Year:
1940
Studio:
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Feature:
3/5
DVD:
1/5
Feature
After watching "You've Got Mail", the DVD mentioned that "The Shop
Around the Corner" is an earlier version -- actually the first film
version of a certain play. Really they're quite different movies, the
common element being a "long distance" pen pal romance where the pen
pals unknowingly already know each other as somewhat enemies.
Matuschek's is a smallish gift shop in Budapest (though except for an
element or two, I couldn't tell the story takes place in another
country). It's actually a struggling shop and Alfred Kralik (James
Stewart) being old man Matuschek's (Frank Morgan) right hand man. There
are five other employees and although somewhat interesting they're just
backdrop.
It's a rather uninteresting life until she walks in. Klara Novak
(Margaret Sullavan) is a young woman desperate for a job. Through a
combination of charm and opportunity, she is hired as the newest clerk,
working under Alfred. Unfortunately, Alfred and Klara don't agree on
anything regarding the shop, resulting in much friction.
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The only thing
they have in common is their pen pal, who apparently
they've come to love. It's only half way through the movie that the
audience and Alfred discover that Klara is his wonderful pen pal. But
how can he reconcile Klara and his idealized love?
Actors
Jimmy Stewart -- uniquely distinct voice, tall and lanky with an
aw-shucks attitude. To me he's spot on made for certain roles and not
others. Luckily, this is a movie where he shines. Margaret Sullavan is
ok but I guess nothing distinctive and special.
DVD
There is an old 10-minute documentary, "The Miracle of Sound", showing
how sound used to be recorded and added to film (and the process is
probably quite similar today). The theatrical trailer is also included.
Recommendations
A quaint romantic comedy. Probably appealing to people who like to
watch old movies. Not as interesting for today's movie goers. More of a
rental than a buy it movie. |