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His turn to directing was largely because he didnt like the way other directors made his films.
His satires often called out American institutions that were normally held in treacly reverence.
Sullivans Travels(1941):Sullivans Travelsis a love letter to the comedy genre.
Sullivan soon learns that trouble isnt so romantic, as he lands himself in jail.
Its Sturges deftly poking fun at the seriousness of high art and the devaluing of comedy.
Its plot, simply, is bonkers.
Hackensacker (former teen idol Rudy Vallee reinventing himself), whos eager to take her husbands place.
And somehow,thatseemed more tasteful to Hollywood censors.
While the plots dark undergirding is hard to let go of, particularly now,Miraclehas its moments.
Meanwhile, Sturgess extended company of players steals the movie.
Only problem is he never actually served.
He was discharged for hay fever but told his mother hed been shipped overseas.
Soon enough, hes unwillingly running for mayor.
When Woodrow has stress nightmares, one tells him, Youre lucky you dont have em all the time.
But when he suspects her of infidelity, his thoughts take a dark turn.
That night Alfred fantasizes as hes conducting a large concert about confronting his wife over her imagined transgressions.
Its grim until he puts his plan into action and finds fantasy and reality divergent.
Unfaithfully Yoursflopped in the box office, reportedly because audiences couldnt see its dark subject matter as funny.
But here Sturges is examining more than misogyny, fixing instead on his heros fragile masculinity.
