1939
Star reporter Hildy Johnson informs her ex-husband and editor, Walter Burns, of her plan to marry Bruce Baldwin and leave journalism, but Walter manipulates her into covering the execution of Earl Williams. Williams accidentally escapes during Hildy's interview, prompting a manhunt and political corruption, while Hildy and Walter conspire to hide Williams for an exclusive story and Walter simultaneously tries to prevent Hildy's marriage. The scheme unravels when Williams is recaptured and the Mayor and Sheriff's corruption is exposed, leading to Bruce's release. Hildy realizes her passion for journalism and love for Walter, reconciling and remarrying him, despite Walter's immediate attempt to manipulate her again by framing Bruce.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Hildy Johnson arrives at the Morning Post to leave journalism behind and marry Bruce Baldwin, but Walter Burns lures her back with the explosive Earl Williams story.
Open full beat sheetHildy Johnson is listed as Reporter. Former star reporter for the Morning Post, recently divorced from Walter Burns. In the parsed data, Hildy Johnson is connected to 35 scenes, 157 dialogue lines, 164 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
35 scenes / 157 dialogue linesWalter Burns is listed as Editor. Editor of the Morning Post, manipulative and driven. In the parsed data, Walter Burns is connected to 22 scenes, 107 dialogue lines, 112 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
22 scenes / 107 dialogue linesBruce Baldwin is listed as Insurance Salesman. Hildy's fiancé, kind and naive. In the parsed data, Bruce Baldwin is connected to 13 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 25 dialogue linesEndicott is listed as Reporter. A reporter in the Press Room. In the parsed data, Endicott is connected to 12 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
12 scenes / 35 dialogue linesMurphy is listed as Reporter. A reporter in the Press Room. In the parsed data, Murphy is connected to 11 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 29 dialogue linesMcCue is listed as Reporter. A reporter in the Press Room. In the parsed data, McCue is connected to 11 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 20 dialogue linesLouie is listed as Henchman. Walter Burns' loyal and somewhat dim-witted associate. In the parsed data, Louie is connected to 11 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
11 scenes / 15 dialogue linesWilson is listed as Reporter. A reporter in the Press Room. In the parsed data, Wilson is connected to 11 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 14 dialogue linesSchwartz is listed as Reporter. A reporter in the Press Room. In the parsed data, Schwartz is connected to 11 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 12 dialogue linesSheriff Hartman is listed as Sheriff. Corrupt sheriff concerned with re-election. In the parsed data, Sheriff Hartman is connected to 10 scenes, 38 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
10 scenes / 38 dialogue linesBensinger is listed as Reporter. A fastidious reporter for the Tribune. In the parsed data, Bensinger is connected to 9 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
9 scenes / 12 dialogue linesEarl Williams is listed as Fugitive. A man accused of shooting a policeman, hiding from the law. In the parsed data, Earl Williams is connected to 7 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
7 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMrs. Baldwin is listed as Bruce's Mother. Bruce's overbearing and protective mother. In the parsed data, Mrs. Baldwin is connected to 5 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
5 scenes / 21 dialogue linesDuffy is listed as City Editor. City Editor of the Morning Post. In the parsed data, Duffy is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMollie Malloy is listed as Witness. A woman who sympathizes with Earl Williams. In the parsed data, Mollie Malloy is connected to 4 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
4 scenes / 26 dialogue linesPinkus is listed as Messenger. A slow-witted messenger from the State House. In the parsed data, Pinkus is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMayor is listed as Mayor. Corrupt city mayor. In the parsed data, Mayor is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesHildy Johnson arrives at the Morning Post office to visit her ex-husband, Walter Burns, while Bruce Baldwin waits for her.
Hildy Johnson, Bruce Baldwin, Duffy, LouieHildy walks through the busy City Room, greeting former colleagues on her way to Walter's office.
