Hildy Johnson is a confident career woman who can compete with men (and defeat them) in the dog-eat-dog world of journalism. She is even willing to divorce her man if he doesn't treat her right. Yet, at the same time, she seeks the domestic joys of children and caring for her man -- and in the end returns to the rascal whom she left in the first place. What is the role of women in this film? Does it tell us anything about "modern" women in 1940's America?
His Girl Friday steers away from decades old notions of a woman’s place in society by placing Hildy in a position of power and dominance. His Girl Friday revolves heavily on the power dynamics between characters. In the case of Bruce and Hildy, Hildy is clearly the one running the relationship, as she ignores Bruce’s final pleas towards the end of the film. Bruce informs Hildy that he is “taking the 9 o’clock train”, as Hildy furiously types her news story. Bruce shows no sign of backing down, and it appears as if he is going to deliver on his promise. In a complete reversal of the gender roles of the time, Hildy ignores Bruce, and even goes so far as to blame him because, as he talks, she accidentally begins typing Bruce’s words, rather than the story. This response is almost unfathomable, and goes against the standard relationship dynamic of the time, having a man making decisions and the woman reluctantly following. Instead, Hildy pushes back on these stereotypes, not only by making the decisions in the relationship, but also doing so decisively. It is a common stereotype that women can’t make decisions, but in this case, Hildy is just as adamant in her position as Bruce is. Hildy doesn’t go back and forth wondering what is the right decision, and instead remains firm in her stance throughout the altercation. Another instance of the relationship’s power structure shifting towards Hildy, is through the portrayal of Bruce as the stereotypical “damsel in distress.” Bruce is arrested a total of three times in the movie, and although he is set up by Walt, he is depicted as needing constant care, and less self-reliant than Hildy. Hildy, on the contrary, is depicted as an independent female journalist, with goals in mind. Hildy’s goal was to bring justice to the man wrongfully sentenced to death. In other films we have watched, the women are seen as the characters holding the protagonist back. However, it is the exact opposite in this film. Bruce repeatedly holds back Hildy’s progress in reporting her story. Even if you believe that Hildy is still subscribing to the gender roles of the time, by initially pursuing a typical domestic life, she never fails to seem in control of her life. Hildy is portrayed as a confident professional, and her reaching her goals never seems to be in doubt with the film’s viewers.
ReplyDeleteHis Girl Friday flips gender, and what 1940’s audiences perceived it to be, on its head. Because of the strong-willed and whip smart portrayal of the female leading role of Hildy, the film takes on a truly feminist perspective for its time.
ReplyDeleteIn the first few scenes with Hildy, it becomes clear she is an equal to Walter (which was certainly not customary at the time) as displayed by her brilliant dialogue, and her rank in the newspaper as its star reporter. Out of pure interest, I looked up information about the film and found that the movie is based on the play Front Page (also a film prior to HGF), in which Hildy’s character was actually written as a man. It was the idea of Howard Hawks, the director of His Girl Friday, to change this character to a woman – and in turn, the film was a major success.
Though Walter is the editor, and her boss, Hildy is the real talent and Walter demonstrates and basically admits throughout the film that without her he is a ship without a rudder. Within the office, she is adored by the staff and respected for her work. Her looks are never brought up, which is refreshing for the times, but also refreshing right now.
Hildy seems bored by her sweet but dull fiance, whose way of life is much slower and more cautious (displayed by Bruce's much slower talking compared to Hildy and her compatriots, as well as the rainwear he wears on a sunny day), and the prospect of domesticity in her soon-to-be role as wife and possibly mother, although she seems to genuinely want it-or at least want to want it; She clearly does not want to give up her career, however. Or Walter.
I think the portrayal of Hildy as a well-rounded person, is a “modern woman” not only of the 1940’s, but also of the current day. She has ambitions both personally and professionally and she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and ask for what she wants. She is an interesting character, a paradox, whose desires often clash– which is not particular to any sex, but a role with real dimensions. I dare say that the idea of a role originally written for a man, and then given to a woman helped provide depth to this character in a time when women (and writing for women) were still not allowed many of the freedoms that men of their time had, especially with regard to speaking their mind. And in this film, there certainly is a lot of talking.