His Girl Friday takes place in the supposedly "Dark Ages of Reporting," when reporters would do anything short of murder to get a story. The film does, however, reassure viewers that this should bear no resemblance to reporters of today. After the beginning description of the setting and reassurances, the audience watches as Hildegaard "Hildy" Johnson comes in, and she leaves Bruce, her new fiancy, in the outer office. He says that even those ten minutes will be a long time to be away from her.

Everyone in the newspaper office is excited to see Hildy, and she goes in to see her ex-husband, Walter Burns. Louis, a thief, is there with Walter and says that he is retired. They both light up cigarettes while Hildy tells Walter they haven't seen each other in about four months. Hildy tells him that she never dreams...