Written and Directed by Preston Sturges (Box Set) DVD | Movie Mail UK

Star Review

One of the giants of American screen comedy receives due reward with this set featuring seven of his finest films. With their sparkling dialogue, ingenious situations and memorable one-liners complementing the physical comedy in the films, there is much to enjoy. The satire has lost none of its edge either.
Films featured are The Great McGinty - a tale of down-and-out Dan McGinty's corrupt rise from skid row to the state governer's mansion. Only when he once tries to be honest does his false world crumble. Sturges sold the script to Paramount for $10 in return for being allowed to direct the film. Sullivan's Travels is one of the best satires about Hollywood filmmaking, in which a director, played by Joel McCrea, decides to make a socially-conscious movie - then realises he doesn't know the first thing about how the other half live. In the brilliantly funny romantic comedy The Lady Eve, Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck excel in their roles as con artist and brewing heir respectively, while Hail the Conquering Hero sees a town make a war hero out of a man who never went to war. Also featured are Christmas in July, The Palm Beach Story and The Great Moment. A great collection.

MovieMail on 9th August 2005

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