Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges
#### A Maverick Filmmaker of Great Originality
Full Name and Common Aliases
Preston Sturges was born Edmund Preston Tigar on August 29, 1898, in Chicago, Illinois. He would later adopt the surname "Sturges" from his father, a stockbroker.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: August 29, 1898, Chicago, Illinois
Died: August 6, 1959 (at age 60), New York City
Nationality and Profession(s)
American screenwriter, director, producer, and playwright. Sturges is renowned for his innovative storytelling and masterful character development.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a wealthy family, Preston was exposed to the world of theater from an early age. He was heavily influenced by his father's love for Shakespearean drama and developed a passion for acting himself. After dropping out of Princeton University, Sturges pursued a career in writing and eventually made his way to Hollywood.
Major Accomplishments
Sturges is credited with revolutionizing American comedy through his work on films such as The Great McGinty (1940), The Lady Eve (1941), Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942), and Unfaithfully Yours (1948). His ability to craft complex, witty dialogue and create relatable characters raised the bar for comedies in Hollywood.
Notable Works or Actions
Sturges' breakthrough as a writer came with his work on the 1933 stage play The Guinea Pig, which earned him a Tony Award. He continued to write for film, eventually making his directorial debut with The Great McGinty. The success of this film led to Sturges becoming one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood.
Impact and Legacy
Sturges' innovative approach to storytelling has left an indelible mark on cinema. His emphasis on character development, clever dialogue, and satire paved the way for generations of comedians and filmmakers. Today, his films are celebrated for their timeless humor, memorable characters, and groundbreaking direction.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Preston Sturges is remembered as a master of comedic storytelling. His ability to craft witty dialogue, complex characters, and clever plot twists has made him one of the most beloved and respected filmmakers in history. As a writer, director, and producer, Sturges' innovative spirit continues to inspire new generations of artists.
In his own words: "The only thing an actor owes his public is not to bore them." This quote captures the essence of Sturges' approach to storytelling – entertaining, engaging, and uncompromising. As a figure in American cinema, Preston Sturges remains an icon, celebrated for his groundbreaking work and enduring influence on the art of filmmaking.
Quotes by Preston Sturges
That’s one of the tragedies of this life – that the men who are most in need of a beating up are always enormous.
When the last dime is gone, I’ll sit on the curb outside with a pencil and a ten cent notebook and start the whole thing over again.
Now I’ve laid me down to die I pray my neighbors not to pry Too deeply into sins that I Not only cannot here deny But much enjoyed as life flew by.
After I saw a couple of pictures put out by my fellow comedy-directors, which seemed to have abandoned the fun in favor of the message, I wrote Sullivan’s Travels to satisfy an urge to tell them that they were getting a little too deep-dish, to leave the preaching to the preachers.
A pretty girl is better than a plain one. A leg is better than an arm. A bedroom is better than a living room. An arrival is better that a departure. A birth is better than a death. A chase is better than a chat. A dog is better than a landscape. A kitten is better than a dog. A baby is better than a kitten. A kiss is better than a baby. A pratfall is better than anything.
Now I've laid me down to die I pray my neighbors not to pry Too deeply into sins that I Not only cannot here deny But much enjoyed as life flew by.
After I saw a couple of pictures put out by my fellow comedy-directors, which seemed to have abandoned the fun in favor of the message, I wrote Sullivan's Travels to satisfy an urge to tell them that they were getting a little too deep-dish, to leave the preaching to the preachers.
The hook is a word or an idea spoken by one character which gives the next character something to hook onto when he responds or, like a trapeze artist, gives him something to swing from on his way to another point of view.