Sullivan's Travels

“There's always an edge of bitterness to Preston Sturges' comedies, and more than a touch of pain. Sullivan's Travels, his funniest movie, is also one of his most poignant films in that it moves from comedy to near-tragedy and back again with a facility that is thoroughly remarkable. Halfway through, without a warning, the film turns deadly serious - and does so without losing credibility for an instant. That Sturges can bring the film back to comedy again is just one further indication of his genius. Veronica Lake is marvelous as a prototype hippie (circa 1935), and Joel McCrea is just as good playing Sullivan - a comedy director who wants to make Serious Movies. The slapstick is glorious, but to categorize Sullivan's Travels as a mere comedy is to miss the point entirely. This is an amazing movie!”

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