Preston Sturges
August 29, 1898 Chicago
August 6, 1959 New York City
The Documentary Below details the amazing life and career of Preston Sturges
This is the third film directed and written by Preston Sturges I have posted upon. My prior posts were on Sullivan's Travels and The French They Are a Funny Race.
The plot follows an ambitious clerk who is tricked into thinking he has won $25,000 in a slogan contest for a coffee company, and begins using his believed winnings to fulfill his dreams. It was Sturges' second film as writer-director, after The Great McGinty (also 1940).
The film's title refers to the protagonist's belief that he has won a Christmas-themed contest in the middle of July. This sets the stage for a series of comedic misadventures as he tries to spend his newfound wealth in a way that is both festive and practical. (His weekly wage was $22.00 from which he also supported his elderly mother. His girl friend played by Ellen Drew made $18.00 a week.)
The film explores themes of class and social mobility. The protagonist, Jimmy MacDonald (Powell), is a low-paid clerk who dreams of one day becoming wealthy and successful. When he believes he has won the contest, he is able to experience a taste of the high life, but he quickly realizes that money cannot buy happiness.
Christmas in July is a classic example of Preston Sturges' unique brand of screwball comedy. The film is full of witty dialogue, sight gags, and absurd situations. It is also a surprisingly thoughtful film that explores the human condition in a humorous way.
Here are some of the things that make Christmas in July a great film:
The witty dialogue: Sturges was a master of dialogue, and Christmas in July is full of quotable lines.
The sight gags: The film is full of physical comedy and sight gags that will make you laugh out loud.
The absurd situations: The film's plot is full of absurd situations that are both funny and thought-provoking.
The performances: The cast is excellent, and they all give memorable performances.
The social commentary: The film also has a layer of social commentary that is still relevant today.
Mel Ulm
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