The Shop Around the Corner

Film Notes

Ernst Lubitsch is offering some attractive screen merchandise in "The Shop Around the Corner" which opened at the Music Hall yesterday. "Ninotchka" appears to have used up his supply of hearty comedy for the time at least, but his sense of humor is inexhaustible. He has employed it to brighten the shelves where his tidy Continental romance is stored and, among the bric-à-brac, there are several fragile scenes which he is handling with his usual delicacy and charm, assisted by a friendly staff of sales-people who are going under resoundingly Hungarian names, but remind us strangely of Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan and Joseph Schildkraut. All told, they make "The Shop Around the Corner" a pleasant place to browse in.

The shop Mr. Lubitsch has opened, for his romantic-comedy purposes, is a very real one: Matuschek & Co. is its name; it seems to be in Budapest, and Mr. Morgan is not alone Matuschek, but the "& Co." as well. His clerks are most deferential. The ritual of each day's shop-opening is punctiliously observed. Less reverent, perhaps, is the circumstance that Clerk Vadas (Mr. Schildkraut) is having an affair with Madame Matuschek. Still more distressing is the fact that Matuschek suspects Clerk Kralik of the intrigue, while Kralik (being Mr. Stewart and therefore purer than Galahad) has been doing nothing worse than conducting an anonymous Lonelyheart correspondence with a dream girl who also happens to be working in the shop—although neither of them has the faintest notion that the other is the Dear Friend of the letters. In fact, Kralik and Miss Novak just don't get along at all.

So there it is, and a pretty kettle of bubbling brew it makes under Mr. Lubitsch's deft and tender management and with a genial company to play it gently, well this side of farce and well that side of utter seriousness. Possibly the most surprising part of it is the adaptability of the players to Mr. Lubitsch's Continental milieu whose splendid evocation is one of the nicest things of the picture. But they all have become natural figures against a natural background—even Mr. Stewart, who, on the face and speech of him, hardly could be called the Budapest type, and Mr. Morgan, who plays a benevolent dictator (in leather goods) with scarcely a trace of the comic fluster and bluster that have established him as one of Hollywood's most standardized funny men.

Miss Sullavan, making one of her all-too-infrequent appearances, reminds us she still is one of our most piquant and delightful screen ladies, and there have been amusing contributing performances by Mr. Schildkraut as the unctuous rascal of the piece, by Felix Bressart as the timorous senior clerk and by William Tracy as the epitome of all sassy (and much put upon) errand boys.

Frank S. Nugent, The New York Times, Jan. 26, 1940

In the Remake Rumble, I’ll throw one (or more) versions of the same film into the ring and let them fight it out.  I’ll discuss the good and the bad, and end with the ultimate judgement of the best version.  Judgements can be appealed through well-reasoned arguments in the comments section. For this week’s remake rumble, we begin in 1940 with The Shop Around the Corner, the Ernst Lubitsch directed romantic comedy starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak, a manager and sales clerk at Matuschek and Company in Budapest. 

There’s no love lost between the two—Klara dismisses Alfred as a bowlegged dolt; he resents the way she wormed her way into a job on false pretenses. 

Alfred answers an advertisement in a newspaper to correspond with an unknown woman about literature and the arts.  By mutual agreement, they eschew the mundane in their letters, forgoing the humdrum details of occupation and hobbies to discuss Tolstoy and Shakespeare.  Alfred is the best version of himself in his letters—articulate, empathetic, and kind.  His pen pal is the same, and soon he is besotted by a woman he’s never met.

Eventually the two decide to meet, and even if you haven’t seen the film (or You’ve Got Mail), I don’t have to tell you who he finds when he arrives at the restaurant:  Klara Novak, the shopgirl he detests.

The film takes an interesting direction after his discovery—Alfred doesn’t reveal himself to Klara, and she is devastated at being stood up by the man she loves.  Yet because Alfred knows that Klara is the one writing the letters he so treasures, he sees her in a new light.  As he softens towards her, she sees a new side of him. 

