Sullivan’s Travels (1941)

Sullivan’s Travels
Written and Directed by Preston Sturges
1941/USA
Paramount Pictures
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
#156 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] John L. Sullivan: I want this picture to be a commentary on modern conditions. Stark realism. The problems that confront the average man!

LeBrand: But with a little sex in it.[/box]

Hollywood made many good movies about making movies and this is one of the very best.

Given the state of world affairs, director John L. Sullivan is fed up with making comedies and decides to make a socially relevant film about the downtrodden called Oh, Brother Where Art Thou.  Studio executives, not wanting to lose their cash cow, point out that Sullivan knows nothing about the poor or their problems.  He recognizes the justice of this and sets off in picturesque hobo rags looking for trouble.  At first, due to the ever vigilant studio watch dogs, all he finds is his way back to Hollywood where he meets a struggling would-be actress (Veronica Lake) to share his journey.  When Sullivan sets out alone on his farewell venture to give money to the poor, however, he finds all the trouble he could ask for and much more.  With the regular Sturges stock company including William Demerest as a press agent, Eric Blore as Sullivan’s valet, Robert Grieg as his butler, and Jimmy Conlin as a prison trustee.

I adore Preston Sturges, Joel McCrea, and this movie.  It is more serious than most of Sturges’ comedies so it took me more than one viewing to fully warm up to it but now my admiration is unreserved.  Even the dead-pan Veronica Lake warms up a bit and gives probably her best performance.  This film has it all: razor-sharp dialogue; hilarious slapstick; romance; pathos; and a message.  It is truly a picture that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Trailer