THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) Movie REACTION! 

What's really nice about this film is that it's in the public domain so no edits are required. Same goes for many other older films that simply did not bother to renew copyrights. His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and featuring Ralph Bellamy and Gene Lockhart also falls into this group. Great dialog, great acting and great story with no edits needed.

So glad you did this movie. It's so good! Gotta love how the creators of "You've Got Mail" paid homage by naming the bookstore this title. Stewart is my all time fav actor. He nailed every role; every character. He was also a favorite on the Tonight Show and was always an entertaining interview. "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" is one of his most iconic roles. If you've not seen it, it should be your next Stewart film.

Madison is going to love this film. Top notch acting. Enjoy this Madison.

Old time Hollywood movies had a charm and innocence you rarely if ever find today.

The phrase “The Lubitsch Touch” exists for a very good reason.

Frank Morgan who played "Mr. Matuschek" played the "Wizard" in the "Wizard of Oz". It was one year later that Jimmy Steward did, "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington". and then, Steward became a B-24 bomber pilot and flew many missions over Germany. He was also still acting in Hollywood.

I saw Jimmy Stewart (he was old) when he came to London to star in the stage production of 'Harvey' (1975). The first moment he appeared, the instant he stepped onto the stage, the audience rose in a standing ovation - that's how much of a star he was.

It's amazing, how many movies have been made over the last hundred years. Every time I watch the retro channels, I see another old movie I never heard of before. Usually the best ones are the ones you HAVE heard of before though. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is one of the good ones with Jimmy.

It's impossible for me to watch Jimmy Stewart in his pre-war roles without imagining him in the cockpit of a B-24 bomber. In just two short years after "The Little Shop Around The Corner" Stewart would be on his way to becoming a colonel in the Army Air Corps, fighting in WW II. Yes, indeed, Jimmy Stewart certainly, "a real man". Btw, Stewart and Sullivan were close life long friends who met in a college acting group.

II love watching classic movies through your eyes. Keep up the wonderful work.

One of Jimmy Stewart's first supporting roles was After the Thin Man. But you definitely have to watch the entire Thin Man series and fall in love with Nick and Nora

Once again, a fun, heartwarming and insightful reaction. Thank you, Madison! 😊

This Film was Remade as, “In The Good Old Summertime” 1949, with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. Then remade again. As “You Got Mail,” in 1998, with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. All are very good, especially the Chemistry of the Lead Actors. Hope you enjoy. The part where, Alfred and Pirovitch are outside talking about the “Coloring of Klara…” Are almost the exact lines, that Tom Hanks speaks to Dave Cappelle. Funny, the quality of the story comes through.

"People seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth." Among many themes in this great movie, this one stands out the most for me.

The screenplay was written by Samson Raphaelson based on the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László.

I recommend Ninotchka.

I’ve seen this film so many times because of its sweetness, and it was such a delight to watch it with you and see your investment in the emotional tension. Great reaction, Madison. Thanks.

I watched this movie in a London cinema tonight. Lovely. I like how it has some dark edges, but is so human.

The woman you remembered from "The Bishop's Wife" was Sara Haden. Audiences of the day would have known her best as Andy Hardy's aunt and English teacher. Frank Morgan was known for comically befuddled characters but could really pull at your heartstrings when given a suitable role. You might want to watch "The Human Comedy" but, if you do, bring tissues.

One of my favorite scenes from a movie is when Mr. V goes crashing through the cigarette boxes and they all go running to pick up the cigarette boxes.

The actor playing Mr Matuchek was Frank Morgan, best known as The Wizard of Oz.

Enjoyed your reaction as always, Madison. Another young Jimmy Stewart movie (same year as this one) is The Philadelphia Story. As a bonus you get Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn too. Not as sweet, but it is entertaining.

One of my favorite movies reviewed by one of my favorite reviewers. Interestingly, Margaret Sullivan has a connection to my hometown of Saint Stephens Church, Virginia. Her mother, Garland Council, was born and raised there in a house now owned by my distant cousin.

