Preston Sturges (1898-1966) was an acclaimed American director and screenwriter, an emblematic figure of Hollywood's Golden Age. He is renowned for his brilliant and satirical comedies of the 1940s, characterized by rapid-fire and biting dialogues, intricate plots, and eccentric characters who often grapple with social conventions and human folly.

Sturges was among the first to write and direct his own screenplays, combining slapstick humor with sophisticated social satire. His most significant works include screwball comedy masterpieces such as *The Lady Eve* (1941) and *The Palm Beach Story* (1942), as well as *Sullivan's Travels* (1941), a comedy reflecting on the role of art. For *The Great McGinty* (1940), a political satire, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. His style, unique in blending cynicism and warmth, remains a touchstone for intelligence and humor in cinema.