Sullivan's Travels

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Sullivan's Travels

1942

1h 31m

Comedy

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43 Reviews

89%

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5,000+ Ratings

Successful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.

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Critics Consensus

Blending screwball comedy with a socially conscious message, Sullivan's Travels offers delightful proof of writer-director Preston Sturges' ability to provoke serious thought as well as helpless laughter.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

01/16/2023

This ingenious plot is brought to life with a remarkable profusion of dialogue: with the characters’ torrential, scintillating verbiage, Sturges seems to leap out from behind the screen to address the viewer directly.

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Variety Staff

Variety

06/27/2007

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

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

06/27/2007

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

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/02/2024

3/4

...an erratic yet entertaining piece of work...

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

10/30/2024

5/5

Sullivan’s Travels offers itself up as a meta-resolution to its own conundrum, deftly blending madcap comedy, non-didactic social commentary, and even "a little sex" in the form of Veronica Lake.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

09/06/2024

5/5

This classic comedy should leave you in no doubt where Sturges thought a movie's first duty lay, yet it's also one of the few films that manages to strike a winning balance between entertainment and conscience.

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Bill T

@btreakle 1d

“Sullivan’s Travels “ This film starring McCray and Veronica lake was pretty well done considering the time that it was made in 1941. The film tells the tale of a wealthy man who decides to see the countryside and see how it is to be among the poor. Without giving too much away I thought the film did a really good job of showing the hobo side of life as seen through the eyes of Sullivan. Interesting enough this film was done in 1941 at a time we were at war with Japan. At any rate this film did not disappoint and I thought it had a good lesson to teach each one of us.

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Steven B

@RT77676529 2d

Very cute and does make comment on the social situation of the times. And Veronica was as beautiful as ever. Besides she can act too.

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David A

@DavidA346 May 24

We watched this movie on the very high recommendation of Rotten tomatoes which we normally agree with. This movie may have been good in 1941 but frankly I want my 1 1/2 hours back! What a waste of time!!! It was depressing and not funny in the least. Do not waste your time watching this piece of trash!

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Nov 20

Writer-director Preston Sturges instilled his utter passion towards filmmaking into this thoughtfully ingenious feat that brilliantly balances levity adjacent to ideal realism through a wittily sharp screenplay that underlies the intellectual direction, accumulating to the strong statement at needed to be heard, especially today. (A-)

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George L

@RT47615177 Oct 16

A rare find. This is an intelligent witty film with a conscience that has something to say. The dialogue is funny without being crass, which is unheard of in recent films.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 06/08/2025

Funny in 01 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Preston Sturges

Director

Joel McCrea

John L. Sullivan

Veronica Lake

The Girl

Robert Warwick

Mr. Lebrand

William Demarest

Mr. Jones

Franklin Pangborn

Mr. Casalsis

Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - I Want to Make a Comedy

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - With a Little Sex In It

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - Sully and the Girl

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - I Killed John L. Sullivan!

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - Ditching the Entourage

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - Sully Laughs Again

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - Meeting the Girl

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - Washed Up Picture Director

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Sullivan's Travels: Official Clip - The Valley of Adversity

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Synopsis

Successful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.

Director: Preston Sturges
Producer: Preston Sturges
Screenwriter: Preston Sturges
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 1942, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2015
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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