The film features one of veronica lakes first leading roles. Mar 22, 20 sullivan s travels 1941 90 min adventure comedy drama december 1941 usa a director of escapist films goes on the road as a hobo to learn about life. Your teams premium access agreement is expiring soon. Veronica lake, william demarest, porter hall, margaret hayes, joel mccrea, and victor potel in sullivan s travels 1941. Sullivans travels 1941 stream and watch online moviefone. Advised by his servants that the poor resent having the rich intrude upon them, sullivan escapes his retinue and continues his travels incognito. Sullivans travels veronica lake joel mccrea part 1 video. When all he finds is a train ride back to hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion, he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he. Criterion produced a bluray version, which was released in the u.
Sullivans travels is a 19421 american comedy film written and directed by. O f the eight films that preston sturges wrote and directed at paramount from 1939 through 1944, in a run of creative profligacy never since equaled in the united states, only the fourth, sullivans travels 1941, tells the story of a man who can be identified with sturges by trade. It starts off with joel mccrea s sullivan, a director of farces who wants to get serious with a script called o brother, where art thou. Sullivan s travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout. The film was rereleased in the uk with a restored print on may 12, 2000.
Sullivans travels 1941 directed by preston sturges. Renew now overviewdownload historypurchase historyinvoices boards sign out. Much like the comedysurfeited hero of preston sturgess sullivans travels, he wants to do something. Sullivan s travels was not as immediately successful at the box office as.
Sullivans travels is a 1941 american comedy film written and directed by preston sturges. Sullivans travels, lobbycard, from left, veronica lake, joel mccrea, 1941. An escapist comedy about a hollywood director known for making only lightweight comedies who now wants to make a socially responsible film about human suffering and hardship during depression era america, holds up quite well today and contains many memorable sequences. I had to hold myself back from comparing it alongside todays film studios and mores which proves that its timeless. Its moral, depending on your point of view, is either 1 hard living and arrogance can level the career of even the most promising tv. With its almost shakespearean combination of uproarious comedy and grim tragedy, sullivans travels is sturges masterpiece and one of the finest movies about movies ever made. The first part of the film, which details the botched attempts of idealistic film director john sullivan joel mccrea to leave hollywood, smoothly blends outrageous slapstick with. Lesli linka glatter announces todays afi movie club pick.
A poster for preston sturges 1941 drama sullivans travels. Nov 09, 2000 sullivan s travels was probably his masterpiece. After his producers point out that he knows nothing of hardship, sullivan hits the road disguised as a hobo. But sullivan s studio transforms his odyssey into a publicity stunt, providing the wouldbe nomad with a luxury van, complete with butler robert greig and valet. Sullivan dreams of making a film called brother, where art thou, dealing with the misery of the povertystricken, and convinces the studio executives to allow him to do research by traveling crosscountry disguised as a hobo. En route to enlightenment, he encounters a lovely but nononsense young woman veronica. Sullivan joel mccrea decides to make o brother, where art thou. But sullivans studio transforms his odyssey into a publicity stunt, providing the wouldbe nomad with a luxury van, complete with butler robert greig and valet.
Sullivans travel s1941 is considered by many film historians to be director preston sturges finest film. The sweetest, most generoushearted satire of the hollywood film industry the town has ever produced, sullivans travels was the fourth of the eight films preston sturges made during his astonishingly prolific streak between 1940 and 1944. I have my certification as a certified travel counselor ctc, as well as being a graduate of the irish tourist board shamrock club, and a certified sandals specialist. Catholic digest the comic genius preston sturges believed that laughter is the best medicine, and that what people in hard times want is to forget their troubles and escape for 90 minutes or so into a world of lighthearted comedy, snappy repartee and slapstick silliness. Even better, the delay means sullivans travels lands right when were all preparing for thanksgiving, and despite the big swamp of family dysfunction the holiday has come to signify for most of us, the adventures of one john l.
Sullivans travels is a curious but effective mixture of grim tragedy, slapstick of the key stone brand and smart, triggerfast comedy. Sullivans travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout. Released january 22nd, 1941, sullivans travels stars joel mccrea, veronica lake, robert warwick, william demarest the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 31 min, and received a score of out of. Sullivans travels the current the criterion collection. Sullivan s travels is a 1941 american comedy film written and directed by preston sturges. Even though grounded in 1930s depressionera anxieties, hobo camps and issues, the film still charms today maybe even more so, considering how much range of emotion writerdirector preston sturges evokes, from hilarity to horror, while.
