Review of The Palm Beach Story (1942) by Davey M — 13 Mar 2008

Full of dense and sparkling dialogue, it recalls "Bringing Up Baby" or "It Happened One Night," and even if it's not quite on the level of those hallowed classics, that doesn't excuse its relative anonymity today.

Infused by Preston Sturges with a refreshingly forward-thinking attitude toward women and sex, this established many precedents still used in sex farces today. Also pure Sturges is the ending, which practically defines the term "cop out," but is too self-aware to be a letdown.

If you watch one Sturges film in your life, make it Sullivan's Travels, but watch this one right after.