Oriented HDPE films with skin layers

This invention relates to thermoplastic films and more particularly to films of oriented high density polyethylene (HDPE) which have good dead-fold characteristics, twistability, printability and receptivity of water-based coatings. Readily castable high density polyethylene (HDPE) films, preferably containing broad molecular weight distribution HDPE resin having treated upper skin layers and untreated lower skin layers, preferably coextruded, on each side, wherein a particulate cross-linked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane is present in the untreated lower skin layer to reduce coefficient of friction and enhance machinability. The treated upper skin layer is derived from a polymer, e.g., ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer, and the lower skin layer is derived from a polymer such as ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer and LDPE compounded with silicone oil.