Sullivans travels 1941, directed by preston sturges. Hail the conquering hero, miracle of morgans creek and also the palm beach story and christmas in july, on the other hand, are sturges at the top of his game in the wit and. Even the most abhorrent of todays modern audiences will be sucked into its spell. Jun 30, 2015 sullivans travels is a film thats aged extremely well. You can see the influences this film has had tonally with spielberg, hill, and the coens. The most ambitious of preston sturges string of 1940s classics, sullivan s travels is a brilliant mixture of genres, combining giddy comedy with often brutal realism, made all the more powerful by the contrast. Oh brother where art thou and has been the target of decades of aborted remake attempts, is one of the finest movies about the movies ever made. Sullivans travels is 72 years old but could have been made yesterday, given how fresh and effervescent it still seems to modern eyes. Sullivans travels 1941, directed by preston sturges film. Apr 14, 2015 sullivan s travels gives you all this, plus the utterly unexpected journeys into shantytowns in a prolonged and entirely dialoguefree sequence, prison camps, and the black church. Sullivans travels 1941 a newly available from the criterion collection see product notes sdg original source. Sullivan s travels, starring joel mccrea and veronica lake is the story of a hollywood director who s tired of making feel good films and decides to travel america as a hobo so that he can truly understand the tragic situation of the poor lower classes so that he can make a powerful drama. Sullivans travels 1941 90 min adventure comedy drama december 1941 usa a director of escapist films goes on the road as a hobo to learn.
Sullivan s travels has the reputation as sturges best film, which is a shame, because it is the formal changes of tone that impresses more than much of the content. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youve provided to them or that theyve collected from your use of their services. Deserving of eternal veneration as the first screenwriter to decisively break through as a director, sturges paved the way for the likes of john huston. The coen brothers got the title for their film o brother, where art thou. With joel mccrea, veronica lake, robert warwick, william demarest. Let us guide you on on the right path for a fantastic dream vacation. Nearly 70 years later, sullivans travels still holds up as one of the best dramatic comedies ever made. Sullivans travels is far less classical in its construction than the lady eve, more direct in its central message, and no less mischievous because of ita treasure of satire and an entertaining case study in incipient postmodernism at hollywoods door. Even though grounded in 1930s depressionera anxieties, hobo camps and issues, the film still charms today maybe even more so, considering how much range of emotion writerdirector preston sturges evokes, from hilarity to horror. The title is taken from jonathan swifts classic tale of selfdiscovery, gullivers travels 1726. Dedicated to all the funny men and clowns that make people laugh, sullivans travels was written and directed by the prodigiously talented preston sturges, one of hollywoods comic masters. The creator of lady eve brings you his latest and most lilting laughfest sullivan is a successful, spoiled, and naive director of fluff films, with a heartogold, who decides he wants to make a film about the troubles of the downtrodden poor.
Sullivans travels has the reputation as sturges best film, which is a shame, because it is the formal changes of tone that impresses more than much of the content. May 12, 2000 dedicated to all the funny men and clowns that make people laugh, sullivan s travels was written and directed by the prodigiously talented preston sturges, one of hollywood s comic masters. In sullivans travels, one virtuoso shot during the initial conversation with the studio executives lasts more than four minutes, but thanks in part to the engrossing, rapidfire dialogue it doesnt seem forced or drawn out. Joel mccrea and sultry veronica lake star in this starkly realistic yet highly humorous satire from oscar winning writerdirector preston sturges. Aug 23, 2014 sullivans travels 1942 this is my contribution to the build your own blogathon hosted by the fantastic classic film and tv cafe. Released january 22nd, 1941, sullivan s travels stars joel mccrea, veronica lake, robert warwick, william demarest the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 31 min, and received a score of out of. Hailed by critics as preston sturges masterpiece, sullivan s travels reveals the wonderful insight and artistry of one of hollywoods finest directors. In the midst of the brutality and despair, the young director makes a valuable discovery that what the downtrodden need most is laughter. The acting is amazing, especially from the stunning veronica lake, and theres so much packed into a 90minute package. A poster for preston sturges 1941 drama sullivans travels starring veronica lake and joel mccrea. Nov 24, 2010 even better, the delay means sullivan s travels lands right when were all preparing for thanksgiving, and despite the big swamp of family dysfunction the holiday has come to signify for most of us, the adventures of one john l. Original release trailer of the film sullivans travels 1941, directed by preston sturges. Sullivans travels was an instant hit when it opened, despite or maybe because of the infamous japanese sneak attack on pearl harbor dominating headlines. A hollywood director, john l sullivan, sets out to experience life as a poor, homeless person in order to gain relevant life experience for his next movie.
