Four-Star Films : ‘Sullivan’s Travels’
Preston Sturges’ thoroughly remarkable and astonishing film stars Joel McCrea (pictured) as a young Hollywood star in the flush of success who discovers he has a social consciousness so burgeoning that he decides to find out what poverty is like first-hand by turning hobo. What ensues is consistently surprising: the film begins like a classic slick Hollywood comedy, but its humor gradually disappears as McCrea is catapulted into his hobo existence for real. Sturges pulls off the most drastic shifts in tone, managing to have it both ways, as a sparkling madcap comedy part of the way and stinging social satire the rest. McCrea and leading lady Veronica Lake (pictured) are immensely appealing, with William Demarest heading a sterling supporting cast (AMC Friday at 7 p.m.).
Other four-star films airing this week include:
Going My Way / Disney, Monday, 2:20 a.m.
The Grapes of Wrath / AMC Monday, 7 and 11:05 p.m.
One, Two Three / TNT, Tuesday, 12:15 a.m.
East of Eden / SHOW, Tuesday, 7 and 11 p.m.
Of Mice and Men / (1939) AMC, Wednesday, 7:05 and 11:05 p.m.
The Heiress / AMC, Friday, 3 p.m.
Only good movies
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