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Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn, Robert Warwick ... see more see more... , Porter Hall , Robert Greig , Eric Blore , Byron Foulger , Maggie Hayes , Torben Meyer , Richard Webb , Charles R. Moore , Roscoe Ates , Billy Bletcher , Monte Blue , Al Bridge , Jess Lee Brooks , Jan Buckingham , Chick Collins , Chester Conklin , Jimmy Conlin , Edgar Dearing , Robert Dudley , Jimmie Dundee , Harry Hayden , Edward Hearn , Esther Howard , Arthur Hoyt , Elsa Lanchester , Perc Launders , John Farrell MacDonald , Howard Mitchell , Frank Moran , Paul Newlan , Emory Parnell , Victor Potel , Georges Renavent , Willard Robertson , Dewey Robinson , Harry Rosenthal , Almira Sessions , Harry Seymour , Mme. Sul Te Wan , Julius Tannen , Harry Tyler , Pat West , Frank Mills , Preston Sturges , Esther Michelson , Robert Winkler , Gus Reed

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 t... read more read more...he 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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90% liked it

7,595 ratings

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100% liked it

30 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Preston Sturges

Release Date: December 1, 1941

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DVD Release Date: August 21, 2001

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Stats: 576 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (576)

  • moonrivers
    April 22, 2012
    moonrivers
    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 bein... read moreg Hollywood. And Veronica Lake, too!
  • ajv2688
    October 3, 2010
    ajv2688
    Oh, this movie was hilarious! Some scenes may get a little too silly, but overall it works. I highly recommend this great screwball comedy.
  • FireStormStudios
    June 16, 2010
    FireStormStudios
    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 ... read morelike the chemistry between the main characters and that seems hard to create in most films.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 25, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    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... read more 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
  • smith44
    August 7, 2009
    smith44
    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!"
  • jennifxu
    June 14, 2008
    jennifxu
    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.
  • harrycaul
    December 17, 2007
    harrycaul
    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... read more 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.
  • jjnxn
    June 16, 2007
    jjnxn
    Humor and sorrow mixed perfectly. Veronica Lake radiates star quality and talent, what a sad waste.
  • mjgildea
    December 7, 2006
    mjgildea
    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...
  • fb1619601747
    September 20, 2011
    fb1619601747
    I think the film Sullivan should've made after the end is the Coen Brothers version of O Brother, Where Art Thou?

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
June 27, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

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

Dave Kehr
June 27, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

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

Kevin Carr
April 18, 2012
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

a highly satirical piece, poking fun at Hollywood itself and showing how out of touch it can be Full Review

Robert Roten
October 19, 2009
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

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

Rob Gonsalves
February 3, 2009
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

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

Chris Barsanti
January 8, 2007
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com

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

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
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. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
April 1, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A delicious tragi-comedy set during the Great Depression. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
March 7, 2005
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. Full Review

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    • 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!
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Sullivan's Travels Trivia

  • In Sullivan's Travels, what serious film did comedic director, John Sullivan, want to make?  Answer »
  • Which film did the Coen brothers get the inspiration for the title "O Brother Where Art Thou?"  Answer »
  • ***Name The Actor/Actress That Was In These Movies*** ***The Palm Beach Story - Union Pacific - Sullivan's Travels***  Answer »
  • 'Sullivan's Travels', written and directed by Preston Sturges, was based on the travels of which Hollywood actor?  Answer »
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