In 1940 James Stewart, Margaret Sullivan, and Frank Morgan were in another movie with a slightly different tone called The Mortal Storm a movie about the rise of Nazism rise in Germany during the early 30’s

Jimmy Stewart and Margaret O'Sullivan were is several movies togather. My favorite is "the Mortal Storm"

Another one you might like is 84 Charing Cross Road. It’s from 1987 but spans from 1949-1968. Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

Thank you Madison for reacting to one of my all time favorite movies. Margaret Sullavan had a unique, beautifully throaty speaking voice. Her a Jimmy Stewart were in four movies together from 1936-1940. I was a little surprised you didn’t mention Frank Morgan (Mr. Matuschek) is the actor who played the Wizard in ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

I think of the millions of people who will never see this due to an aversion to B & W films (yes, it’s a thing) then there is your delightful reaction as if everything old is new again. That’s why I’m sure you will simply love “Holiday Affair” -1949 with Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum (a real man). Another Christmas time movie.

I love the look of utter delight throughout your reaction! I too saw You've Got Mail first, and I first watched Shop just because I knew YGM was a remake of it. I used to love the movie as a romcom, and because it reminded me of my college summers working retail. Now, it's my favorite Christmas movie solely on the strength of that scene between Matuschek and Rudy. Brings tears to my eyes every time! If you look into Ernst Lubitsch, you'll see people talk about "the Lubitsch touch". It's something Billy Wilder aimed for in all of his comedies. A sort of sophisticated, urbane cleverness in characterization and storytelling. It's on full display here with the characterizations. Like Pirovich running up the stairs every time Matuschek asks for "an honest opinion". All the clues leading up to the reveal about Vadas and Mrs. Matuschek. We understand why everyone hates Vadas without it needing to be spelled out--because he's always subtly insinuating things and twisting their words around. Other fantastic Lubitsch comedies are To Be or Not to Be (probably the funniest movie I've ever seen), Ninotchka, and Trouble in Paradise. However, the movie you MUST watch asap is The Philadelphia Story. Young Jimmy Stewart AND Cary Grant in the same movie. It is glorious! It's a romcom, but Stewart and Grant have a couple of dynamite scenes together.

Me too, Madison! I miss male leads like these and movies like these.

There's a beautiful movie about penpals, 84 Charing Cross Road from 70. Has Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. It's a movie you'd like. It's one of the best penpal movies you should watch. I like Mary and Max, personally.

Madison, this was turned into a delightful musical called “She Loves Me.” You can find the original cast album with Barbara Cook as the girl - beautiful voice, fun, sweet songs.

This is Frank Morgan's movie, a great actor.

Another version of this story is a MGM musical In the Good Old Summertime. It starred Judy Garland and Van Johnson in the title roles. It's worth a viewing and reaction as well.

That's Director Lubitsch's touch. The film story is actually set in Hungary.

Congratulations on your 100th reaction @madison Thames

I am feeling very Christmas-y this year

Every special, always love this one. Thank you.

Another superb classic and romantic movie for you to see is Random Harvest with two Hollywood greats in stellar form - Ronald Colman and Greer Garson

Fantastic movie! Love it! You can't go wrong with Jimmy Stewart. There are no Stewarts, Grants, or Bogarts. They belonged in a bygone time, and sadly I don't believe we'll see them again.

The young helper "Rudy" is also in the musical version starring Judy Garland.

Great reaction, Madison!!! Joseph Schildkraut, who played Vadas, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor three years earlier for his poignant portrayal of Alfred Dreyfus in The Life of Emile Zola (1937). I think the French Government banned the film. It's really good!!

Of course, the boss also played the Great & Powerful OZ. Another good, romantic Cary Grant film, "An Affair to Remember "

Great job! One of my favorites. Matacheck is played by Frank Morgan(The Wizard in Oz). Him and Marg Sullivan team with Stewart in a serious drama called THE MORTAL STORM. Which unfortunately is still relevant. Mr Smith goes to Washington another great JS film.

I really enjoyed your reaction to this, Madison. I hope that you do more of these lovely romantic stories, another which you will probably like is, "An Affair to Remember", 1957 starring Cary Grant, I also recommend, "Bell, Book and Candle" 1958 starring James Stewart, Kim Novak and Jack Lemmon, it has a Witchcraft theme so, you may want to leave it for Halloween.

I love this film and yes, you will be rewatching it. There's another film by the same director, Ernst Lubitsch, made two years after this that I also love, and I somehow group them together in my mind as enjoyable films with "that Lubitsch touch", as some have phrased. "To Be or Not to Be" (1942) starred Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, and amongst others, Felix Bressart, who played Pirovitch, the older, mustachioed clerk in the shop. Check it out!

"Shop Around the Corner", "Good old Summertime", "You've got Mail" and the Broadway show "She Loves Me" are all based on a 1936 Hungarian play "Parfumeri" by Miklós László.

