#61 Sullivan's Travels

A.F.I. Ranking: 61

Director: Preston Struges

Starring: John McCrea, Veronica Lake

Release Year: 1941

Brief Synopsis: John Sullivan is a movie director who has made his name in directing comedies. He is tired of turning out meaningless films, and wants to turn his talents to more dramatic work that show hardships and heart ache. The suits that Sullivan work for point out the he knows nothing about hard times, and needs to stick to what he knows. Sullivan agrees and decides that he will leave Hollywood dressed as a hobo and with only ten cents in his pocket, determined not to return to Hollywood until he knows enough about a hard life to direct his next project, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?”.

My Thoughts: I had no idea what I was getting into when I put this movie into the DVD player. I had never even heard of it and just randomly picked it off of AFI’s list to watch. Within the first five minutes I thought I was going to be watching a cheeky 1940s comedy that made people laugh back then, but now days you just watch and think how lame. About twenty minutes into the movie the film took a definite shift and turned into a dramatic film about how people in this country treat the homeless. I enjoyed this movie that even when it turned really dark, still managed to make me laugh.

“There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.”

Rating: List Worthy