Sullivan's Travels (1941)

Director:

Preston Sturges

Writer:

Preston Sturges (written by)

Release Date:

December 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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!

Plot:

A director of escapist films goes on the road as a hobo to learn about Life...which gives him a rude awakening.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Writer Director | Male Female Relationship | Amnesia | Director

Awards:

1 win

Cast

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

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

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:

Bob Hope Airport - 2627 Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

John L. Sullivan plans to make a movie entitled "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" - a title borrowed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for their 2000 film.

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!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Numb3rs: Atomic No. 33 (#4.16)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Let My People Go

There's a lot to be said for making people laugh

This movie is, simply, one of the best Hollywood ever made.

From the marvelous collection of great actors, with one of the greatest of motion picture directors, to an intelligent script by the director, Preston Sturges, everything comes together to produce a wonderful story wonderfully told.

Veronica Lake has probably never been more charming.

Joel McCrea is and always has been one of my favorite actors and he is great in this, for him, somewhat unusual role.

All the supporting players, including William Demarest, Eric Blore, Jimmy Conlin, Al Bridge, and Richard Webb, are ... well, perfect.

I hope this is no spoiler, but the scene at the church is one of the most touching and moving I have ever viewed. I'm amazed that Hollywood could capture the pathos so well. It made Sullivan's eventual point and should make that same point to movie producers and audiences alike.

As a film school student, I was taught that when people make lists of "greatest movies," seldom are comedies included.

"Sullivan's Travels" helps dispel the notion a comedy can't be great. It is both significant and thoroughgoing entertainment.