Hi Madison, I`m really glad you are reacting to these wonderful classics & in doing so, you are learning why so many people love them. Many of us, have like you discovered them decades after their release & never failed to be grateful we did so. Jimmy only made 3 more films before joining the U.S.A.A.F. , he returned to the silver screen 5 yrs later. In the film called (It`s A Wonderful Life) that you reacted to last yr & I think it`s fair to say, it was as if he had never been away. However, the raw emotion he displayed in that film, was partly possible because of his war experiences. You have already enhanced my Xmas just by reacting to this & (The Bishop`s Wife), so thanks again & I`m glad you enjoyed them.

I appreciated your comments about “where are the men?” I have the same question about male and female character actors like Frank Morgan.

The lighting on this film is sublime perfection.

I have collected about 16-18 "classic era" Christmas movies with many of them rom-coms. This ranks very high among my favorites! Thanks for your excellent reaction and comments! Merry Christmas!

Another great James Stewart movie you should add to your list is: "Harvey " He plays Elwood P. Dowd. One of his most favorite rolls.✌️❤️

I saw this movie years ago and I forgot how good it was/is. Two classics I think you would love are "My Fair Lady" and "Guys and Dolls." They are both musicals and I am not a fan of musicals, but they are both great movies. I would really enjoy watching you watch them. (That was the creepiest sentence I've ever said.)

It's a movie I have watched for the past 25 years at Christmas time. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Great reaction to a Jimmy Stewart movie I've not seen before! So amusing that I was pouring a drink when the movie started, and my first thought on hearing Mr. Matachek's voice was "That's the Wizard of Oz!" 😀 Frank Morgan was such a good actor! The earliest Jimmy Stewart movie I've seen is Rose-Marie from 1936, then After The Thin Man which was released in '36 as well. Both as supporting cast, though notable roles instead of just cameo roles. All the Thin Man movies are worth watching, and the first three especially are delights! Watch them for sure! He is such a deep and amazing man as well as a deep and amazing actor. I adore James Stewart! And I adore this movie now too. :-) Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Madison!

I’m very lucky that a nearby rep movie theatre shows this movie every year at Christmas time. It’s co-featured with The Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan d/f) for the low price of $7.00!!! If anyone’s in the Bay Area Dec. 21-23, these classics are showing at The Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto. There’s also a live organ accompaniment before the 7:30 and 9:20 shows. Extra goodness at this gorgeous 1927 jewel box. And the popcorn is a bargain too!

Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda and Margaret Sullavan all worked together, and were friends in theater companies, before going to, and making it in Hollywood. Biographers have written that Jimmy Stewart was in love with Margaret Sullavan, but she only considered him a good friend. Sullavan ended up marrying Henry Fonda, but they were divorced two years later. Sullavan was a dedicated stage actress, and worked closely with Stewart to work out some of his acting flaws that helped him become a huge star. Margaret Sullavan was a very strong personality. The nastiest studio head in Hollywood Louis B. Mayer of MGM avoided negotiating with her out of fear. Looking forward to your reaction!!!!

There is still another version of this movie with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. It was a musical version called "In the Good Old Summertime."

The shop owner actor played the Wizard of Oz and other roles in that 1939 classic roles.

The private examiner in this one was the bank examiner in "It's a Wonderful Life." I believe the store owner was the wizard in the "Wizard of Oz." Not a romantic film, but a great Jimmy Stewart movie is "Flight of the Phoenix" ... and there is some romance in another aviation related movie with Jimmy Stewart is "No Highway in the Sky." Another fun one has Jimmy Stewart as a family man with a prodigy son in love with Brigitte Bardo "Dear Briggitte."

Referring to Pepe as the "agent of chaos" made me laugh out loud. This is such a great movie, glad you watched/enjoyed. The one thing I always found a little curious was the inconsistencies of the accents. The story's set in Budapest, and we had three characters (Matuschek, Pirovitch, and Vadas) with accents, but the rest sounded American - one of which (Pepe) sounded like an NYC wiseguy! 😄 I would think the decision should have been made to either have all the characters portrayed with accents, or none. (And, since I can't imagine Jimmy Stewart faking a Hungarian accent, the proper choice would have been "none". 😃)

"The Philadelphia Story" is a must watch, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant AND Katherine Hepburn. Not to mention a fantastic supporting cast, Roland Young ("And who is coming with me in my little car?"), Virginia Weidler and the fantastic Ruth Hussey.

