Review of The Shop Around the Corner (1940) by Devon B — 18 Dec 2009
The Shop Around the Corner is a sweet little story that later inspired "You've Got Mail" (but don't hold that against it). Jimmy Stewart plays his usual soft-spoken, stammering romantic lead (a sort of George Bailey) working as the head clerk in a leather goods shop.
When Klara (Margaret Sullavan) walks into the store one day looking for a job, Stewart tries politely to discourage her, until the boss Mr. Matuschek (Frank Morgan) sees her natural sales ability and hires her on the spot.
The two become gentle enemies from then on, constantly swiping at each other. Ironically, they're unknowingly in love with each other, as they've been corresponding as anonymous penpals. When Stewart goes to meet his secret love and discovers it's her, you can almost see the inner machinations of his mind working to come to terms with the problem of his true love being his arch enemy.
It's a great scene, as Sullavan tries to give him the brush-off in the restaurant, not realizing it's him she's waiting for. The Shop Around the Corner could pass as a 1940s version of the television show, The Office.
There's lots of inside jokes on the inner workings of retail and the family aspects of worklife. It's not necessarily a christmas movie (even though final half of the film takes place at christmas), but Christmas is as good a time as any to watch it.
It's a feel-good romantic comedy with characters who aren't silly for the sake of being silly, as so many modern rom/coms are.
This review of The Shop Around the Corner (1940) was written by Devon B on 18 Dec 2009.
The Shop Around the Corner has generally received very positive reviews.
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