Last month, I wrote about Jimmy Stewart playing a monster in Vertigo. It seems only fair that I cover one of his gentlest roles next, that of lovelorn salesman Alfred Kralik in holiday favorite The Shop Around the Corner (1940). For those unfamiliar with the film, it was later remade as the horrible You’ve Got Mail (1998), which I despised only slightly less than the man behind me in the theater, who complained, “You’ve got to be kidding me” to his girlfriend after it ended.
The Shop Around the Corner is superior to its remake for many reasons. Since this is a Ernst Lubitsch film, there’s a sophisticated touch to the little dramedy throughout; the plot is nuanced, funny, heartwarming, and occasionally heartbreaking.
The hardworking salespeople of the little Hungarian gift store are likable and driven and funny and loyal to one another.
They’re also struggling to get by, as in the moment when Alfred asks his colleague Pirovitch (Felix Bressart) if he’s ever gotten a bonus and gets a wistful “…once…” in response. The film often reminds me of workplace comedies, especially Brooklyn 99 and The Office, because the little family of coworkers commit to their work and vie for status with their boss. Shop experiences take up far more time than the romance.
The irascible, sensitive owner, Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan), is entertaining.
One of my favorite moments is watching Pirovitch dart out of sight when Hugo, trying to explain a specialty cigarette box, says to Felix’s colleagues, “All I want is your honest opinion.” We soon find out just how unwise it is to express your feelings to this particular boss.
Meanwhile, Alfred, the hero (Stewart), is writing love letters to an unknown respondent, who happens to be Klara (Margaret Sullavan), the prickly salesgirl the shop just hired.
She, unaware he’s her pen pal, treats Alfred with disdain. Her attitude is partially the result of misunderstandings, but also because she’s a snob who sneers at him for his job. Even though she can be conniving and even cruel, there’s something so sad about the little airs she puts on, and about how fragile her thin veneer of confidence is.
And what a savvy salesgirl! She actually convinces a customer the cigarette box the owner loves, with its terrible music, is actually a candy box that is intentionally annoying so that it prevents overindulgence. Brilliant. I can’t help but root for her even if I think Alfred is too good for her. And their dialogue is so funny, clever, and entertaining.
What a doll Alfred is. He’s so tender toward Klara once he knows who she is and is sympathetic toward the owner, who wrongs him. He bears with both of their treatment with a warmth and understanding that reveal he’s made of much finer stuff than either of them. He’s also so modest despite being the most admired worker in the shop. I love the moment he fears his pen pal will be beautiful. “Well not too beautiful, no . . . what chance does a fellow like me..?….just a lovely average girl, that’s all I want.”
Comic relief Pepi Katona (William Tracy), the confident delivery boy, doesn’t appear much until the second half, but what a joy he is every time he shows up. I particularly enjoy him teasing a doctor and the new delivery boy. He and Pirovitch are both by turns funny and warm–an unusual combination for a comedy:
You’ve Got Mail, in contrast, dials up the time spent on the romance, eliminates any humor, makes the modest hero (Tom Hanks) a big box store magnate and forces the heroine (Meg Ryan) to be bop-her-head cutesy and snarky at the same time. I’d tell you more, but I’ve blocked the rest from my memory.
Do yourself a favor, and watch The Shop Around the Corner instead.
joncow
TSATC is my second all-time favorite Christmas movie. Saw it for the first time with a revival theatre audience (packed) and the biggest laugh was after Pepi was on the phone with Mrs Matuschek and delivers the line “Draw your own conclusion.” to all the other clerks. Huge roar from the audience. I didn’t realize (till about 40 years later), that that line was a call back. Draw Your Own Conclusion actually sums up Lubitsch’s directing style.
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
It’s a fantastic line, and how true that it sums up his style! I’d never thought about that before. I have to admit that it took me a while to warm to this film, and now I don’t know why. It’s wonderful.
joncow
Have you seen She Loves Me, the musical version? Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick just before the did Fiddler on the Roof. Excellent version and very true to the source material. Look for it on YouTube. A superior production from 1978 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db_HreIe5pY
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
No, I haven’t! Wonderful. Thanks so much for letting me know about it. A musical with this storyline sounds like a lot of fun.
Silver Screenings
I love the way you wrote about this film. I’ve never really warmed to Margaret Sullavan in this film, but you’ve given me lots to think about. Time to see it again soon.
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thank you! I actually always avoided it because of her snippiness. Once I really gave it a chance, I really loved it. Funny how that works! And some of his comments are really harsh too, which I’d forgotten.