It seems almost unbelievable that one person would star in more than one undisputed holiday classic in a lifetime. Yet, that is exactly what Jimmy Stewart accomplished in the 1940s. The fact that Stewart is one of the greatest actors to ever appear on screen makes this occurrence a bit easier to believe, but it is still an incredible accomplishment. The rock star of the holiday season among classic movie fans is, of course, It’s A Wonderful Life, which rightfully keeps families coming back year after year to make the season feel complete. It is Stewart’s holiday film from earlier in the decade, though, that deserves a bit more of your attention. Based on the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László, The Shop Around the Corner finds Stewart starring opposite Margaret Sullivan for acclaimed director Ernst Lubitsch (To Be or Not To Be) in one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time. Modern audiences may best recognize this story for the 1998 remake You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, which is charming in its own way. But, if that is the only version you have seen, it is highly recommended that you check out the incredible original film that will quickly become another staple of your holiday viewing.
In the years prior to WWII, Stewart plays Alfred Kralik, the all-star salesman at a leather goods shop in Budapest, Hungary, owned by Mr. Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan), an excitable man who is trying to ensure his shop remains successful. Alfred is the type of worker who charms customers and knows exactly how to read his boss and talk him out of misguided endeavors. The shop contains many interesting personalities that function as something of a family. Alfred has a bit of a pep in his step these days, as he reveals to his friend and coworker Pirovitch (Felix Bressart) that he has someone new and special in his life. Kind of. Alfred has been anonymously corresponding with an erudite woman whose ad he noticed in the local newspaper. He is forming the type of deep connection that one only dreams about, yet he has no clue to this lady’s identity. When a young Klara Novak (Margaret Sullivan) comes into the shop one day looking for a job, Alfred informs her that there are no openings. This does not stop a persistent Klara, who manages to impress Mr. Matuschek enough to secure the position. Of course, we know that Klara is the recipient of Alfred’s anonymous correspondence, and that it is only a matter of before they end up together.
Despite their connection through the written word, the two are not primed to neatly click right away when facing each other in real life. These two are over the moon for the people they have built up in their minds, but they are so preoccupied with the idea of love that they do not remember that love can be a bit messy and things are not always as they appear on the surface. Alfred and Klara are always getting in little disagreements when working together at the store. They each draw conclusions about one another that simply are too close-minded. Yet, there is a spark between the two that is undeniable. The two may verbally spar with one another, but Stewart and Sullivan imbue these words with a playful undertone that crackles with emotion. These are two people that have strong feelings for one another, they just don’t know what those feelings mean just yet. Once Alfred discovers the identity of his mystery woman, the movie really kicks into overdrive as he realizes what a dolt he has been with Klara. The snappy dialogue between the two will put a huge smile on your face as you witness two people coming out of the fog and seeing what was always right in front of them.
Lubitsch does a masterful job of shaping this story into a perfectly-paced, engrossing romance that ranks as one of the best in the genre. The balance between the simmering romance and the bustling personality of the titular shop makes this world pulse with an energy that is very exciting. There are many little stories going on outside of our main pair that showcases a wide array of talented performers doing some incredible work. It is Stewart and Sullivan that turn this film into a classic, though. Stewart has proven time and time again that he is one of the best that ever was, and here he uses his classic stammering and sly charm to cast a spell on Klara and the audience. Sullivan is likewise delivering a subtly clever, and at times heartbreaking, performance as the hopelessly romantic Klara. The chemistry between these two is out of this world. You feel a genuine connection between these two that elevates the experience to something really special. It is easy to see how good people can miss out on happiness when they do not take the time to dig a little deeper. You cheer for these two to end up together as if you do not already know the outcome. This romance mixed in with the general warm feelings conjured up by the Christmastime setting makes this one that you want to return to year after year.
Video Quality
The Shop Around the Corner makes its long-awaited Blu-Ray debut with a brand new 1080p transfer that is simply stunning on all accounts. The contrast is well defined, even during the brightly lit outdoor shots, and there is no apparent print damage to be found. The beautiful black-and-white photography looks marvelous in high definition with natural grain intact. There is a fantastic amount of detail present with the shop offering up a plethora of tiny trinkets that stand out for the first time. The presentation also showcases nice texture on the costumes and greater facial detail on close-ups. Black levels are pleasingly deep with no trace of black crush or compression artifacts. The final scene in the darkened shop maintains a nice stability that helps to not distract from the events on screen. Warner Archive has delivered an A+ presentation that will be a welcome addition to your yearly holiday viewing.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that keeps the film sounding amazing. There is no substantial age related wear and tear to the track such as hissing, popping or clipping. While not a standout in the film, the score from Werner Heymann has a great amount of stability when it pops up. Dialogue and background noises are represented well in perfect harmony within the context of this world. Nothing ever overpowers the classic dialogue that is being spoken here by any of our characters, even if certain accents can be a little hard to understand at points. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film.
Special Features
- The Miracle of Sound: An eleven-minute MGM featurette which guides you through the technical process of capturing sound on film while offering a preview of some MGM projects of the time. You do not get really anything in the way of content related to The Shop Around the Corner, but it is still an interesting watch.
- Screen Guild Players: A thirty-minute radio play of the film starring Margaret Sullivan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, and others reprising their roles in a truncated version of the story.
- Lux Radio Theater (6/23/41): An hour-long radio play of the film starring Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night) and Don Ameche (Trading Places) in the lead roles. It is interesting to hear different actors in these roles, and it is very much worth a listen.
- Theatrical Trailer: A four-minute trailer in which Mr. Matuschek (Frank Morgan) tells you a little bit about his shop, the people who work there and the actors that play them. He also introduces you to director Ernst Lubitsch while offering up some of his credentials. This is a fun way to present a trailer!
Final Thoughts
The Shop Around the Corner is a film overflowing with warmth and clever, passionate exchanges that makes this rank as one of the great romantic comedies. Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan ground this Christmastime romance in something genuine which makes your heart soar every time. Warner Archive has delivered this long-awaited Blu-Ray with a wonderful A/V presentation and a nice selection of special features. Fans of the film will feel like they are watching this classic for the first time once again. Highly Recommended
The Shop Around the Corner can be purchased directly through Warner Archive or various other online retailers. The movie will be officially released on December 22, 2020.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