It is a satire about hollywoods top director of comedies, played by joel mccrea, who longs to make a socially relevant drama, but eventually learns that creating laughter is his greatest contribution to society. Sturges is aided greatly by the work of cinematographer john seitz 18931979, one of hollywood s finest cameramen of. In sullivan s travels, one virtuoso shot during the initial conversation with the studio executives lasts more than four minutes, but thanks in part to the engrossing, rapidfire dialogue it doesnt seem forced or drawn out. Renew now overview download historypurchase historyinvoices boards sign out. Sturges is aided greatly by the work of cinematographer john seitz 18931979, one of hollywoods finest cameramen of. If sullivan s travels mounts an argument for anything, it s complexity and ambition in filmmaking, as practiced by an artist who is, unlike sullivan, rather. Sullivan, convinced he wont be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to know trouble firsthand. Whatever, sullivan s travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout. You couldnt tell from this trailer, which completely obscures the plot, or the obfuscating ad campaign veronica lake is on the take. Much to the chagrin of his producers, he sets off in tramps clothing with a single. Sullivans travels, american dramedy film, released in 1941, considered by many to be director preston sturgess finest film. Hail the conquering hero, miracle of morgan s creek and also the palm beach story and christmas in july, on the other hand, are sturges at the top of his game in the wit and. Sullivan s travels was an instant hit when it opened, despite or maybe because of the infamous japanese sneak attack on pearl harbor dominating headlines. Sullivans travels joel mccrea veronica lake robert warwick 1942 a hollywood directors desire to produce a film about real people and human suffering leads him on an odyssey as a hobo.
A poster for preston sturges 1941 adventure film sullivans travels starring joel mccrea and veronica lake. The seriocomic adventures of a movie director trying to add meaning to his films. If you have any questions or comments, just email us using the form, below. I first saw sullivans travels over a decade ago, it was the one of the sturges films that got written about the most so it was the first one i pulled out of the boxset of his work id bought on reputation alone at a time i couldnt really afford to do stuff like that. The rest of the paramount protagonists are grifters and politicians, office clerks, inventors, army dropouts. It is a satire about a movie director, played by joel mccrea, who longs to make a socially relevant drama, but eventually learns that comedies are his more valuable contribution to society. A movie about moviemaking, it comes as close as any sturges picture ever did to offering a personal mission statementto the degree that the eternally facetious sturges, a robust and repeated censorbaiter. With such an aura of legend around it i expected a lot and it delivered. Sullivans travels, lobbycard, from left, veronica lake, joel mccrea. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. With its almost shakespearean combination of uproarious comedy and grim tragedy, sullivans travels is sturges masterpiece and one of the. Sullivans travels 19 movie clip with a little sex in. Sullivan and i have been in the travel business since 1990. The plot involves john lloyd sullivan played by joel mccrea, a pampered.
Sullivans travels furthered my love of veronica lake who i grow to enjoy with every film and convinced me to seek out the rest of preston sturges films. Sullivans travels has an entry in so many best of or top ten lists that to name them would be ridiculous. Writerdirector preston sturgess third feature, 1941s sullivans travels, remains the antic auteurs most ambitious. As sully treads the road dressed in a hobo outfit from the studio costume department, a fullyequipped land yacht, complete with. The most ambitious of preston sturges string of 1940s classics, sullivans travels is a brilliant mixture of genres, combining giddy comedy with often brutal realism, made all the more powerful by the contrast. My husband john and i started our own travel agency sullivan s travels in 1999.
Pdf download sullivans city the meaning of ornament for louis sullivan norton. In this comedic masterpiece, a wealthy director joel mccrea wants to find real people for his next great film costarring veronica lake. This account has reached the download cap, additional downloads subject to agreement overage terms. Whatever, sullivans travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. Sullivan joel mccrea sets out to make a serious picture to be titled o brother. Sullivan will remind us that maybe we really should take a moment to be thankful for what he have in these troubled.
Sullivans travels may be, in fact, a cautionary tale. A poster for preston sturges 1941 adventure film sullivans. Tired of churning out lightweight comedies, hollywood director john l. Hailed by critics as preston sturges masterpiece, sullivan s travels reveals the wonderful insight and artistry of one of hollywood s finest directors. A poster for preston sturges 1941 adventure film sullivan s travels starring veronica lake. Over each of the last twenty days, a different blog has written about a movie that must somehow connect to the previous days film. Entertainment als verschleierung sozialer ungleichheiten sullivans travels, 1942. It is written and directed by preston sturges, who. Joel mccrae, veronica lake, robert warwick, william demarest, franklin pangborn, porter hall sullivan. Sullivans travels 1941 opening title sequence youtube. Sullivan s travels is a 19421 american comedy film written and directed by preston sturges.
Joel mccrea and sultry veronica lake star in this humorous comedy from preston sturges about a hollywood director who disguises himself as a bum in order. Hailed by critics as preston sturges masterpiece, sullivans travels reveals the wonderful insight and artistry of one of hollywoods finest directors. Jun 17, 2014 the coen brothers got the title for their film o brother, where art thou. In this exclusive afi archive video, steven spielberg talks about sullivans travels and its enduring message.
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