The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

100% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(10,797 ratings)

The Shop Around the Corner is adapted from the Hungarian play by Nikolaus (Miklos) Laszlo. Budapest gift-shop clerk Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and newly hired shopgirl Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) hate each other almost at first sight. Kralik would prefer the company of the woman with whom he… More The Shop Around the Corner is adapted from the Hungarian play by Nikolaus (Miklos) Laszlo. Budapest gift-shop clerk Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and newly hired shopgirl Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) hate each other almost at first sight. Kralik would prefer the company of the woman with whom he is corresponding by mail but has never met. Novak likewise carries a torch for her male pen pal, whom she also has never laid eyes on. It doesn't take a PhD degree to figure out that Kralik and Novak have been writing letters to each other. The film's many subplots are carried by Frank Morgan as the kindhearted shopkeeper and by Joseph Schildkraut as a backstabbing employee whose comeuppance is sure to result in spontaneous applause from the audience. Directed with comic delicacy by Ernst Lubitsch, this was later remade in 1949 as In the Good Old Summertime, and in 1998 as You've Got Mail. It was also musicalized as the 1963 Broadway production She Loves Me. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
Written By: Samson Raphaelson, Miklós László
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1940 Limited
On DVD: Oct 1, 2002
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
As the plot has as many complications as characters, much of the fun comes in watching Scripter Samson Raphaelson neatly tangle and untangle them without tying himself in a hard knot.
Variety Staff, Variety
Although picture carries the indelible stamp of Ernst Lubitsch at his best in generating humor and human interest from what might appear to be unimportant situations, it carries further to impress via the outstanding characterizations by Margaret Sullavan
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This 1940 film is one of Ernst Lubitsch's finest and most enduring works, a romantic comedy of dazzling range.
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
...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.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
Entertaining to a fault, the film doesn't ignite the imagination in the way many other films of the period did.
Philip Kemp, Total Film
Sure, the plot-turns are foreseeable, but the film's wit and perfectly gauged performances are undimmed delights.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Lubitsch demonstrates that romantic comedies, like popcorn, can be enjoyed salty as well as sweet.
Tony Sloman, Radio Times
Contains delightful performances by Margaret Sullavan (full of grace and warmth) and the young James Stewart (a portrait of perfection).
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
My favorite Christmas film, this deliciously delicate, multi-nuanced romantic comedy is one of Lubitsch's very best films, flawlessly acted by Jimmy Stewart at his peak, the sublime Margaret Sullavan, and the rest of the large ensemble.
, Film4
This charming and well-scripted comedy exploits the ingenious set-up with delightful results.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
One of the all-time great romantic films stars Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as two slightly antagonistic clerks working in the same store who do not realize they have been corresponding with one another and are in love.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
This might be Lubitsch's gentlest work: sweetness mixed with a genuine sadness.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Thoroughly different from To Be or Not To Be but just as exhilarating, it's one of the few films truly justifying Lubitsch's reputation for a 'touch.'
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Who but Lubitsch could have pulled off such a winning romantic comedy that dares to include, but is not marred by, such tragic undercurrents… adultery, attempted suicide?
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
This smart and stylish Lubitsch comedy was recently remade as You've Got Mail.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Lubitsch lends his featherlight comic zest to that most claustrophobic of spaces: the workplace. In this case its a small leather goods retail store where the staff see each other monotonous day in and monotonous day out. The focus is on a young man who happens to be the senior… More
Lubitsch lends his featherlight comic zest to that most claustrophobic of spaces: the workplace. In this case its a small leather goods retail store where the staff see each other monotonous day in and monotonous day out. The focus is on a young man who happens to be the senior clerk (nowadays that'd be "associate") who pines for a woman he's only written to, meeting her from an ad in the paper (nowadays that'd be Facebook or some such). The comedy happens that his love might be far different in person than on paper. Nobody's perfect in this souffle, which only adds to the taste as it rises.
Wildaly M

This one is a classic romance. But one of those really-good-can't-get-enough-of-them classics.
Bruce B

Film 21 is a 1940 black and white film that is a most excellent film, what's amazing is the subjects it touched on in 1940. First we have a couple who meets by mail you know old fashion letter writing, The very young Jimmy Stewart answers a personal add in the newspaper. He works… More
Film 21 is a 1940 black and white film that is a most excellent film, what's amazing is the subjects it touched on in 1940. First we have a couple who meets by mail you know old fashion letter writing, The very young Jimmy Stewart answers a personal add in the newspaper. He works for Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan). and while there hires a new sales girl little does he know its his pen pal. During the movie Mr. Morgan's wife is cheating on him with one of the employees of the shop, humm which one, found this to be a surprising subject for the forties. All this around Christmas. Also note that Frank Morgan was the gate keeper in the Wizard of OZ , this was also the movie You Got Mail with Tom Hanks was based on. This movie gets no less then 4 1/2 stars
Ken S

A total delight from start to finish
AJ V

This is the movie which was recently remade as You've Got Mail. I liked the original better. It's got Jimmy Stewart for one thing. It's a nice romantic story, and it's enjoyable to watch. I recommend this over the new movie.
First L

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… More
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.
Jennifer X

Margaret Sullavan is sometimes charming, but most of the time very very annoying. I hate that stupid voice she gets when she's taunting Jimmy Stewart. Honestly, given the pantheon of great actresses of the 40s, all Lubitsch could get was Sullavan?? Stewart holds up his half of… More
Margaret Sullavan is sometimes charming, but most of the time very very annoying. I hate that stupid voice she gets when she's taunting Jimmy Stewart. Honestly, given the pantheon of great actresses of the 40s, all Lubitsch could get was Sullavan?? Stewart holds up his half of the pair admirably, but it can be a little tiring playing the perennial nice guy when all Sullavan does it shoot him with darts every time.
Veronique K

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 beautified… More
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 beautified 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.
jay n

lovely and disarming. jimmy stewart and margaret sullavan make a great couple
Eric B

The big flaw: Margaret Sullavan. With her scratchy voice, average face and glaring lack of charisma, she's simply not the required "girl we'd all love to fall for." I'm not surprised to find that her acting credits aren't too impressive beyond this one… More
The big flaw: Margaret Sullavan. With her scratchy voice, average face and glaring lack of charisma, she's simply not the required "girl we'd all love to fall for." I'm not surprised to find that her acting credits aren't too impressive beyond this one film. And even her *character* isn't all that likable -- she's both insulting and gratingly anxious. Oh, and maybe this is just my hangup, but I had a problem casually accepting a film set in Hungary starring such apple-pie Americans. Was it really so important to sustain the original play's setting? But sure, it's a classic. James Stewart is typically marvelous, as are the villainous toadie and the overcompensating errand boy. I liked the bit with the character who flees whenever the boss mentions wanting a honest opinion -- I wish the script had milked that gag even more!
Andrew F

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.
Sunil J

Cute but pretty outrageous. Probably one of Jimmy Stewart's lesser movies.
cody f

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 about the… More
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 about 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.
Robert F

I never thought I'd give a rom-com, one of my most hated film genres, such a high rating. The Shop Around the Corner was so charming and funny, unlike it's remake, You've Got Mail. I just wish we still made films like this today. I long for the rapid-fire dialogue of… More
I never thought I'd give a rom-com, one of my most hated film genres, such a high rating. The Shop Around the Corner was so charming and funny, unlike it's remake, You've Got Mail. I just wish we still made films like this today. I long for the rapid-fire dialogue of the 40s...films have slowed down so much in pace these days. This is also the only other movie that I've seen so far featuring The Wizard of Oz himself, Frank Morgan!