Preston Sturges's Vision of America: Critical Analyses of Fourteen Films

by Jay Rozgonyi

McFarland & Company (series)

Preston Sturges' independence was at least partially responsible for his unique filmmaking style, marked by razor-sharp dialogue, wild plot turns and wondrously original supporting characters. Works such as The Power and the Glory, The Lady Eve and The Sin of Harold Diddlebock offer a distinctive and often satirical view of American life, deflating many of the ideals (honesty, justice, hard work, democracy, and others) that Americans feel a need to embrace. Each entry includes full filmographic data, a plot synopsis, and critical analysis of the movie.