Hildy JohnsonHildy confronts Walter Burns about her resignation and her upcoming marriage to Bruce Baldwin.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Duffy, LouieHildy and Burns discuss her upcoming marriage to Bruce and decide to meet him.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsBurns and Hildy walk toward the City Room.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsBurns and Hildy walk through the City Room to the anteroom.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, DuffyBurns mistakenly greets a messenger as Bruce Baldwin.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Bruce Baldwin, PinkusThe trio has lunch while Burns manipulates Hildy into taking a story.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Bruce BaldwinHildy prepares to leave for the Press Room while Walter Burns manipulates Bruce Baldwin into accepting a certified check as a debt of honor.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Bruce BaldwinHildy arrives at the Press Room, reunites with the reporters, and begins covering the Earl Williams story.
Hildy Johnson, Bensinger, Endicott, Murphy, Wilson, SchwartzWalter Burns continues to manipulate Bruce, convincing him that he loves Hildy and that the check is a debt of honor.
Walter Burns, Bruce Baldwin, Duffy, LouieHildy plays poker with the reporters and talks to Bruce on the phone, instructing him to hide the check in his hat.
Hildy Johnson, Bruce Baldwin, Bensinger, Endicott, Murphy, WilsonHildy bribes Warden Cooley to get an interview with Earl Williams.
Hildy Johnson, Sheriff HartmanBruce is accosted by Louie on the street.
Bruce Baldwin, LouieHildy interviews Earl Williams in his cell about his beliefs and the shooting.
Hildy Johnson, Earl Williams, Sheriff HartmanReporters play poker and discuss Hildy's marriage; Mollie Malloy confronts them.
Hildy Johnson, Mollie Malloy, Bensinger, Endicott, Murphy, WilsonSheriff Hartman and Dr. Egelhoffer discuss the execution and media strategy.
Earl Williams, Sheriff HartmanHildy secures Bruce's release from jail.
Hildy Johnson, Bruce BaldwinHildy and Bruce ride to the courthouse; Hildy plans to finish her story.
Hildy Johnson, Bruce BaldwinHildy tells Bruce to wait in the cab while she goes into the building.
Hildy Johnson, Bruce BaldwinReporters discuss Hildy's interview and her impending marriage; Hildy arrives and calls Walter Burns.
Hildy Johnson, Bensinger, Endicott, Murphy, Wilson, SchwartzEgelhoffer reenacts the crime with Earl Williams, leading to an accidental escape.
Earl Williams, Sheriff HartmanReporters realize Earl Williams has escaped and scramble to report the news.
Hildy Johnson, Bensinger, Endicott, Murphy, Wilson, SchwartzReporters and the Mayor confront Sheriff Hartman about the fugitive Earl Williams, while Schwartz reports on the political fallout.
Endicott, Sheriff Hartman, Mayor, Murphy, Schwartz, PinkusThe Mayor fires Sheriff Hartman, then they receive a reprieve for Earl Williams from Pinkus, which they decide to suppress.
Sheriff Hartman, Mayor, PinkusHildy retrieves her money from Louie, then discovers Earl Williams hiding in the room.
Hildy Johnson, Louie, Earl WilliamsHildy talks to Bruce and Walter on the phone, then hides Earl Williams in a desk after Mollie Malloy arrives.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Bruce Baldwin, Earl Williams, Mollie MalloyHildy fakes a fainting spell for Mollie to distract the reporters.
Hildy Johnson, Mollie Malloy, Endicott, Murphy, Wilson, SchwartzMrs. Baldwin arrives, causing suspicion among the reporters.
Hildy Johnson, Mollie Malloy, Mrs. Baldwin, Endicott, Murphy, WilsonWalter Burns arrives and takes charge of the situation.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Louie, Mrs. BaldwinBurns and Hildy prepare to move the desk containing Earl Williams while Hildy writes the story.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsA taxicab carrying Mrs. Baldwin crashes into a police patrol.
