Sullivan's Travels (1941)

100% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(7,595 ratings)

In Preston Sturges' classic comedy of Depression-era America, filmmaker John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), fed up with directing profitable comedies like "Ants in Your Plants of 1939," is consumed with the desire to make a serious social statement in his upcoming film, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"… More In Preston Sturges' classic comedy of Depression-era America, filmmaker John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), fed up with directing profitable comedies like "Ants in Your Plants of 1939," is consumed with the desire to make a serious social statement in his upcoming film, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" Unable to function in the rarefied atmosphere of Hollywood, Sullivan decides to hit the road, disguised as a tramp, and touch base with the "real" people of America. But Sullivan's studio transforms his odyssey into a publicity stunt, providing the would-be nomad with a luxury van, complete with butler (Robert Greig) and valet (Eric Blore). Advised by his servants that the poor resent having the rich intrude upon them, Sullivan escapes his retinue and continues his travels incognito. En route, he meets a down-and-out failed actress (Veronica Lake). Experiencing firsthand the scroungy existence of real-life hoboes, Sullivan returns to Hollywood full of bleeding-heart fervor. After first arranging for the girl's screen test, he heads for the railyards, intending to improve the lot of the local rail-riders and bindlestiffs by handing out ten thousand dollars in five-dollar bills. Instead, Sullivan is coldcocked by a tramp, who steals Sullivan's clothes and identification. When the tramp is run over by a speeding train, the world at large is convinced that the great John L. Sullivan is dead. Meanwhile, the dazed Sullivan, dressed like a bum with no identification on his person, is arrested and put to work on a brutal Southern chain gang. With its almost Shakespearean combination of uproarious comedy and grim tragedy, Sullivan's Travels is Sturges' masterpiece and one of the finest movies about movies ever made. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Preston Sturges
Written By: Preston Sturges
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1941 Wide
On DVD: Aug 21, 2001
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Sturges' dialog is trenchant, has drive, possesses crispness and gets the laughs where that is desired.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A dubious proposition, but in Sturges's hands a charming one, filled out by his unparalleled sense of eccentric character.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Sullivan's Travels is one of the screen's more 'significant' films.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
a highly satirical piece, poking fun at Hollywood itself and showing how out of touch it can be
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Brainy Hollywood classic about importance of comedy.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
It is, quite simply, a dazzling piece of filmmaking.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Not remotely a defense of junk, but it does respect comedy as a force for escapism.
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
...just not as funny as its choir of supporters have made it out to be.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Sullivan's Travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A delicious tragi-comedy set during the Great Depression.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Forgotten for years along with its maker, writer/director Preston Sturges, Sullivan's Travels has only recently enjoyed a comeback and induction into classic status.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Its message drags it from the front guard of Sturges's work, but it shines nonetheless.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
The genius of this classic opening scene is that Sullivan's Travels is both screwball comedy and socially conscious melodrama — as well as a satire of socially conscious melodrama, and a serious apologetic for crowd-pleasing comedy.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Sturges' insight about the relevance of humor in a dog-eat-dog world never gets old, mainly because his insight into humanity itself is spot on. And all his mainstays are here: crisp dialogue, vivid and far-reaching portrayals, a wide cross section of society, Hollywood w/o… More
Sturges' insight about the relevance of humor in a dog-eat-dog world never gets old, mainly because his insight into humanity itself is spot on. And all his mainstays are here: crisp dialogue, vivid and far-reaching portrayals, a wide cross section of society, Hollywood w/o being Hollywood. And Veronica Lake, too!
AJ V

Oh, this movie was hilarious! Some scenes may get a little too silly, but overall it works. I highly recommend this great screwball comedy.
Jon L

Great film! This movie had really good shots that conveyed good acting, although over the top with dry wit and humor. Since I think that was the goal of this film, it did a pretty good job of it and I recommend this for anyone who is interested in older classics. I really did like… More
Great film! This movie had really good shots that conveyed good acting, although over the top with dry wit and humor. Since I think that was the goal of this film, it did a pretty good job of it and I recommend this for anyone who is interested in older classics. I really did like the chemistry between the main characters and that seems hard to create in most films.
Bruce B

This is about the best Black & White Movie I have seen in sometime. Veronica Lake was nothing short of great and beautiful, her acting couldn't be touched by any other actress in this film. She was a beautiful lady. This movie starts out and one wonders if they are in for a… More
This is about the best Black & White Movie I have seen in sometime. Veronica Lake was nothing short of great and beautiful, her acting couldn't be touched by any other actress in this film. She was a beautiful lady. This movie starts out and one wonders if they are in for a slow boring film, but within 15 minutes it picks up and what we have is a wonderful story for the 1941 time frame. Joel McCrea plays a big time movie producer who is going to put out a movie about hard times, but what does he know about hard times, so he goes on the road as a hobo, meets Veronica Lake and she joins him on his quest. All in all it makes for a pretty good movie, worth the rental, if your a Pre 1960 film collector this one needs to be in it, no big name stars but an excellent movie overall. 4 Stars
Jeremy S

John Sullivan: "There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan. Boy!"
Jennifer X

