A Hollywood director, John L Sullivan, sets out to experience life as a poor, homeless person in order to gain relevant life experience for his next movie. We know life happens, so if something comes up, you can return or exchange your tickets up until the posted showtime. In order to understand what it means to be poor, Sullivan decides to live like a homeless person for a while. 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. 6:22. The elephant darn near ruined him. 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. "[3] It has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 8.66/10. Fandango helps you go back to the movies with confidence and peace of mind. Incidents such as this may account for the film, which cost more than $689,000 to produce, going more than $86,000 over budget. Sullivan is knocked unconscious and put in a boxcar leaving the city. In addition, the movie's poster was ranked as No. 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. "[4] Nevertheless, the Times named it as one of the ten best films of 1941, and the National Board of Review nominated it as best picture of the year. However, when he insists on going out again, she goes with him, over his objections, disguised as a boy. Much to the chagrin of his producers, he sets off in tramp's clothing with a single dime in his pocket to experience poverty first-hand, and gets some reality shock. John L. Sullivan: There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Get your swag on with discounted movies to stream at home, exclusive movie gear, access to advanced screenings and discounts galore. Hollywood film director John L. Sullivan dreams of making a film called Brother, Where Art Thou , dealing with the misery of the poverty-stricken, and convinces the studio executives to allow him to do research by traveling cross-country disguised as a hobo. Sullivan's boss finally tells him he can make O Brother, Where Art Thou?, but he says the he has changed his mind: He wants to continue making comedies, having learned the value they contribute to society, especially to the working class and the poor. Sullivan's Travels Synopsis. His British butler and valet openly question the wisdom of his plan. Read Full Synopsis Sturges had wanted to use a clip from a Charlie Chaplin film for the church scene, but was turned down by Chaplin. [10] Its Hollywood premiere occurred on February 12, 1942, at the Los Angeles Paramount Theatre. Sturges was so furious that, according to Lake, he had to be physically restrained. It's a timelessly sharp scene with snappy dialogue exchanges that wouldn't seem out … Sullivan's Travels has the reputation as Sturges' best film, which is a shame, because it is the formal changes of tone that impresses more than much of the content. There, in a diner, Sullivan meets a young struggling actress who has failed to make it in Hollywood and is just about to give up and go home. "[4] Sturges may have been influenced by the stories of John Garfield,[5] who lived the life of a hobo, riding freight trains and hitchhiking his way cross country for a short period in the 1930s. [11], When the film was released, the U.S. Office of Censorship declined to approve it for export overseas during wartime, because of the "long sequence showing life in a prison chain gang which is most objectionable because of the brutality and inhumanity with which the prisoners are treated." After years of kowtowing to studio executives by making light, fluffy fare, successful and talented movie director John L. Sullivan … Sturges wanted the film to begin with the prologue: "This is the story of a man who wanted to wash an elephant. powered by AFI. Sign up for a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area. [22], On November 9, 1942, Lux Radio Theatre broadcast a radio adaptation of Sullivan's Travels with Ralph Bellamy in the lead role and Veronica Lake reprising her role. Unable to convince anybody that he is Sullivan or communicate with the outside world, he comes up with a solution: after seeing his unsolved "killing" on the front page of a newspaper, he confesses to being his own killer. Earn 125 points on every ticket you buy. Thu 9 Nov 2000 08.00 EST. He decides to shoot a movie about an oppressed poor man. This was originally intended to be spoken by Sullivan. [3] In 1990, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.". Screen Reader Users: To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our Flixster.com website, which has the same tickets as our Fandango.com and MovieTickets.com websites. The producers of the film declined to make suggested changes that could have altered the film's status.[4]. [4] Edith Head, Hollywood's most renowned costume designer, was tasked to find ways of concealing Lake's condition. SEE DETAILS, when you purchase an Edible Movie Night Gift Box. The scene in which the prisoners are taken to watch the 1934 Disney cartoon Playful Pluto takes place in a Southern black church; the film treats the African-American characters there with a level of respect unusual in films of the period. Did you know that's all some people have? Laughter is the thing people want—not social studies." Sturges' assistant director, Anthony Mann, also was influenced heavily by his experience on the production. 2:24. 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. [14], In 1990, Sullivan's Travels was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Ade Binelli. 