Preston Sturges: Turning Drama into Laughs

the talkative and self-absorbed Princess Centimilla. After playing silent movie damsels in distress and troubled women in a series of early sound dramas, Astor plays her fast-paced comedy role as if she's never done anything else.

The central plot of Palm Beach concerns a married couple on the skids. Colbert thinks that her husband McCrea will find the good life faster without her and she doesn't want to wait around for him to be a financial success anyway. At least, she doesn't think she does. She takes off for Palm Beach to get a quick divorce and charms an eccentric millionaire (played by Vallee) along the way. The princess is the millionaire's sister, a woman who seems to marry as frequently as she dines, and without any apparent regrets.

Sturges called Palm Beach an "illustration of [his] theory of the aristocracy of beauty".** He proves his point with Colbert, but he really drives it home with Astor. Her character is quite aware that she behaves terribly and she seems delighted about it. Though her wealth is obviously an attraction for her suitors, her uncomplicated belief in her own sex appeal is also very powerful. The movie was another success for Sturges and it is also one of his better-paced efforts.

Books to Read:
**Preston Sturges: His Life in His Words, By Preston Sturges
Veronica, By Veronica Lake (out of print)
*Stanwyck, By Axel Madsen (out of print)
A Life on Film, By Mary Astor (out of print)

Remember, you can often find out of print books through online booksellers (in the used and rare sections), auctions, used book stores, and your local library.

Recommended Links:
The Official Preston Sturges Website
Barbara Stanwyck Tribute
Peek-a-boo Bang (a tribute to Veronica Lake)

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