Soon, Klara finds herself torn between real-life Alfred and the mystery man of her letters, not realizing they are one in the same.  When Alfred finally confesses, it is a wonderful relief to Klara, and we fade out on the lovers embracing on the floor of the shop in the quiet after the Christmas Eve rush.

The message is clear—the love of your life might be standing next to you in an elevator.  He or she might be annoying you half to death.

Such lovely ideals are the scaffolding on which all romantic comedies are built.

James Stewart is at home as Alfred, playing one of the polite nice guy roles that propelled his fifty year career.  We never doubt the sincerity of Alfred’s growing affection for Klara.  He’s not concealing the truth as a joke at her expense, but trying to work out a way to win her love in the world off the page.

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, who had a deft touch with comedies, including Ninotchka (Garbo’s first comedy), To Be or Not to Be (Carole Lombardi’s final film), and Heaven Can Wait, The Shop Around the Corner should be on everyone’s holiday wish list.

In 1998, Nora Ephron remade The Shop Around the Corner as You’ve Got Mail, now a classic romantic comedy in its own right.  Budapest is swapped out for New York, and Alfred and Klara are replaced by Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), rival booksellers.

Kathleen Kelly owns the local children’s bookstore The Shop Around the Corner (the name a nod to the original) opened by her deceased mother.  Joe Fox owns the massive chain Fox Books that threatens to put Kathleen out of business.

Instead of exchanging letters in a post office box, Kathleen and Joe meet in an internet chat room and correspond via e-mail.

You’ve Got Mail feels more dated than The Shop Around the Corner—perhaps because the way we interact online has changed so dramatically in the past two decades.  In a world where everyone has a dating site headshot and pictures of their last vacation online, the idea that two people could exchange anonymous emails and not realize they know one another IRL is unfathomable in a way that old time letter writing is not.

Ephron remained surprisingly faithful to The Shop Around the Corner.  Just as in the original, when Joe realizes that his pen pal is also his professional nemesis, he stands her up and tries to figure out a way to bridge the real-life divide between them.

So how to choose a winner between these set-at-Christmas-but-not-quite-Christmas-movie romantic comedy juggernauts?  Let’s break it down:

Lead Actor – I’m not the first to point out that Tom Hanks is the modern-day James Stewart, but it bears repeating.  They both bring a tenderness to the male lead and show his evolving change of heart.  Winner:  TIE.

Lead Actress – With no disrespect to Margaret Sullavan, there is no more charming person than Meg Ryan in the nineties.  Winner:  You’ve Got Mail

Director—When it comes to the romantic comedy, Nora Ephron stands alone.  Winner:  You’ve Got Mail

Ending—You’ve Got Mail wraps things up too quickly—it’s not quite believable that Kathleen would be unequivocally thrilled that the man she’s in love with destroyed her mother’s business.  Winner:  The Shop Around the Corner.

Since the breakdown is too close to call, I’m going with my gut.  Ephron’s classic does a better job of hammering home the point that we have a face that we show to the world, and a face that we wear when we’ve opened our heart.  While a comedy, You’ve Got Mail has some deeply emotional moments—as when Kathleen, who longs for a cutting comeback in conversation, finally comes up with one and feels guilty when she genuinely wounds Joe.  Or after the last day at her shop when she tells Joe (via email, not realizing it’s him) that closing the shop for good felt like her mother dying all over again. 

There’s a nice push and pull between holding onto the good of the past and embracing the new that shines through in You’ve Got Mail, and that raises it above its outdated technology.

You’ve Got Mail emerges the winner in this week’s rumble, but do yourself a favor this holiday season and make it a double feature with the timeless The Shop Around the Corner.

What you thought about The Shop Around the Corner

Film Responses

Collated Response Comments

101 members and guests attended this screening. We received 49 responses giving a film score of 4.27 and a responses ratio of 49%. Thanks so much. Enjoy the festive season and look forward to seeing everyone for the screening of ‘A bunch of Amateurs’ on Tuesday 13^th January 2026.

