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After years of shooting comedies, influential Hollywood director John Sullivan (Joel McCrea) decides that it is time for him to make a serious film about poverty in America. But the two studio bosses that greenlight his projects are concerned – Sullivan was born rich and his success in Hollywood has made him even richer, so what does he know about poverty?

Determined to prove that he can direct serious films just as well as he does comedies, Sullivan dresses as a hobo and leaves Hollywood.

On his travels Sullivan befriends a penniless but big-hearted girl (a luminous Veronica Lake) who shares his experiences and wins his love. Their madcap misadventures take a much darker turn before Sullivan finally sees the light.

Director: Preston Sturges
Cast: Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Robert Warwick, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance

BD50 + DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:31:03 | 44.6 Gb + 7.65 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Commentary - this audio commentary features filmmakers Noah Baumbach, Kenneth Bowser, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean. It was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2001.

• 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. In English, not subtitled. (76 min, 1080p).

• 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. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, 1080i).

• 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. In English, not subtitled. (18 min, 1080p).

• Archival Audio:

• Sturges Talks to Hedda Hopper - this short radio interview with Preston Sturges was originally broadcast on the program Hedda Hopper's Hollywood on January 28, 1951. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).

• Sturges Recites "If I Were A King" - presented here is a rare homemade 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. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• Sturges Sings "My Love" - presented here is 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. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).