Sullivans Travels (1941) Criterion 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Tired of churning out lightweight comedies, Hollywood director John L. Sullivan
(Joel McCrea) decides to make O Brother, Where Art Thou?—a serious, socially
responsible film about human suffering. After his producers point out that he
knows nothing of hardship, Sullivan hits the road disguised as a hobo. En route
to enlightenment, he encounters a lovely but no-nonsense young woman (Veronica
Lake)—and more trouble than he ever dreamed of. This comic masterpiece by
Preston Sturges is among the finest Hollywood satires and a high-water mark in
the career of one of the industry’s most revered funnymen.





Extras

• Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer - This outstanding
documentary film focuses on the life and legacy of Preston Sturges. It was
written by Todd McCarthy and narrated by Fritz Weaver. The documentary was made
for PBS's American Masters series in 1990. (76 min, 720p).

• Sandy Sturges - In this archival video interview, Sandy Sturges, author of
Preston Sturges on Preston Sturges, explains how Preston Sturges became a
playwright, and discusses his thoughts on Hollywood, his interactions with the
people from his stock company, his special admiration for Barbara Stanwyck, his
work with Joel McCrea, his relationships with Ernst Lubitsch and Howard Hughes
(with some very interesting comments about Vendetta), etc. The interview was
conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2001. (14 min, 720p).

• Ants in Your Plants of 1941 - In this new video essay, filmmaker David Cairns
and director Bill Forsyth (That Sinking Feeling, Gregory's Girl) discuss the
European qualities of Sullivan's Travels (and specifically its social and
political overtones), its speed and chaotic energy, the brilliance of the
dialog, the great contributions from the excellent supporting cats, some of the
main themes from Sullivan's Travels which Bill Forsyth borrowed for his film
Comfort & Joy, etc. The essay was created exclusively for Criterion in 2014.
(18 min, 720p).

• Sturges Talks to Hedda Hopper - A short audio interview for the program Hedda
Hopper's Hollywood on January 28, 1951. (5 min).

• Sturges Recites "If I Were A King" - A rare homemade audio recording in which
director Preston Sturges recites Justin Huntly McCarthy's poem "If I Were a
King". The poem is featured in Justin Huntly McCarthy's play of the same name
-- based on the life of French poet Francois Villon -- which was the basis for
the 1938 film If I Were King, written by Preston Sturges. (2 min).

• Sturges Sings "My Love" - A homemade recording from 1938 in which director
Preston Sturges sings "My Love", one of many songs he composed that appeared in
such films as William Wyler's The Gay Deception, George Marshall's Houdini, and
his own The Miracle of Morgan's Creek and Hail the Conquering Hero. (2 min).

• Commentary - This audio commentary features filmmakers Noah Baumbach, Kenneth
Bowser, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean, and initially appeared on
Criterion's DVD release of Sullivan's Travels. It was recorded exclusively for
Criterion in 2001.