Preston Sturges the same scene. A tender love scene between Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck in "The Lady Eve" was enlivened by a horse, which repeatedly poked its nose into Fonda's head. Prior to Sturges, other figures in Hollywood (such as Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, and Frank Capra) had directed films from their own scripts, however Sturges is often regarded as the first Hollywood figure to establish success as a screenwriter and then move into directing his own scripts, at a time when those roles were separate. Sturges famously sold the story for "The Great McGinty" to Paramount Pictures for $1, in
Christmas in July (film) movie. The film was released on video in the U.S. on July 12th, 1990, and re-released on June 30th, 1993. "Lux Radio Theatre" presented a radio adaptation of "Christmas in July" on June 26, 1944, with Dick Powell and Linda Darnell as leads. On September 9th, 1954, NBC presented a television version on "Lux Video Theatre" with Nancy Gates, Alex Nicol and Raymond Walburn starring; the director was Earl Eby and the adaptation was by S.H. Barnett. Christmas in July (film) Christmas in July is a 1940 comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges based on his 1931 play