Review of Sullivan's Travels (1941) by Sam I — 19 Mar 2007

Now well known as the source of the title of the Coen Brothers title O Brother Where Art Thou this story of a comedy director who wants to make a tragedy but feels he has to do some research and ends up doing rather more than he bargained for is a delight.

Preston Sturges screenplay and direction are fast, funny and original (Though it's a shame he has to include a black character so insultingly stereotyped as the cook who crops up from time to time) Joel McCrea underplays all the way, getting lots of funny lines and moments but never playing for the joke.

It's a terrific performance. Veronica Lake isn't, on this evidence, a great actress but she's radiant in the role of The unnamed Girl who accompanies McCrea on his travels and gets plenty of laughs, notably in her first scene, the best in the film.

A clever, early, satire on Hollywood Sullivan's Travels is recommended viewing for any film fan.