Sullivan's Travels (1941)

A Hollywood director, John L Sullivan, sets out to experience life as a poor, homeless person in order to gain relevant life experience for his next movie.

Director:

Preston Sturges

Writer:

Preston Sturges

Stars:

Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Robert Warwick

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joel McCrea	...	John L. Sullivan
Veronica Lake	...	The Girl
Robert Warwick	...	Mr. LeBrand
William Demarest	...	Mr. Jones
Franklin Pangborn	...	Mr. Casalsis
Porter Hall	...	Mr. Hadrian
Byron Foulger	...	Mr. Valdelle
Margaret Hayes	...	Secretary
Robert Greig	...	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

Storyline

Sullivan is a successful, spoiled, and naive director of fluff films, with a heart-o-gold, who decides he wants to make a film about the troubles of the downtrodden poor. Much to the chagrin of his producers, he sets off in tramp's clothing with a single dime in his pocket to experience poverty first-hand, and gets some reality shock.

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Plot Keywords:

bindle stick | filmmaking | national film registry | falling from a train | church congregation | 

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Taglines:

A Happy-Go Lucky Hitch-Hiker on the Highway to happiness! He wanted to see the world . . . but wound up in Lover's Lane!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was selected into the National Film Registry in 1990 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

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Goofs

John was sentenced for hitting the railway man with a stone. It seems this sentence would still hold even if they did know that he is a Hollywood director. Sullivan was implying that the court would have treated him differently if they had known that he was an important person enjoying a high standing, which does happen from time to time.

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Quotes

John L. Sullivan: But nothing is going to stop me. I'm going to find out how it feels to be in trouble. Without friends, without credit, without checkbook, without name. Alone.
The Girl: And I'll go with you.
John L. Sullivan: How can I be alone if you're with me?

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Crazy Credits

The Paramount logo appears as a seal on a package.

The package is opened to reveal a book with the film title on it and the opening credits appear on pages in the book.

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Connections

Spoofed in Life Stinks (1991)

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Soundtracks

Let My People Go
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual
Played on the harmonium by Madame Sul-Te-Wan and sung
by Jess Lee Brooks and the churchgoers

User Reviews

Outstanding Film

"I want this to be a picture of dignity... a true canvas of the suffering of humanity... but with a little sex in it!" Sullivan's Travels is a delightful, intelligent, satirical witty comedy mocking Hollywood. It is about a big time Hollywood director (played by Joel McCrea) who is absolutely sick and tired of making the hum-drum, silly comedies: "Hey-Hey in the Hay" and "Ants in Your Pants of 1938". Instead, he wants to make something different...an important, relevant, socially relevant drama about poverty. When he realizes he knows nothing about THAT sort of life, he sets out with 10 cents in his pocket and finds out what it's really like. Along the way, he meets Veronica Lake - who plays "The Girl". She is a discouraged aspiring actress getting no where and on the verge of leaving town. Despite her own bad luck, she takes pity on the hobo Sullivan and buys him breakfast. When she eventually finds out his true identity, she insists on accompanying him on the road due to his inexperience at such a lifestyle. Lake does a great job of the dry co-star. She's not the greatest actress but she does justice to the part and offers a bit of eye candy for the viewers in contrast. She is a joy to watch on screen, that's for sure! I want to see more of her movies.

Sullivan's Travels is a very funny film with the appeal of Lake, witty comedy and a true underlying message. It is all this whilst still perfectly "taking the mickey" out of Hollywood's (often lame) attempts at making a movie with a message. A movie which can be watched by all - essential for those lovers of classic cinema.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 February 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sullivan's Travels

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$689,665 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,249

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 85 min (TV premiere)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1