A newspaper editor deals with a particularly stressful day in the newsroom.
Deadline Midnight, Punto final
Every line is a zinger and that score is relentless. But its a harmless trifle and interesting to think that Ron Howard nailed the tone this film was going for correctly with his underappreciated gem The Paper.
This movie plays out like a series of television episodes, but because they are directed by Jack Webb that means they are quite watchable, well written and thoroughly engaging. So much of what happens here in this film defies cinematic presumptions of the time and, indeed, appears more in line with films that would not come out until five to ten years later. Also Jack Webb blowing smoke in a person's face is about as good as it gets.
Outstanding direction by Webb. The supporting actors deal with the subject matter with intensity that is highlighted by a tremendous musical score that punctuates the flick with tremendous clarity. We have a bonified near miss masterpiece that hits all the right cords for a late 50's drama that has humor, charm, and intense newspaper flavor. Do not have the movie.
Not the best writing but the performances were compelling enough that I couldn't stop watching. Also helpful was I got to watch it in 1080p on Warner Archive Instant. Gorgeous remaster.
More of a workplace sitcom than any kind of film, but like the serials and dramas of this era there is a class and stoicism to the writing here, which, a few schlocky jokes aside, makes an almost unremarkable night in a single newsroom into an exercise of tension.
It's a rain-soaked night in the life of a big city newspaper. The movie has an odd serio-comic tone, but it's very watchable, with good performances and some genuine feeling. The title -30- is, or used to be a printed signal in the newspaper business that the end of the line has been reached. It's a Jack Webb movie: he directed and stars, but it's a far cry from DRAGNET in terms of his character and acting style. He's very good in fact and so is William Conrad as a cynical, wise-cracking cohort who narrowly misses being truly mean to his underlings. Some recognizable character actors (Howard McNear ,Richard Deacon, Joe Flynn, David Nelson) and several supporting player who carry…
