The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

If you think this is simply the precursor to You've Got Mail, you've got another thing coming!

Intro.

In keeping with my theme of holiday films, I decided to watch The Shop Around the Corner the other day.  My original plan was to watch part of it while I had dinner, then do some chores and then finish it later.  Well, needless to say, those chores never got done because I fell so much in love with the film.  I had vaguely remembered seeing it some time back, but found myself surprised and also deeply moved upon watching it this time around.

Overview 

The opening screen of the movie reads: "This is the story of Matuschek and Company - of Mr. Matuschek and the people who work for him.  It is just around the corner from Andrassy Street - on Balta Street in Budapest, Hungary."  Indeed it is about Mr. Matuschek (Frank Morgan) and his employees in his leather goods shop in the few weeks leading up to Christmas.  His lead salesman is Alfred Kralik (Jimmy Stewart), whom he treats like a son.  There's also the arrogant Mr. Vadas (Joseph Schildkraut), the kindly father and fellow clerk Mr. Pirovitch (Felix Bressart) and delivery boy Pepi (William Tracy).  A woman named Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) comes into the shop and despite not being able to support another clerk, Matuschek hires her because she is able to sell a musical cigarette box that Kralik is convinced won't sell.  Klara and Kralik do not hit it off and their rocky relationship continues until Kralik is fired.  During that time, they both reveal (not to each other) that each has been corresponding with an anonymous pen-pal.  In truth, Kralik has fallen in love with this woman who writes to him as "Dear Friend" and Klara thinks her "Dear Friend" is a gentleman far better than Mr. Kralik.  You probably guessed it - they are each other's dear friends.  Kralik realizes it before Klara and tries to patch up their rough work relationship.  That isn't easy because, as I said, he was fired.  Mr. Matuschek believes one of his employees is having an affair with this wife, and only Kralik had ever been to Mr. Matuschek's home.  When the PI confirms that he has proof, a devastated Mr. Matuschek fires Kralik.  When the evidence proves it is in fact a different employee, Mr. Matuschek breaks down and tries to commit suicide, interrupted only by Pepi's late return to the otherwise empty shop.  Kralik gets his job back, even a promotion to store manager, and the only thing left to do is reveal to Klara who her pen pal truly is.

Highlights
So much has already been said about the wonderful chemistry between Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, but I have to add a brief comment.  They are absolutely brilliant screen partners and make a great couple whether they are arguing about suitcases or talking about love.  Not only are their characters well rounded, but also well acted.  I love the scene in the cafe when the pen-pals are supposed to meet for the first time, but Kralik realizes that Klara is his date and he can't bring himself to face her.  Instead he takes off his carnation and meets her as if he too is waiting to meet someone and tries to get her opinion on her mysterious pen pal.  It's great! 

I think what really struck me about this film was Matuschek.  That intro. card was right - it really is about him and the people in his shop.  Frank Morgan gives a great performance and his depression then recovery really hits at the heart of this film.  It isn't just about pen pals lovers who unknowingly work (and bicker) together.  It's also about love lost and the toll infidelity takes.  Matuschek's realization that his employees were more family to him and his shop was his home is both sad and  beautiful.  That theme is often repeated in holiday films too; that Christmas in particular is really about the gift of those we love, including "families" of people who aren't actually related.           


I was so excited to see this film appear in the New York Times Critics' Picks section.  There's a wonderful film clip there with reviewer A. O. Scott talking about The Shop Around the Corner.  He mentions that the film takes place in Budapest although none of the actors look Hungarian (and speak English with distinct American accents *I'm looking at you, Jimmy Stewart*).  Scott says that it could be that director Ernst Lubitsch, who was originally from Germany, could have been trying to recapture some of the nostalgia and comfort of the "old country."  I thought about when this film came out and how with all the immigration to America at the turn of the century and into the 1920s, the audience in 1940 probably were from Eastern Europe or were children of immigrants from that area.  It could have been a piece of their family history or they could imagine their parents shopping at a similar store once upon a time.  I'm more than a few generations away, but I also loved that nostalgic, old-world charm, particularly as some of my family came from Czechoslovakia and had similar sounding surnames (at least similar sounding to me anyway).  I'm not sure if WWII played a role in it either, though it's an interesting idea - why didn't they simply change the store to New York or even Bedford Falls? 

The Shop Around the Corner does wax nostalgic and has its share of charm.  I know I've said this before, but I am not a fan of remakes.  Usually the classic films are the ones that really get things right; films today are usually more concerned with what can make the most money in a weekend as opposed to having a great story.  Although I do enjoy some remakes, I think it's always good to go back and see the original, and The Shop Around the Corner is no exception.  It's been remade as In the Good Ole Summertime, Shop, and You've Got Mail.  It has other followers too.  All those Christmas-themed love stories, all those romantic comedies about people hating each other then finding out it's really love after all - they all owe their story lines to The Shop Around the Corner.  It's true that the formula of bickering, misunderstandings and eventual true love isn't new. You could go back at least as far as Pride and Prejudice (and probably even further) and find the same story.  But The Shop Around the Corner was one of the first films to really get it right and make an almost perfect film.

Review and Recommendation
If you haven't yet watched The Shop Around the Corner, add it to your list.  Curl up with some of the people you love and enjoy this great film.  Perfect for the holidays, but just as enjoyable any day of the year, I have a feeling you'll fall in love with Klara and Kralik and all the folks at Matuschek and Company!