On this day in 1898, the great film writer and director Preston Sturges was born. It is best to think of him as a writer, although his films were energetically shot and edited. But his scripts are really some of the best ever. He wrote exclusively comedies that are generally considered screwball. And they were very often that, but I think that is a bit tight a fit for what he did.
His first film as writer-director was The Great McGinty. It tells the story of Dan McGinty, a man who rises through the ranks of the state’s corrupt political system to be governor. Along the way, he marries his secretary because he needs to be married for appearances. The problem is that he falls in love with her, decides to be honest, and has his political life fall apart. It is one of my favorite films.
Sturges next film is equally silly but more conventional, Christmas in July. Then came one of his best, The Lady Eve. It stars Barbara Stanwyck as a con artist who falls in love with her mark played by Henry Fonda:
And then came what is widely considered Sturges masterpiece, Sullivan’s Travels. I’m not that fond of it, but I do love Veronica Lake.
It tells the story of a famous comedy director who wants to travel the nation undercover and find out what life is like for the poor souls who aren’t famous movie directors. Eventually, he actually finds trouble and learns important lessons about life. The film is mostly interesting for a few references to it in O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Palm Beach Story is perhaps the perfect screwball comedy. It is silly in the extreme with a wonderfully preposterous ending. It is a whole lot of fun:
Sturges next did one of the most bizarre films ever, The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek. Basically, it is all one big exercise in making a film about premarital sex without getting stopped by the censors.
But it is well worth checking out. Betty Hutton in the lead is irresistible. And Akim Tamiroff and Brian Donlevy reprise their roles from The Great McGinty in it.
After that came another excellent film, Hail the Conquering Hero. Sturges made a couple of films after that but I won’t talk about them because (1) they are generally not considered all that good and (2) I haven’t seen them.
I highly recommend getting, Preston Sturges—The Filmmaker Collection. It includes all his major films with the exception of Morgan’s Creek.
Happy birthday Preston Sturges!
One more I’d add — “Unfaithfully Yours.” Rex Harrison is a famous conductor who imagines his wife is cheating on him. So he imagines doing away with her and her supposed lover in three different fantasy sequences, each set to a different classical music staple. The joke is, even in his fantasy revenge plots, he’s hopelessly inept.
The film also has one of my favorite lines. “If you need to get something done, ask a busy person. The others never have enough time.”
I will look for it. It sounds good. I only know the 8 films I have. I have a 7 film boxed set that includes all of the first 8 except Miracle. And I have that one as a single. I really should find all the others, given how much I like his work. That’s for the recommendation!
Thought you might like the “busy person” line. When I saw it, a few years ago, I was absolutely screaming for help, doing everything, and my boss who did very much less didn’t have enough time.
Mostly I find old comedies more charming than hilarious, and that film fits the mold, but I did laugh a lot at that line.
Hmm. I might take issue with that claim. But I will let you know when I get the film!
As one who has taken the considerable effort needed to see all of Sturges’ films, I can say (imo) that even the last two (The Beautiful Blonde of Bashful Bend—great ridiculous title—and the ever reviled The French They Are a Funny Race—are not so great but otoh have treasurable moments. The film that precedes these two, The Sin of Harold Diddlebock, starring Harold Lloyd, is a comic masterpiece that stands up to numerous repeated viewings. Its release, unfortunately subject to the whim of Howard Hughes, was long delayed, allowing the public to assume it was a disaster. But no—seriously NO—it’s as funny as the Paramount series. Highly recommended!
Thanks! I will check those films out!