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Sullivan's Travels (1941)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Preston Sturges (written by)
Release Date:
December 1941 (USA)
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Tagline:
A Happy-Go Lucky Hitch-Hiker on the Highway to happiness! He wanted to see the world . . . but wound up in Lover's Lane! more
Plot:
A director of escapist films goes on the road as a hobo to learn about Life...which gives him a rude awakening. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win
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User Comments:
A tribute to the art of comedy
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Joel McCrea | ... | John L. Lloyd 'Sully' Sullivan |
 | Veronica Lake | ... | The Girl |
| Robert Warwick | ... | Mr. Lebrand |
| William Demarest | ... | Mr. Jones |
| Franklin Pangborn | ... | Mr. Casalsis |
| Porter Hall | ... | Mr. Hadrian |
| Byron Foulger | ... | Mr. Johnny Valdelle |
| Margaret Hayes | ... | Secretary |
| Robert Greig | ... | Burroughs (Sullivan's butler) |
| Eric Blore | ... | Sullivan's valet |
| Torben Meyer | ... | The doctor |
| Victor Potel | ... | Cameraman |
| Richard Webb | ... | Radio man |
| Charles R. Moore | ... | Colored chef (as Charles Moore) |
| Almira Sessions | ... | Ursula Kornheiser |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
90 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Australia:PG |
South Korea:12 (2004) |
Finland:K-16 |
Sweden:11 (re-release) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:A (original rating) |
UK:PG (re-rating) (2000) |
USA:Approved (PCA #7382)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Reportedly, Preston Sturges got the idea for the movie from stories of John Garfield living the life of a hobo, riding freight trains and hitchhiking his way cross-country for a short period in the 1930s.
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Goofs:
Plot holes: When the identification card in the dead man's boots was used to confirm Sullivan's death, the girl knew that his boots had previously been stolen.
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Quotes:
[discussing a prior 'serious' film]
LeBrand: It died in Pittsburgh.
Hadrian: Like a dog!
John L. Sullivan: Aw, what do they know in Pittsburgh...
Hadrian: They know what they like.
John L. Sullivan: If they knew what they liked, they wouldn't live in Pittsburgh!
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LeBrand: It died in Pittsburgh.
Hadrian: Like a dog!
John L. Sullivan: Aw, what do they know in Pittsburgh...
Hadrian: They know what they like.
John L. Sullivan: If they knew what they liked, they wouldn't live in Pittsburgh!
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Simpsons: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (#2.15)" (1991)
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Soundtrack:
Spring Song
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FAQ
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After the opening credits, the film opens with the following statement.
"To the memory of those who made us laugh: the motley mountebanks, the clowns, the buffoons, in all times and in all nations whose efforts have lightened our burden a little, this picture is affectionately dedicated."
With this film, Preston Sturges made one of the smartest and most insightful comedies ever to come out of Hollywood, in which he especially held up the mirror to Tinseltown itself. A Hollywood variation on Gulliver's Travels, it's the tale of Hollywood director John Sullivan (Joel McCrea), tired of making Hollywood Fluff, who wants to branch out with a socially conscious epic, called "O Brother, Where Art Thou", and sets out to research the meaning of poverty. His studio bosses (very funny roles by Robert Warwick and Porter Hall) try to tell him it's a ridiculous idea but Sullivan insists, puts on some hobo clothes and sets out to see what it's like to experience poverty and suffering. The studio soon sees it as potential publicity stunt and sent an entire crew to follow him around during his trip.
Some very enjoyable references to socially conscious movie-making, to Ernst Lubitch in particular, make this particularly fun with some knowledge of the period and the films mentioned, albeit not necessary. And almost worth seeing alone for Veronica Lake's memorable performance as a failed starlet.
According to Sturges, the film did contain a little "message":
"SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS is the result of an urge, an urge to tell some of my fellow filmwrights that they were getting a little too deep-dish and to leave the preaching to the preachers."
By any means, he made a uniquely self-reflective comedy about Hollywood with wonderful characterizations and superlative performances. A brilliant satire with a "message" just as poignant as ever.
Camera Obscura --- 9/10