The Front Page

You don't need another list of "underrated comedies" — The Front Page earns the label on its own. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 388 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Jack Lemmon is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Front Page is worth clearing space for. The Front Page gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Ruthless Chicago newspaper editor Walter Burns resorts to dubious motives in order to get top reporter Hildy Johnson to cover one more big crime story before retirement. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau lead a cast with the timing to make it work. The Front Page came out in 1974. What keeps The Front Page from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

The Front Page is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Jack Lemmon's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.

The Front Page was released in 1974, directed by Billy Wilder. The full 105-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.