“Loved the film; very well chosen for the season and lengthwise, for the occasion.  Surprisingly good film quality for an 85-year-old piece, but no doubt heavily and invisibly restored.  Glad there weren't subtitles: the speed of delivery, especially Margaret Sullavan's, would have rendered subtitling almost impossible; and, as usual, it was a short time before one got one's ear in.  Story somewhat kitschy by today's standards and acting somewhat stagey by today's standards, but overall - good”.

“An enjoyable seasonal film to get us in the mood for all the festivities to come. Thank you again to the committee for all your efforts to entertain us and broaden our horizons in 2025. Have a lovely Christmas and see you in 2026!”

“Just after watching I simply thought, "That was jolly", but later a film-club friend explained the significance of its Budapest setting and the experience of immigrants (including Jewish communities) who brought Central European stories to America at the time the film was made. Reflecting on the film's timing during the Second World War--when the world was anxious and everyday Central European life, including the shop culture it portrays, was under threat--gave it even greater depth. Michael's explanation and the recommended notes comparing it with You've Got Mail added insight as well. All of this made me realise how meaningful the film is, and how lucky I am to be part of the club. I'm also grateful for all the wonderful films I've discovered this year thanks to the film club. Happy Christmas to the committee and all the members, and thank you”.

“Perfect as the final film for 2025”.

“"They don't make 'em like they used to," crossed my thoughts during this delight. The central premise - mutual ignorance on the part of two work colleagues waging petty warfare daily set against the letter-based courtship – steers the effect on those involved. The rhythms of the workplace generally central to those dynamics, and the women and men subsisting in the Depression era. Recalled The Smiling Lieutenant with Maurice Chevalier and Miriam Hopkins flirtations as well. The brightness of the shop contrasted with darkness of December, with Lubitsch lighting the close-ups with a bit of a twinkle. Matuschek's portrayal, surprised about many things save his flawless appearance, as a father type, a semi-benign despot, regarded with a little love and a lot of fear, yet generous. His breakdown from news of an unfaithful wife propels the bookish Kralik (Stewart) back to the shop thus allowing us to see how his 'letter romance' Klara can move on. Pirovitch, already aware of the mailbox romance, says softly to Kralik, "Think about it. Those were nice letters". So, the screen kiss seals the romance, as the Xmas Eve sales bonanza brings good feelings and a bonus. Lively shooting style, mixed with jokiness, sharp realism and serendipitous love. What else can you ask for ...”

“A great choice to kick off the festive season. Humorous and heartwarming. The short was a bit odd but had its moments! Thanks”.

“Very dated. Disappointing. Supporting characters more interesting, but with regret, I write, give me Hanks and Ryan”.

“An enjoyable classic love story reminds me of the films, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Megan Ryan. . The nostalgia of the fashion during the 1940s with the style of clothes, hair, makeup and the simplicity of life”.

“So difficult to see old b&w films on the big screen…so appreciated this opportunity & thoroughly enjoyed it! The quirky short was very amusing”.

The short film…”Respect to each other is human kindness and behaviour. This short film was an egotistical person, who went against the grain of human kindness and behaviour. They need to move onto the next chapter of their life. Very depressing”.

“Slow start but improved as it went on. Very amusing”.

“Outstanding! Perfect choice for Christmas. Everyone in the audience wants to be like James Stewart, cool, unflustered, and a twinkle in the eye!”

“Absolutely superb”. “Loved it”.

“Good example of the connections between Eastern European economic concerns and American imperialism”.

“Never seen this before. Will have to watch ‘You’ve got mail’ again!”

“Great story. Fabulous actors and actresses’”.

“Wonderful and brilliant. Miss seeing black and white movies that don’t rely on big bangs; just simply good acting and a great storyline”.

“Brilliant, funny, comedy timing. Loved it!”

“Got better as the film progressed”.

“Very much a film of its time, but entertaining”.

“They don’t make films like that anymore. Jimmy Stewart was outstanding”.

“Very enjoyable. Just right for the Christmas screening”.

“Great to see older films. Very enjoyable”. “Enjoyable film”.

“What a wonderful Christmas film. very enjoyable. (will have to watch the modern version now)”.

 “Good choice for a Christmas movie”.

“Very entertaining and of its era. Enjoyed the wit”.