This 1941 Depression-era picaresque is arguably the best of Preston Sturges’ string of hit comedies. Joel McCrea plays the Hollywood golden boy director who wants to make serious fare (his vanity project is called O Brother, Where Art Thou?, as later referenced by the Coen brothers), then he goes out in the real world, finding real hardship, Veronica Lake, and a place on a chain gang. Laughter, he sensibly decides, is more important, and Sturges certainly knows how to supply those laughs. A classic. (No show Wed. April 1.) (NR) BRIAN MILLER

March 27-April 2, 2009