In Preston Sturges' classic comedy of Depression-era America, filmmaker John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), fed up with directing profitable comedies like Ants in Your Plants of 1939, is consumed with the desire to make a serious social statement in his upcoming film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Unable to function in the rarefied .. Read more
| Starring | Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Veronica lake, Robert Warwick |
|---|---|
| Director | Preston Sturges |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Comedy, Romance |
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In Preston Sturges' classic comedy of Depression-era America, filmmaker John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), fed up with directing profitable comedies like Ants in Your Plants of 1939, is consumed with the desire to make a serious social statement in his upcoming film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Unable to function in the rarefied atmosphere of Hollywood, Sullivan decides to hit the road, disguised as a tramp, and touch base with the real people of America. But Sullivan's studio transforms his odyssey into a publicity stunt, providing the would-be nomad with a luxury van, complete with butler (Robert Greig) and valet (Eric Blore). Advised by his servants that the poor resent having the rich intrude upon them, Sullivan escapes his retinue and continues his travels incognito. En route, he meets a down-and-out failed actress (Veronica Lake). Experiencing firsthand the scroungy existence of real-life hoboes, Sullivan returns to Hollywood full of bleeding-heart fervor. After first arranging for the girl's screen test, he heads for the railyards, intending to improve the lot of the local rail-riders and bindlestiffs by handing out ten thousand dollars in five-dollar bills. Instead, Sullivan is coldcocked by a tramp, who steals Sullivan's clothes and identification. When the tramp is run over by a speeding train, the world at large is convinced that the great John L. Sullivan is dead. Meanwhile, the dazed Sullivan, dressed like a bum with no identification on his person, is arrested and put to work on a brutal Southern chain gang. With its almost Shakespearean combination of uproarious comedy and grim tragedy, Sullivan's Travels is Sturges' masterpiece and one of the finest movies about movies ever made.~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
| Starring | Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Veronica lake, Robert Warwick, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn |
|---|---|
| Director | Preston Sturges |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 27 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Comedy, Romance |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | Production year: 1941 To Rent: DVD: 02 Oct 2006 |
A gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout.
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A Blast From The Past
If you've never heard or seen any of the director Preston Sturge's films you'll be pleasantly surprised by this film: it's up there with the ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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Sullivan's Realisation
What role do comedy films have during a war? Shouldn’t all efforts be made into making propaganda to help the war effort at home and at the front? This is ... read more »
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HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES
Superior seriocomic look at the dire poverty resulting from generalized economic recession. This is a self-reflexive work from a director (Preston STURGES) ... read more »
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Dated, but then it is from 1941!
I couldn't watch it to the end I'm afraid. Lots of expostion,maybe I should have stayed with it, but life's too short.
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