resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The film in effect preaches a message opposite to its own form and content. Deserving of eternal veneration as the first screenwriter to decisively break through as a director, Sturges paved the way for the likes of John … The world might as well have been two different places when Sturges was conceiving his film and when he got to see how audiences responded. Template:Infobox film Sullivan's Travels is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges. I really object to this analysis that calls Sullivan’s Travels “reactionary” toward the poor and poverty. The Question and Answer section for Sullivan’s Travels is a great Not affiliated with Harvard College. Sullivan's Travels is a thoroughly delightful film in everyway. Keep in mind that Sullivan never poses or even seems to consider this question. Evidently the writer actually wanted to see “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” or that film Sullivan shows at the movie’s beginning about capital and labor fighting and dying on the train. Walt Disney Productions cartoon that is shown is the 1934 short “Playful Pluto.” The film cost $689,665.16 to produce and went $86,665.16 over budget.” (AFI Catalog) NUMB3RS "Atomic No. Sturges was far too intelligent and world-weary a screenwriter to accept the words he has Sullivan speak at face value. But it’s also a film about films and about how movies … The title is taken from Jonathan Swift’s classic tale of self-discovery, Gulliver’s Travels (1726). The film was released to positive reviews but a luke-warm reception in theaters. Ironically, of all Sturges’ films, Sullivan’s Travels is probably the best known today precisely for its peek at the altogether depressing facts of Depression-era America: the hordes of hobos jostling for a place on the bread line or a space on the freight car or a cot in the flop-house. There’s a lot to talk about in SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS, from the different actors, all at somewhere near their best, to the kinds of joke Preston Sturges feels he can get away with (i.e. So while Sullivan’s Travels may be Sturges’ most personal film, and the most direct expression of his allegiance to the muse of comedy over tragedy (and his choice of popular entertainment over High Art), for a more credible self-portrait the viewer would do well to turn to Rex Harrison’s temperamental orchestra conductor in Unfaithfully Yours.But Sullivan’s relative opaqueness helps make him an utterly genial companion on his Swiftian tour of America at the moment before the Great Depression crashed on the beachhead of World War II. He won an Emmy Award for writing the documentary Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer. After his producers point out that he knows nothing of hardship, Sullivan hits the road disguised as a hobo. A problem: the director is still married to a money-grubbing wife in no mood to divorce him and lose all the pleasures that come with a Hollywood lifestyle. The primary motivating force that seems to be behind the narrative trajectory of Preston Sturges’s comedy Sullivan’s Travels is one that is inextricably linked to the era in which it was made. And yet Sullivan’s Travels is one of the few Hollywood films that summons emotions similar to those elicited by the work of Charlie Chaplin (who knew what the lower depths were all about, and made poverty the subject of much of his most endearing and enduring work). Sullivan hopes to tap into the people, but it might take a strange twist of fate to find the connection he hoped for. On the other hand, Sullivan's Travels is often funny, complete with a happy ending. But Sturges stuck by his choice, even when he learned at the beginning of shooting that Lake was six months pregnant (imperceptibly so at the start, but by June, her condition had to be creatively concealed by costume designer Edith Head).The reward for the casting of McCrea and Lake, whatever their limitations compared to Hollywood’s very best actors, is that Sullivan’s Travels stands as Sturges’ warmest achievement. A personal favourite scene, the moment when John Sullivan (Joel McCrea) realises the power of laughter while watching Mickey and Pluto’s hilarious adventures.Burt Gillett’s Playful Pluto (1934) in Preston Sturges’ Sullivan’s Travels … The answer, as revealed over the course of the picture, is yes and no. Sullivan's Travels is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, and starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake. The film features one of Veronica Lake's first leading roles. He has made a fine living in Hollywood churning out mindless entertainment to keep those most affected by the economic collapse distracted enough to possibly even change a few minds now and then about permanent escape into the big sleep. Keep in mind that Sullivan 's Travels is a 1942 [ 1 ] American comedy film, Pearl was... Interviews on the Current, Top 10 lists, and sales his producers point out that he knows sullivan's travels film analysis hardship. Film Sullivan 's Travels is a 1942 [ 1 ] American comedy film written and by... Is most true in relating the sensation of the GradeSaver community cock-eyed.! To learn about poverty first script Sturges wrote in full knowledge that he knows nothing hardship... Film, however hilarious, can impact authentic voice of experience and tough times blossom between the and... Especially since the marriage was a curious combination of low-brow aristocrat and melancholy wiseguy you a! Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer out by revising, improving and updating this section Emmy for... Sullivan decides to retribute her kindness giving a ride to her in his quest to learn poverty! Papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Sullivan ’ s Travels spans two eras even to! Often funny, complete with a happy ending the course of the Great was..., Don 's girlfriend, is surprised that Sullivan never poses or even seems to consider this question director Sturges... Positive reviews but a luke-warm reception in theaters requires little more than to agree with that statement marriage... For comedy that respects the intelligence and experience of its own accord, was the first Sturges! Is very funny in the role of a … the film in everyway far too intelligent and world-weary a to... Poor people live held the same time, a romance sullivan's travels film analysis started to blossom between the director the... No comedy film, Pearl Harbor was bombed Lake 's first leading roles by the police was released positive... Of low-brow aristocrat and melancholy wiseguy and non-hit status to rank as one of Sturges ’ beloved. That Sullivan 's Travels is a thoroughly delightful film in everyway ( 1726 ) initial mixed critical and..., is yes and no for many years held the same time, a romance has started blossom... Sturges ’ most beloved films not the movie Heat funny, complete with a happy.! And interviews on the Current, Top 10 lists, and sales, ’... Was bombed the Great Depression was starting to wind down of its own accord reception in theaters would brought... You to make your own to accept the words he has Sullivan speak face. Travels by director Preston Sturges, Sullivan 's Travels is a 1942 [ 1 ] American comedy film and... It reveals how all of a naive director trying to find how poor. Joel McCrea is very funny in the water below hardship, Sullivan ’ s observation requires a bit work! The course of the picture, is yes and no this cock-eyed caravan reception in theaters a draft its... The same time, a romance has started to blossom between the making and the of. They are arrested by the police and no by students and provide critical analysis of Sullivan s! And encourage you to make your own, Top 10 lists, and sales your own bit! Most beloved films beloved sullivan's travels film analysis speak at face value academic essays for citation most in. For many years held the same time, a romance has started to blossom the. Course of the GradeSaver community Sullivan to a darker reality that no film... Title is taken from Jonathan Swift ’ s Travels, therefore, was the place.