Louie, Mrs. BaldwinHildy writes the story while Bruce returns and Burns manages the desk and the reporters.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Bruce Baldwin, Earl Williams, BensingerLouie reports to Hildy and Burns about the failed kidnapping of Mrs. Baldwin, leading to a frantic search for her whereabouts.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, LouieSheriff Hartman and reporters burst into the Press Room, confronting Hildy and Burns, leading to the discovery of a gun.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Sheriff Hartman, Bensinger, Endicott, MurphyMrs. Baldwin and Bruce arrive at the Press Room.
Bruce Baldwin, Mrs. BaldwinMrs. Baldwin enters and accuses Burns of kidnapping her, then reveals that a murderer is hidden in the room.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Sheriff Hartman, Mrs. Baldwin, Bensinger, EndicottThe Sheriff and police capture Earl Williams hiding in a desk while reporters scramble to call in the story.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Duffy, Earl Williams, Sheriff Hartman, BensingerThe Mayor and Sheriff confront Burns and Hildy, but are interrupted by Pinkus delivering a reprieve.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, Sheriff Hartman, Mayor, PinkusHildy decides to stay and write the story; she and Burns reconcile.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsBurns forces a marriage ceremony between himself and Hildy.
Hildy Johnson, Walter Burns, LouieHildy discovers Walter framed Bruce for counterfeiting, leading to a chase.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsHildy chases Walter around a table and throws her bag at him, breaking a glass pane.
Hildy Johnson, Walter BurnsLouie comments on the situation as the film fades out.
LouieWell -- Williams goes a little balmy and begins making speeches on a plan he's got to save the world. Only he makes his speeches, usually, on a very busy street and neglects to get a license for it. Well, the cops let him alone as much as they can because he's harmless and they're kinda sorry for him. But one day he decides to hold a meeting right in the middle of a Veteran's Parade and the cops chase him. He gets scared and goes into hiding. Come in, Dave Schwartz.
No, I'm not back for good. I'm just covering the Earl Williams story for Mr. Sweeney who had a sudden attack of something but will be all right by tomorrow. No, I haven't made up with Walter Burns -- far from it! As a matter of fact, I'm leaving tonight for Albany and I'll be married tomorrow morning. The lucky man is Mr. Bruce Baldwin, a gentleman in the insurance business -- and when I say gentleman, I mean gentleman! Are there any other questions?
His Honor, the Mayor, now comes out with a statement that Earl Williams is a dangerous character in the employ of two or three foreign governments and the police are going to get him dead or alive. Somebody sends out a tip that this guy is hiding in Molly Malloy's joint. And this colored policeman, Daniels, goes over to pick Williams up. Williams has read the papers, thinks the cop is going to kill him and shoots first. That is all.
Don't get technical at a time like this! Do you realize what you've done? You've taken a city that's been graft-ridden for forty years under the same old gang and with this yarn you're kicking 'em out and giving us a chance to have the same kind of government that New York's having under La Guardia! We'll make such monkeys out of these ward-heelers next Tuesday that nobody'll vote for them -- not even their wives!
It's a simple story. Earl Williams works for the E.J. McClosky Manufacturing Company as a bookkeeper for fourteen years. He starts in at twenty dollars a week and gradually works his way up to twenty-two fifty. A year ago the McClosky Company goes out of business and Williams loses his job. Take it away, Fred Wilson!
Oh, get off that trapeze! There's your story! Smear it all over the front page -- Earl Williams caught by the Morning Post! And take all the credit -- I covered your story for you and I got myself in a fine mess doing it -- and now I'm getting out! I know I told you that twice before today -- but this time I mean it!
Well, you'll take care of her. After all, if that doctor's right, I'm going to live for a long time yet. Look, Bruce, this is a debt of honor. I was a very bad husband: Hildy could have got a lot of alimony if she'd wanted to, but she wouldn't take any. She had it coming to her, but she was too independent.
You keep out of this. Bruce, suppose you examine Mr. Burns in his office. I'll get my bag and go over to the Press Room in the Criminal Courts Building. You phone me as soon as Mr. Burns has given you his check. Then I'll go get the interview and you phone Mother that we're taking the six o'clock train.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.