Sullivan’s Travels (1941) Arrow

[rapta]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Well, this exceeded all expectations (the film I mean, though of course the image and overall package is lovely too). I was going in almost completely blind, all I knew I was in for was a comedy. I got so much more; this is one of the best films about filmmaking ever made. Roll on the Sturges Box Set!

Glad to hear it! I have one reserved at work but wasn't sure, then I watched a short clip on YouTube and the page of the dialogue and sharp wit had me grinning. Looking forward to seeing my first Sturges film!

[crazyman]

Originally Posted by Yami

Is it just me or was one particular sequence influenced by William Wellman's Beggars of Life? Admittedly, that's a bit of an obscure film but take a look:

[Show spoiler]

I'm 99.9% sure Sturges was influenced by Beggars for Life and I hope it is discussed on the Arrow Blu-ray to highlight a woefully underseen movie, which is also in desperate need of a Blu-ray.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

The juxtaposition is genius.

Indeed. Sturges said that the film committed some "horrible crimes against juxtaposition" but it's the juxtaposition that makes the movie what it is and, somewhat ironically for a film that was supposedly intended by Sturges to tell his comedic peers to "leave the preaching to the preachers," allows it to pack a punch while still being funny.

[Dan8700]

Very glad to see all the love for ST, definitely Sturges' most accomplished work! Great Preston directed at least another 2-3 quite objective masterpieces (Hail the Conquering Hero, The Lady Eve, The Great McGinty), and I really can't wait to replace my DVDs...

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

...and the poster from the October 1973 New York release, radically redesigned after it was thought that the first poster was misleading people into expecting a conventional thriller:

This one looks like it was done by one of the MAD magazine artists that work on the movie spoofs.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by crazyman

I'm 99.9% sure Sturges was influenced by Beggars for Life and I hope it is discussed on the Arrow Blu-ray to highlight a woefully underseen movie, which is also in desperate need of a Blu-ray.

All filmmakers are influenced by someone so this wouldn't surprise me. I'll check out Beggars for Life now. Even Sturges' own script and story structure for The Power and the Glory (1933) were obvious influences on Orson Welles' Citizen Kane (1941).

[BTW, that poster was drawn by E.C. Comics and MAD Magazine artist, Jack Davis]

[manicsounds]

Whoever maintains the "Sullivan's Travels" entry in the database, for some reason the specs cannot be updated because of some error.

[RDA]

Originally Posted by Yami

I couldn't agree more, Eddie! I'd heard a bit about Sturges before, but I was completely blown away. I don't think I've seen a film as funny, as dramatically engaging and as socially conscious outside the oeuvre of Chaplin. The expressionistic shot of the prisoners marching in front of the church as we hear the congregation singing 'Go Down Moses' gave me goosebumps. Roll on the Sturges box set, indeed. I want more!

I hadn't seen any Sturges before 'Sullivan's Travels', which I bought as a blind buy, but I completely agree. It's such an exceptional film and I would now definitely buy a Sturges boxset! The Kevin Jackson interview was superb and the documentary has got me very excited about seeing more Sturges asap!

Arrow posted a list of their 10 favourite screwball comedies: http://arrowvideodeck.blogspot.co.uk...s-travels.html. I'm going to make my way through those on the list I haven't seen asap. 'My Man Godfrey' was incredible and that's a film I would like to see get the Arrow treatment.

I'm aware there's probably nothing set in stone regarding a Sturges boxset until it gets a green light (or not), but I'm wondering whether it would likely be similar to the Universal DVD sets in terms of content? Or Arrow would try to include as much of Sturges' filmography as possible? From the brief research I've done, it seems like different rights holders might prevent a complete filmography boxset.

MichaelB - Can you comment on any of this at all?

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

If a box set happens, it's unlikely to feature any content not owned by Universal - so no The Miracle of Morgan's Creek or anything post-1945.

And it's also unlikely to include Sullivan's Travels, for the simple reason that if Arrow is encouraging people to buy it in order to trigger the greenlight for a box set, they're going to be somewhat miffed if they get the same disc all over again.

