Do you want to see ‘Sullivan's Travels’?

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

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Average Rating: 8.7/10
Reviews Counted: 29
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

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Movie Info

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

Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Preston Sturges

Written By: Preston Sturges

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1941 Wide

On DVD: Aug 21, 2001

Paramount Pictures

Sullivan's Travels Trailer & Photos

Cast

Joel McCrea
John L. Sullivan
Veronica Lake
The Girl
William Demarest
Mr. Jones
Franklin Pangborn
Mr. Casalais
Robert Warwick
Mr. Lebrand
Porter Hall
Mr. Hadrian
Robert Greig
Sullivan's Butler
Eric Blore
Sullivan's Valet
Byron Foulger
Mr. Valdelle
Maggie Hayes
Secretary
Torben Meyer
Doctor
Richard Webb
Radio Man
Charles R. Moore
Chef
Roscoe Ates
Counterman
Billy Bletcher
Entertainer in Hospital
Monte Blue
Cop in slums
Al Bridge
The Mister
Jess Lee Brooks
Black Preacher
Jan Buckingham
Mrs. Sullivan
Chick Collins
Capital
Chester Conklin
Old Bum
Jimmy Conlin
Trusty
Edgar Dearing
Cop
Robert Dudley
One-Legged Bum
Jimmie Dundee
Labor
Harry Hayden
Mr. Carson
Edward Hearn
Cop Beverly Hills Stati...
Esther Howard
Miz Zeffie
Arthur Hoyt
Preacher
Elsa Lanchester
Perc Launders
Yard Man
John Farrell MacDonald
Desk Sergeant
Howard Mitchell
Railroad Clerk
Frank Moran
Tough Chauffeur
Paul Newlan
Truck driver
Emory Parnell
Man at Railroad Shack
Victor Potel
Cameraman
Georges Renavent
Old Tramp
Willard Robertson
Judge
Dewey Robinson
Sheriff
Harry Rosenthal
The Trombenick
Almira Sessions
Ursula
Harry Seymour
Entertainer in Air-Raid...
Mme. Sul Te Wan
Harmonica player
Julius Tannen
Public Defender
Harry Tyler
R.R. Information Clerk
Pat West
Counterman
Frank Mills
Drunk in Theater
Preston Sturges
Studio Director
Esther Michelson
Woman
Robert Winkler
Bud
Gus Reed
Mission Cook

Critic Reviews for Sullivan's Travels

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (0) | DVD (19)

Sturges' dialog is trenchant, has drive, possesses crispness and gets the laughs where that is desired.

June 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

A dubious proposition, but in Sturges's hands a charming one, filled out by his unparalleled sense of eccentric character.

June 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

—

Sullivan's Travels is one of the screen's more 'significant' films.

May 20, 2003 Comment

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Top Critic

Brainy Hollywood classic about importance of comedy.

July 26, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

It is, quite simply, a dazzling piece of filmmaking.

October 19, 2009 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope

| Comment

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Not remotely a defense of junk, but it does respect comedy as a force for escapism.

February 3, 2009 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

...just not as funny as its choir of supporters have made it out to be.

January 8, 2007 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Chris Barsanti

Filmcritic.com

Sullivan's Travels is a gem, an almost serious comedy not taken entirely seriously, with wonderful dialogue, eccentric characterisations, and superlative performances throughout.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

A delicious tragi-comedy set during the Great Depression.

April 1, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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.

March 7, 2005 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Its message drags it from the front guard of Sturges's work, but it shines nonetheless.

July 8, 2004 Comment

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS) Source: F5 (Wichita, KS)

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.

September 12, 2003 Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide

| Comment

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Sullivan's Travels

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

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

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

June 16, 2010

Jon Lantz

Super Reviewer

Sullivan's Travels Quotes

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1. John L. 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!
– Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

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June 22, 2007:

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