67. Preston Sturges
PRESTON STURGES
SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS, UNFAITHFULLY YOURS, THE LADY EVE
Though known best for his work as a writer – and injecting humanity and some facade of realism into the screwball comedy is certainly worth noting – Preston Sturges made a formidable mark with his direction as well. With an enthusiasm that comes from a man with a lot to prove (writer-directors were uncommon in that era, and he sold the story for The Great McGinty to Paramount for $1 in exchange for the job of directing it), he expanded the cinematic language with which one could make a sound comedy with an educated understanding of the world. One can only look back with fondness on the sudden burst of energy towards the end of Miracle at Morgan Creek, or the effortless weaving of classical music in Unfaithfully Yours (never mind his greatest image, from that film, of Rex Harrison cackling maniacally as he fantasizes his revenge scheme).
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