Preston Sturges

Preston Sturges (1898 - 1959) was a comedic auteur and one of the earliest screenwriters to branch out into directing his own stories, eventually producing as well. The twelve films which he wrote and directed include The Great McGinty and Christmas in July (both 1940), Sullivan's Travels and The Lady Eve (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942) The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, The Great Moment and Hail the Conquering Hero (all 1944), The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947), and Unfaithfully Yours (1948).

He also cameoed in Christmas in July (as a man at a shoe-shine stand) and Sullivan's Travels (as a studio director).