Scratch anything I've said before, Veronica Lake is THE poster girl for adorability. Preston Sturges sure knows how to pick his leading ladies. Very, very good satire with a solid message and well-timed transitions. I love films that show versatility.
Stephen M

The way "Sullivan's Travels" shifts effortlessly back and forth in tone, from light to dark and back again, is hugely impressive. The Coen brothers borrowed more than just the title of the project Joel McCrea's film director is desperate to make, "O, Brother,… More
The way "Sullivan's Travels" shifts effortlessly back and forth in tone, from light to dark and back again, is hugely impressive. The Coen brothers borrowed more than just the title of the project Joel McCrea's film director is desperate to make, "O, Brother, Where Art Thou"; the figure of the artist, struggling against the Hollywood studio system to make a universally important statement, is clearly echoed in "Barton Fink". It's not my favourite Sturges movie but it's still delightful. Veronica Lake is adorable in this.
jay n

Humor and sorrow mixed perfectly. Veronica Lake radiates star quality and talent, what a sad waste.
Michael G

A great, great film. It starts off silly and light-hearted then eventually switches gears and gets genuinely ugly. And if you can take your eyes off Veronica Lake you've got serious problems...
Dillon L

I think the film Sullivan should've made after the end is the Coen Brothers version of O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Byron B

I don't know much about the Coen Brothers to know if they claim Preston Sturges as a major influence on their work, but there seems to be a connection. They seem to be continuing the tradition of Hollywood outsiders making movies their own way, freely mixing comedy, drama, dark… More
I don't know much about the Coen Brothers to know if they claim Preston Sturges as a major influence on their work, but there seems to be a connection. They seem to be continuing the tradition of Hollywood outsiders making movies their own way, freely mixing comedy, drama, dark twisted moments, and a little romance. After all they made Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, the movie that never gets made in this film. I think I've only seen one other Sturges film, The Great McGinty, and I noticed social issues seem to be a favorite theme. He pokes fun at the Hollywood machine. There is lots of great dialog, some of which I didn't appreciate till I saw the clips again in a special feature doc. There are quite a few laughs, but it turns at times to thoughtful drama and a touch of romance. Then it also deals with the darker side of society, the danger of giving charity to the poor too freely, the treatment of chain gang prisoners, and a particularly grisly death for the time when this movie was made. The movie cautions against taking the art and social power of moving pictures too seriously.
Andrew F

Good, but not a great classic movie like it could have been.
Anastasia B

One of the best scripts that ever came out of Hollywood, Sullivan's Travels proves Preston Sturges was one of a kind.A perfect mix of comedy, drama and social commentary, this film is a must-see for anyone who really loves movies!
Marion R

It's an okay film
Tom S

"Where are we?" "I don't know. Hollywood, I s'pose."
Emily B

Highly enjoyable film by Preston Sturges. There's witty dialogue and a great performance from McCrea, not so great a performance from Lake, but she still steals every scene with that beauty of hers.
Anthony V

Funny, touching and Veronica Lake! A Preston Sturges classic!
Linda K

The original OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU!

Read all 18 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Joel McCrea as John L. Sullivan

            Veronica Lake as The Girl

            William Demarest as Mr. Jones

            Franklin Pangborn as Mr. Casalais

            Robert Warwick as Mr. Lebrand

            Porter Hall as Mr. Hadrian

            Robert Greig as Sullivan's Butler

            Eric Blore as Sullivan's Valet

            Byron Foulger as Mr. Valdelle

            Maggie Hayes as Secretary

            Torben Meyer as Doctor

            Richard Webb as Radio Man

            Charles R. Moore as Chef

            Roscoe Ates as Counterman

            Billy Bletcher as Entertainer in Hospital

            Monte Blue as Cop in slums

            Al Bridge as The Mister

            Jess Lee Brooks as Black Preacher

            Jan Buckingham as Mrs. Sullivan

            Chick Collins as Capital

            Chester Conklin as Old Bum

            Jimmy Conlin as Trusty

            Edgar Dearing as Cop

            Robert Dudley as One-Legged Bum

            Jimmie Dundee as Labor

            Harry Hayden as Mr. Carson

            Edward Hearn as Cop Beverly Hills Station

            Esther Howard as Miz Zeffie

            Arthur Hoyt as Preacher

            Elsa Lanchester
            
            Perc Launders as Yard Man

            John Farrell MacDonald as Desk Sergeant

            Howard Mitchell as Railroad Clerk

            Frank Moran as Tough Chauffeur

            Paul Newlan as Truck driver

            Emory Parnell as Man at Railroad Shack

            Victor Potel as Cameraman

            Georges Renavent as Old Tramp

            Willard Robertson as Judge

            Dewey Robinson as Sheriff

            Harry Rosenthal as The Trombenick

            Almira Sessions as Ursula

            Harry Seymour as Entertainer in Air-Raid Shelter

            Mme. Sul Te Wan as Harmonica player

            Julius Tannen as Public Defender

            Harry Tyler as R.R. Information Clerk

            Pat West as Counterman

            Frank Mills as Drunk in Theater

            Preston Sturges as Studio Director

            Esther Michelson as Woman

            Robert Winkler as Bud

            Gus Reed as Mission Cook
See full cast

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