So basically we're talking The Great McGinty, Christmas in July, The Lady Eve, The Palm Beach Story, Hail the Conquering Hero and The Great Moment - in other words, everything in the DVD box apart from Sullivan's Travels.

(Obviously, none of this is set in stone, but I suspect this will be the situation.)

At least three of those titles feature in David Thomson's 'Have You Seen?' his choice of 1,000 films that should be viewed. I use it as a sort of rule of thumb for blind buys (did so for Sullivan's Travels, which he also recommends) and it's rarely let me down.

A Sturges box-set would be cat-nip, and a much needed fix after the Borowcyzk collection. (I'm aware they're polar opposites , it feels enriching to re-appraise directors who have slightly gone off radar.

[skyofcrack]

ANY Preston Sturges boxed set on Blu-ray is a good idea no matter what titles might be left out due to rights issues. At least it would be another step, (after Sullivan's Travels) in getting the catalog released in HD.

[josuv22]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Whoever maintains the "Sullivan's Travels" entry in the database, for some reason the specs cannot be updated because of some error.

there a spec waiting approval maybe that effecting other inputs.

on side note, did anyone who ordered this direct from Arrow receive their copy, I guessing this one didn't ship out early

[RDA]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

If a box set happens, it's unlikely to feature any content not owned by Universal - so no The Miracle of Morgan's Creek or anything post-1945.

And it's also unlikely to include Sullivan's Travels, for the simple reason that if Arrow is encouraging people to buy it in order to trigger the greenlight for a box set, they're going to be somewhat miffed if they get the same disc all over again.

So basically we're talking The Great McGinty, Christmas in July, The Lady Eve, The Palm Beach Story, Hail the Conquering Hero and The Great Moment - in other words, everything in the DVD box apart from Sullivan's Travels.

(Obviously, none of this is set in stone, but I suspect this will be the situation.)

Cool! And many thanks for the response. I hope Arrow will get Kevin Jackson involved again if this boxset happens. Fingers crossed for the boxset!

[RDA]

Great news!

[josuv22]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

The official release date is today, so you have only to look at quite a few posts above to see that several people received their copies early.

I saw few mention that Zavii shipped theirs and others said they received it, but they didn't mention if they had ordered direct from Arrow. Most of time if you had ordered direct you tend to receive your copy before the street date.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by josuv22

I saw few mention that Zavii shipped theirs and others said they received it, but they didn't mention if they had ordered direct from Arrow. Most of time if you had ordered direct you tend to receive your copy before the street date.

I updated my sig link to reflect that Arrow were selling copies from their shop and that was before Zavvi started shipping copies which was on 5/20. Around 5/12.

I think most people were ordering from Zavvi because of the cheaper price (me included) and that's why you don't have accounts of people receiving copies from Arrow.

I have a similar signature on several forums trying to get the most sales possible for Sullivan's Travels to hopefully get a boxed set.

[josuv22]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

I updated my sig link to reflect that Arrow were selling copies from their shop and that was before Zavvi started shipping copies which was on 5/20. Around 5/12.

I think most people were ordering from Zavvi because of the cheaper price (me included) and that's why you don't have accounts of people receiving copies from Arrow.

I have a similar signature on several forums trying to get the most sales possible for Sullivan's Travels to hopefully get a boxed set.

OK, I had mine ordered from Arrow, via the old website so it is one that I will not receive a dispatch email for. I guess I wait till Friday and if I don't have it by then I ask Arrow for an update.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by josuv22

OK, I had mine ordered from Arrow, via the old website so it is one that I will not receive a dispatch email for. I guess I wait till Friday and if I don't have it by then I ask Arrow for an update.

You should send Arrow a quick e-mail asking what day your (order #) shipped out.

[88thCrazy]

I pre-ordered at Zavvi, and still no dispatch email.

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by 88thCrazy

I pre-ordered at Zavvi, and still no dispatch email.

Now that does sound odd. I Pre-ordered my copy on 18th May and it was delivered Friday just gone (23rd).

Have you checked your account to see at what stage the despatch process is at?

[88thCrazy]

It's still 'processing' - I had the infamous order update email from them over the weekend, but hopefully it gets dispatched today.