Review of The Shop Around the Corner (1940) by Spencer S — 27 May 2014

This romantic comedy, from legendary Ernst Lubitsch, was the original inspiration for the nauseatingly trite "You've Got Mail," but is centered on Budapest life rather than urban New York City.

Lubitsch set the story in Budapest, his home town, and featured the likes of Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as beguiled co-workers, who aren't aware that they are each the other's anonymous pen pals.

Throughout their strange courtship we find out about an affair between a co-worker and the shop's owner's wife, watch a Christmastime rush at the shop and a game that eventually unravels the truth.

Besides the great performances from our two leads, all the supporting characters are kooky or sweet, and the antics within the store are just as interesting and entertaining to watch as the chemistry between Stewart and Sullavan.

The small town charm of Budapest is also a central character, making this film an all-time romantic comedy classic.