THE FRONT PAGE was the  restoration West Coast premiere of the rediscovered “American” release version, and COCK OF THE AIR will be a restoration world premiere of the original uncensored “Pre-Code” release version. Watch videos from the event and a bonus video of how it was preserved below.

THE FRONT PAGE

When Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur adapted their play for the screen in the early 1930s, the fast-paced dialogue and frantic comedy were even more effective than they had been on the stage. Their characters epitomized a Depression-era toughness and brilliantly drew upon the slang of the time.

Set in the competitive and cynical world of newspaper reporters as they await the hanging of a man whose conviction was politically convenient, the film follows Hildy Johnson (Pat O’Brien), an investigative reporter.  Finding himself caught between a desire to stay and cover the story or leave and marry his fiancée (Mary Brian), Hildy tries to fight off the manipulations of his controlling editor (Adolphe Menjou).

The Front Page was restored from a 35mm safety composite print and sound on disc elements. This 4K digital restoration represents the American domestic release, which has not been seen in decades. Previously circulating copies originate from an international version. When compared to these copies, the American release contains more sophisticated editing of picture and sound, alternate dialogue and different scene composition. 

The Front Page was restored in 2016 by the Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation. Restoration funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation. Elements for this restoration provided by The Howard Hughes Corporation, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts, Department of Film and its Howard Hughes Collection at the Academy Film Archive.

Directed by Lewis Milestone. Presented by Howard Hughes. Written by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, based on their play. 

Cast: Adolphe Menjou, Pat O’Brien, Mary Brian, Edward Everett Horton, Walter L. Catlett, George E. Stone, Mae Clarke, Slim Summerville.

98 minutes. 35mm

COCK OF THE AIR

The comedy Cock of the Air was produced by Howard Hughes just prior to the strict censorship enforcement of the Production Code Administration. After the censors got hold of the film for re-release, they changed or eliminated the dialogue of certain scenes. 

Written by Robert E. Sherwood and Charles Lederer, the film tells the story of temperamental French actress Lilli de Rosseau (Billie Dove), whose beauty  is distracting Allied diplomats during World War I. The powers that be send her to Italy, where she meets American pilot and womanizer Lieutenant Roger Craig (Chester Morris). Although they are at first wary of each other, the couple slowly but surely falls in love. 

Cock of the Air was restored from elements from the Academy Film Archive, including a 35mm nitrate fine-grain picture master of the uncensored version and a 35mm nitrate soundtrack negative of the censored version. To recreate the lost dialogue, the Governors of the Academy’s Casting Branch collaborated to cast contemporary actors to perform missing censored dialogue as originally written in the style of the original actors, and their new recordings were edited in to create a “restored” soundtrack. The recreations were performed by Hamish Linklater, Ever Carradine, JB Blanc, and others.

Directed by Tom Buckingham. Produced by Howard Hughes. Written by Robert E. Sherwood and Charles Lederer. 

Cast: Chester Morris, Billie Dove, Matt Moore, Walter Catlett, Luis Alberni, Katya Sergeiva, Yola d’Avril.

80 minutes. DCP. 

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