Felix Bressart, Frank Morgan, Inez Courtney

One of the most charming and romantic films around, this 1940 comic romance finds James Stewart (Vertigo, It's A Wonderful Life) working in a small shop in Budapest and longing for a gir...( read more  read more... )l to call his own. His coworker, Margaret Sullavan, feels the same, and soon they are both corresponding and falling in love with their respective pen pals. What they don't realize is that they are writing to and falling in love with each other, but the problem is that they can't stand each other in person. The beguiling nature of the mistaken identity formula that influenced countless films is done to perfection here, and the wry combativeness and delightful banter between the two leads makes this a very special film. --Robert Lane

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90% liked it

2,581 ratings

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100% liked it

19 critics

Unrated, 97 min.

Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch

Release Date: January 12, 1940

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DVD Release Date: October 1, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (659)


  • December 30, 2007
    Two bickering co-workers with deep enmity are secretly corresponding pen pals in anomynous names. one of sugar-crested comedies toys with the coincidence of fate.

    margaret sullavan demonstrates a great deal of assertiveness as the opinionated clara. this trait could be beautif...( read more)ied with the term called "individuality" but unfortunately from time to time it borders on unforgiving inconsiderateness, indulging herself in those torrid love letters without a slight concern for people around her in reality that could be unpleasant.

    in the scene she dismisses stewart in their cafe encounter, and she's relentlessly tearing him away that infuriates stewart to condemn her as harsh spinster, but she retorts with the complacency of the love letter she receives, then insulting him back with the remark "insignificant worker" just right after he gets unemployed miserably. miss sullavan's character is hardly likable with all her narcissism on her own affair and her rash disregard on stewart while he tolerates her egoism with good sports as well as a patiently willing heart to appreciate her sharp wits even that is utilized to offend him.

    maybe the purpose of this story is that you disguise yourself in reality with shield, sometimes as your heart exposed and prejudices discarded, true love is right in front of you, even from your worst enemy. it might be a bit too naively idealistic.

    the biggest flaw in this flick is its lack of a charismatic female lead to neutralize her bellicosity , maybe katherine hepburn should be considered in this project, considering hepburn's performance in "woman of the year" and "philadelphia story", she could be competent as clara. sullavan's interpretation is like the unpractical reveries of a desperate woman who fears to be old maid. and stewart's fondness over her is unconvincingly bewildering.
  • December 28, 2006
    It was good, not great (I feel like I've been saying that about a lot of movies lately!). James Stewart is definately one of the best actors ever.
  • December 26, 2008
    A great film about two co-workers who hate each other and are also secretly pen-pals. Jimmy Stewart is great and so is the supporting cast. There is also a surprising side story that involves adultery and suicide that works into the main story quite well.This film is mainly abou...( read more)t the store and it's people and has many laugh out loud moments. I can't express enough how great Jimmy Stewart is in this charming film. If you like The Philadelphia Story and His Girl Friday then you should enjoy this film.
  • November 8, 2009
    WELL , yesterday i found randomly , my movies archive ....i believed that i had lost it after the late removal ...i saw that many very good films were there but not here !!! So its opportunity to add the here , and this is an amazing film
  • October 29, 2009
    I loved this movie! I knew 'You've Got Mail' was based on this and while 'Mail' was good- this is so much better! Sweet, subtle and very, very smart, the writing is genious; witty, quick and overall lovely. The characters created were awesome- belivable and clear characters, clea...( read more)r individuals. They were my favorite part. Overall, one of the best movies seen this term, and a wonderful old comedy!
  • October 14, 2009
    Classic movie. Of course, the predecessor to "You've Got Mail."
  • August 29, 2009
    "Psychologically I'm very confused, but personally I don't feel bad at all."
  • August 18, 2009
    I had no idea "You've Got Mail" was based on this movie! Loving Jimmy Stewart now. Quaint is also a good way to discribe this movie, but still wonderful!
  • July 25, 2009
    Ah, the Lubitsch touch. I just watched this again recently and remembered how good it is. If you are a Lubitsch fan, you should not be disappointed. It makes a movie like "You've Got Mail" (which is sort of a remake, I guess) look like a beer commercial. OK, that was harsh. I can...( read more)'t even be bothered to watch the other remake "In the Good Old Summertime" partly because of the horrendous title (OK, I'm petty like that) and partly because I don't see any reason to! It amazes me how many remakes are of beloved classics, and how often they fail. I wonder why there aren't more remakes of movies that didn't quite hit the mark the first time around...It's kind of setting oneself up for failure to remake a real classic (even if you think it needs "updating"- sounds plausible, but the results are usually disappointing). Anyway, see this film, hopeless and hopeful romantics!
  • July 5, 2009
    A wonderful and charming film. Ernst Lubitsch has a magic touch when it come to directing. James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan are wonderful together and perfectly cast. The screenplay is superb, well photographed. Charming from start to finish.

Comments


  • gyvette
    March 7, 2008
    I really want to see this movie, but it is hard to find it!

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The Shop Around the Corner Trivia


  • Which actor/actress starred in these films: Shop Around the Corner, Born to Dance & Winchester '73?   Answer »
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  • You've Got Mail is a remake of what 1940 film starring Margaret Sullivan and James Stewart?  Answer »

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