Director Preston Sturges ribs Hollywood. Here, Joel McCrea plays a guilt-stricken director of comedies who wants to make a socially relevant film. Dressed as a bum, he hits the road in order to experience firsthand the poor man’s plight. This satire isn’t as zany or funny as the other Sturges I have seen. It’s still fun, though. Also, it doesn’t belabor the message at its heart (that comedy is needed and important, especially in hard times). Raising my grade by a notch is Veronica Lake. She is the quintessential blonde bombshell.
Rating: B+
