More than three decades ago, Ron Howard decided that a story about a fictional New York City tabloid newspaper was his kind. The paper It centers on Michael Keaton – in his third film with Howard – as Henry Hackett, a Metro editor New York Sunwho navigates a diverse roster of colleagues, including his managing nemesis Alicia Clarke (Glenn Close), on a 24-hour shift to get that day’s edition to newsstands.
After being directed by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in the 1990s Far and awayHoward was keen to make a film about a newspaper reminiscent of titles like Cary Grant’s 1940 comedy His girl Friday. Steven Spielberg introduced Howard to Jurassic Park Screenwriter David Koepp, who was working on the screenplay for The paper With Brother Stephen Koepp, A time Magazine editor. After reading the script for the film, which revolves around a male-dominated newsroom, Howard appreciated the balance between comedy, drama, suspense and storytelling. THR He did give one key remark: “Glenn’s part was written as a male character, but David and Stephen liked my idea of casting Glenn without changing one attitude, behavior or line.”
Marisa Tomei, Randy Quaid, and Robert Duvall assembled the film’s cast, which included cameos from Graydon Carter and other notable media figures. To prepare, Howard spent time in real newspaper newsrooms Daily news and New York Post He studied Broadway comedy in 1928 front page This was the basis for His girl Friday.
Pivotal scene in The paper It involves Keaton and Close getting into a fight over a controversial front-page story, and Howard recalls Keaton pulling him aside after a few takes of their fight: “He said, ‘Ron, if you can, hold down the take count because Glenn’s doing his best. And let me tell you, it’s pretty intense!’ ”
Global release The paper On March 18, 1984, it grossed $48 million at the global box office ($107 million today). THRThe review praised the feature as “tight and entertaining” with a “remarkable cast”. Although he was disappointed that the film did not do well at the box office, Howard notes that it over-performed “in the Seven Cities where newspapers are still culturally important.” He adds: “I still hear good things about it, especially from actors and journalists, which always makes me proud.”
This story appeared in the May 6 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
