A shining example of screwball comedy, Howard Hawks’ HIS GIRL FRIDAY still crackles with energy almost 80 years after its release. When hard-boiled newspaper editor Walter (Cary Grant) learns that his ex-wife and ex-star reporter Hildy (Rosalind Russell) is about to marry a bland insurance salesman, he reignites her journalist’s passion for uncovering the truth by roping her into a meaty story. The chemistry between Grant and Russell is fierce - and Russell’s Hildy exhibits a brand of feminism far more modern than that of the usual 40s leading lady.

Campy noir two-hander DINETTE is a creation of Toronto’s all-woman sketch comedy troupe The Templeton Philharmonic. This short film transports us to a 1948 diner for a meeting between Marlene, who has a secret, and Georgia who knows the truth and is none too pleased about it. Deftly deploying pitch-perfect 1940s fast-talking dialogue, the duo tease out the dissonance between the decorum expected of ladies in polite society and the dark deeds they’re really capable of.

Films @ Sundown (9:15pm)
Eats & Treats @ 6pm by The Arepa Republic & popcorn at the festival canteen

Free / PWYC (suggested donation $10), not a ticketed event
BYOBlanket
Accessible venue
Films are screened with captioning
More info at ChristiePitsff.com

HIS GIRL FRIDAY (Howard Hawks, 1940)
With short film DINETTE (Gwynne Phillips and Christopher Lazar, 2017)

Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is grateful to Major Sponsors Warby Parker, Fiesta Farms, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Waterfront Toronto for their support of our signature series, Christie Pits Film Festival.