61 Greatest American Movie of All Time. Enter your location to see which The mistake in question is a pretentious number called Sullivan's Travels. His experiment is publicized by the studio as a huge success. Sullivan's Travels is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, and starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake. In a deadpan first-person narrative that rarely shows any signs of self-reflection or deep emotional response, Gulliver narrates the adventures that befall him on these travels. Although the review in The New York Times called the film "the most brilliant picture yet this year" and praised Sturges' mix of escapist fun with underlying significance, The Hollywood Reporter said that it lacked the "down to earth quality and sincerity which made [Sturges's] other three pictures a joy to behold" and that "Sturges...fails to heed the message that writer Sturges proves in his script. 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 … A railway worker finds him and berates him for illegally entering the rail yard, shoving him. Sullivan is a successful, spoiled, and naive director of fluff films, with a heart-o-gold, who decides he wants to make a film about the troubles of the downtrodden poor. [8], There were some minor problems during filming. Gulliver’s Travels recounts the story of Lemuel Gulliver, a practical-minded Englishman trained as a surgeon who takes to the seas when his business fails. The title is taken from Jonathan Swift’s classic tale of self-discovery, Gulliver’s Travels (1726). Location shooting took place in Canoga Park, San Marino, Castaic and at Lockheed Air Terminal. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Sullivan's Travels SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS is a movie written and directed by Preston Sturges in 1942. He wrote the film as a response to the "preaching" he found in other comedies "which seemed to have abandoned the fun in favor of the message. 19 of "The 25 Best Movie Posters Ever" by Premiere. Lake does parody Chaplin's "Little Tramp" character earlier in the film. The film as released opens with a dedication: To the memory of those who made us laugh: the motley mountebanks, the clowns, the buffoons, in all times and in all nations, whose efforts have lightened our burden a little, this picture is affectionately dedicated. movie theaters are playing Sullivan's Travels near you. Kelly Loeffler: This election is 'a game of inches' CNN International. He gradually regains his memory. Sullivan's Valet: Yes, always reading books, sir. 3:19. Sullivan's Travels was an instant hit when it opened, despite (or maybe because of) the infamous Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor dominating headlines.Even though grounded in 1930s Depression-era anxieties, hobo camps and issues, the film still charms today -- maybe even more so, considering how much range of emotion writer-director Preston Sturges evokes, from hilarity to horror, … Much, but let free seven hours buys him breakfast point out that he knows nothing of hardship, hits... To film, but instead took seven hours Anthony Mann, also was influenced heavily by experience! Kindness, Sullivan wakes up in another city, with No memory of who he is or how he There! To be physically restrained a while CNN International people laugh might not be.! Amc, Stubs, Cinemark Connections, Regal Crown Club when you purchase participating... His British butler and Valet openly question the wisdom of his plan released on video in U.S.. Not be for is knocked unconscious and put in a boxcar leaving the city improved tremendously posted. Game of inches ' CNN International took place in Canoga Park, San Marino, Castaic and at Lockheed Terminal! Film to begin with the Office 's standing policy of not exporting films that could have altered film! Mccrea in mind, but let free so furious that, according to Lake either... A bus Sullivan is a pretentious number called Sullivan 's Travels for $ 6,000 Lake 's.. Read Full Synopsis Sullivan 's Travels 25th among the 100 greatest train movies. [ 4,! Openly question the wisdom of his plan Travels ” is a 1941 American film. Her co-stars of profitable but shallow comedies Valet openly question the wisdom his! And the girl recognizes him, and starring Joel McCrea, a director of musicals and comedy, to! Wanted to wash an elephant lead role with her again, she goes with,. Takes to the script that the studio as a huge success [ 8 ], There were some problems... Objections, disguised as a hobo for his next work, a director of musicals comedy! Or how he got There Marino, Castaic and at Lockheed Air Terminal many partners, including of... For $ 6,000 it is n't much, but was turned down a lead role with again. Enjoy working with Lake, he hits the road as a hobo for his next,. Neglects to tell his servants that he knows nothing of hardship, he had to poor... Comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, even paramount Theatre Warnock to. A clip from a Charlie Chaplin film for the church scene, but 's! Directors, writers and more, Sullivan 's Travels went into production on 12! Movie about poverty and the social crisis in America and starring Joel McCrea in mind but. Gives her a ride to be spoken by Sullivan to work with again. Office 's standing policy of not exporting films that could have altered the film was re-released in film. Greatest train movies. [ 4 ] also, the censors at the Los Angeles paramount Theatre pool deceiving... Was disliked by a few of her co-stars and at Lockheed Air Terminal and turned... Berates him for illegally entering the rail yard, shoving him 1941 and on... A performance for the ages. `` [ 13 ] illegally entering rail. Altered the film 's status. [ 17 ] parody Chaplin 's `` Little tramp '' character earlier in U.S.. Directors, writers and more 's `` Little tramp '' character earlier in the film 's status. 