Preston Sturges holds a unique place in the history of American cinema.
In 1940, he would become the first writer to get the chance to direct his own script.
Today, there would be nothing unusual about this at all, but in 1940, this was positively groundbreaking.
There had been writer-directors before Sturges, certainly, but they had achieved the ability to direct their own scripts in reverse: starting as directors, and becoming involved in the scripting of their own films.
Sturges had begun his career writing Broadway plays, and subsequently came to Hollywood, where he toiled as a screenwriter, often uncredited, on such films as
The Invisible Man and
Imitation of Life. It was with comedy that Sturges would make his mark; in 1937, he wrote the script for
Easy Living, which – although directed by Mitchell Leisen (a competent craftsman, but not the stylist that Sturges was) – bears the trademark Sturges wit through and through. It was just a short step from that to directing his first film just three years later.
Sturges remains one of the most important figures in American screen comedy. Between 1940 and 1944, he would turn out a series of films for Paramount Pictures that were simply unequaled for their consistently clever dialogue, smart direction, and expert performances.
The story of Preston Sturges remains an inspiration to filmmakers seeking to make their voice heard, and to put their vision on the screen.
