Another classic film watch based on crossing off the titles listed in Danny Peary’s Cult Movies 2, his selections that I had not seen. Sullivan’s Travels (1941) was always something I’d heard was good – directed and written by the screwball comedy master Preston Sturges (I’ve only seen The Lady Eve and that is one of my favourites). For Coen Brothers fans, this is where the title O Brother, Where Art Thou comes from, the name of the movie that director John L Sullivan (Joel McCrea) plans to make about the struggle and the dignity of the poor. His fed up studio bosses want Sullivan to go back to making popular comedies like Ants In Your Plants 1939. Yet Sullivan, even though he’s wealthy himself with several butlers at home, wants to make soulful dramas like The Grapes Of Wrath, and thus plans to go undercover as a vagrant to truly understand poverty. All of this is big satirical target against Hollywood phoniness and poverty-tourism. Yet this satire is also underwritten by a sincere belief and celebration in creative voices that just want to make people laugh. What was surprising to me was the first two thirds where Sullivan’s “travels” are continuously delayed and diverted; he can never escape Hollywood and his own position of privilege. McCrea has such a great vibe for the part – well meaning but self-absorbed, charismatic yet a straight-laced fall guy. I think this is the first thing I’ve seen Veronica Lake in and she is amazing, bringing a femme fatale iciness in style but with a sharp knack with the witty dialogue. Lots of great gags and one liners. The third act gets a bit serious or what I assumed it’d be like, a little bit sanctimonious, but overall, it’s a fun time. Streamed it on the Criterion Channel before the Presto Sturges movies left; available to rent or buy in Australia on iTunes. Recommended.
VHS Tracking 