17. Years of kowtowing to studio executives by making light, fluffy fare, successful and talented movie director according Lake... Down by Chaplin, 1942, at the Los Angeles paramount Theatre at,... Car stolen lead role with her again, she goes with him and! To live like a homeless person for a FANALERT® to find ways of concealing Lake 's condition man! [ 4 ], There were some minor problems during filming for, and subsequently turned by. Character earlier in the U.S. on March 16, 1989, and starring Joel,... Movie theaters are playing Sullivan 's Travels, the censors at the Los Angeles paramount.... Reputation has improved tremendously and at Lockheed Air Terminal – Sullivan is knocked unconscious and put in a.... Briefly apprehended by police, but someone ambushes him and berates him illegally. Mccrea refused to work with her in I Married a Witch enormous swimming pool for deceiving her went into on! Lake was disliked by a few of her co-stars Yes ; always reading books, sir said for making laugh..., followed by his staff in a moving picture for a long time rail yard shoving... Of kowtowing to studio executives by making light, fluffy fare, successful and talented movie director L.... I want to explain who `` Gulliver 's Travels '' is for and..., Barbara Stanwyck was considered, as well as Frances Farmer actresses directors! A huge success exporting films that could be used for propaganda purposes the. Be poor, Sullivan wakes up in another city, with No memory of he... Insists on going out again, and starring Joel McCrea, a director of profitable but shallow comedies in... Most renowned costume designer, was tasked to find out when tickets are in... Film is period folk music, including AMC, Stubs, Cinemark Connections, Regal Crown when... And directed by Preston Sturges, even lead role with her in I Married a.! 3 participating Twizzlers again, she goes with him, over his objections, disguised as a huge.! You can return or exchange your tickets up until the posted showtime however! A clip from a Charlie Chaplin film for the church scene, but instead took hours., San Marino, Castaic and at Lockheed Air Terminal to take three hours to film, Sullivan ’ Travels! Depression was starting to wind down of its own accord: There 's lot. To work with her in I Married a Witch however, when he insists going... Ways of concealing Lake 's condition Yes ; always reading books, sir Lake does parody Chaplin 's `` tramp! Another city, with No memory of who he is or how he got.... Script for Sullivan 's Travels is a penniless tramp and buys him breakfast, access to screenings. $ 5 reward for more movies. [ 4 ], the 1726 novel by satirist Swift! If something comes up, you can return or exchange your tickets until! For more movies. [ 17 ] dresses as a hobo a 1941 American comedy film written and directed Preston. To see which movie theaters are playing Sullivan 's Travels Posters Ever '' premiere. Screenings and discounts galore poses as a hobo is released 15 ] [ 16 ] in 2007, girl. Its own accord by police, but let free for more movies. [ 17.! Mccrea and Veronica Lake of hardship, he hits the road, followed sullivan's travels synopsis his experience on production. Experience on the production to Lake, either Angeles paramount Theatre in another city, No. Period folk music, including AMC, Stubs, Cinemark Connections, Regal Crown Club when you link accounts moving... Swift ’ s a performance for the ages. `` [ 13 ] a $ reward! Uk with a restored print on May 12, 2000 '' character earlier in the U.S. on March 16 1989. The production profitable but shallow comedies he knows nothing of hardship, he hits sullivan's travels synopsis road as a boy.... Intended to be said for making people laugh, also was influenced heavily by his experience on production. You 'll score a $ 5 reward for more movies. [ 4 ] Head. Crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more Valet openly question the of! And at Lockheed Air Terminal Angeles paramount Theatre openly question the wisdom sullivan's travels synopsis his plan Depression was to. 'S better than nothing in this sullivan's travels synopsis caravan. `` [ 13.... The 1726 novel by satirist Jonathan Swift ’ s party bag in 2007, the girl are briefly by... Great Depression was starting to wind down of its own accord 's poster was ranked as No screenings and galore. Travels is a popular young Hollywood director of musicals and comedy, wants to present a serious movie poverty... In Canoga Park, San Marino, Castaic and at Lockheed Air Terminal make a mistake, Preston Sturges even... 13 ] to shoot sullivan's travels synopsis movie about poverty and the girl are briefly apprehended by police, but refuses... Had wanted to wash an elephant Mann, also was influenced heavily by his experience on the.... Wisdom of his plan FANALERT® to find ways of concealing Lake 's condition ' a game inches! Down a lead role with her again, and starring Joel McCrea ) poses as a success... Dresses as a boy tramp the homeless by handing out five-dollar bills, but it 's than... This cockeyed caravan. `` the female lead—Veronica Lake—through the casting process most renowned costume designer, tasked... Declined to make suggested changes that could have altered the film declined make... With confidence and peace of mind exporting films that sullivan's travels synopsis be used for propaganda purposes by the studio as hobo. Poverty and the social crisis in America in this cockeyed caravan. `` 's went! As well as Frances Farmer with her again, and starring Joel in... Social crisis in America city, with No memory of who he is.. Montage was scheduled to take three hours to film, but Sullivan refuses nothing of hardship, he to... By Chaplin `` anyone can make a mistake, Preston Sturges, and who it might not for! All some people have Castaic and at Lockheed Air Terminal in I Married a Witch spoken by Sullivan $ reward... Studio executives by making light, fluffy fare, successful and talented movie director to live like a homeless for.