Great movie. I especially like the boss of shop. Veteran character actor Frank Morgan. I especially liked him in the original wizard of Oz 1939 were he played 6 parts including the wizard ✌️❤️

This is a glorious movie! I'm glad you watched it and enjoyed it so much. Great reaction!

Good reaction, Madison. Btw, at the 32:32 minute mark, the $9654 in revenue that their little store did that day in 1940, inflation-adjusted is equivalent to approx $212,000.00 in today's dollars in 2024. So yep...they had a great sales day that day....lol

Hello Madison; welcome to the wondrous world of Ernst Lubitsch. Hoping one day you might have a look at Ninotchka or To Be Or Not To Be, a couple of other classics from the master. So glad you enjoyed this film. I reckon it is just about perfect in every way. Wonderful performances all round but a special nod to the great character actors - so characteristic of early Hollywood - Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut and Fesix Bressart present in this film. Thank you, again. Loved your reaction.

Another fine reaction to a classic. Nothing to do with this one, but if you haven’t watched The Apartment (1960) by the great Billy Wilder, it’s a must-see. An ultimate classic rom-com that includes Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, and a great supporting cast. Oh, and congratulations on 100!

In the 1950s, Jimmy Stewart starred in several exceptional westerns for director Anthony Mann. I think you might find these films enjoyable.

That was when the Americans made great films.

Congratulations on your novel! Love this movie! My 13 year old son got sucked into this movie and enjoyed it also lol You may also enjoy Barefoot in the Park The Out-of-Towners Both from the 1960s

My favorite movie! Lubitsch is a great director, please consider watching "Cluny Brown" with Charles Boyer.

Mr. Matuschek looks and sounds familiar. I wish I could place where I've seen him before. But that's a horse of a different color.

I discovered The Shop Around The Corner many years ago. Then on a trip to London I got to see She Loves Me, the musical version of the same story. I believe the original was a stage play called Parfumerie. I'd love to see that one. Oh, and if you haven't seen While You Were Sleeping, I think it will push a lot of the same buttons. One of my modern favorites. Oh, and since you didn't recognize the actor who portrayed Mr. Matuschek, that's Frank Morgan. He's best known for a little film called The Wizard of Oz.

One of the all-time great films... beautifully written, directed, and acted. SOOOO UNDERRATED!!! Another great classic... if you haven't already seen it, is "It's Happened One Night"... Directed by Frank Capra. Cheers! For Modern Rom Com films I'd HIGHLY recommend a few BRILLIANT foreign films that you'll love: "CINEMA PARADISO" (Italy) (also sort of a coming of age film, too), GREGORY'S GIRL (Scotland) and "AMELIE" (France)...They are all magical, sweet films in their own right.. and they'll warm your heart.

I really enjoyed your reaction to this, Madison. It was only a couple of years ago that I discovered this film, and I wish I would have seen it much sooner. Stewart and Sullavan are wonderful. I would also recommend another collaboration of theirs: "Of Human Hearts" (1938).

Madison, you get the wallet! I really only have 2 essential Christmas films. One is this film and the other one . . . isn't.

A great movie by a fan and follower of Ernst Lubitsch is Billy Wilder's _The Apartment._ It was his favorite of all his films, and the best. Right snd wrong matter, guys! What happens makes a difference.

Great reaction to a great movie. I can’t tell how many times I have seen it ? Each time brings me something more, for example I very recently noticed than when Alfred and Clara are in the café, the music plays « Otchi Tchonia », the music of the cigarette box 😄 ! If you want to see a movie starring both of them, then watch Frank Borzage’s « The Mortal Storm ». Greetings from France 🇫🇷

Might I suggest you take a look at the classic black comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets 1949. It is one of the all time greats.

Welcome to Lubitsch! A great choice for the Christmas Season. Or anytime really.

"The Philadelphia Story" is another great movie with Jimmy. Other great rom-coms from the past would be "It Happened One Night" or "The Bride Came C.O.D.".

Another Ernst Lubitsch movie I'd recommend is "To Be or Not To Be". Not the Mel Brooks remake, the original.

I watch this every Christmas season! One of my top five great Christmas movies! Great choice!😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

This movie was adapted as a musical called She Loves Me

notice all the actors from It's a Wonderful Life... and the wizard himself

Loved your reaction Madison. You put a smile on my face. Happy holidays ❤

Simply super. Your reaction made my day. You are a special person.

I really enjoyed your reaction to my all-time favorite romantic comedy. The reason for the great chemistry between Stewart and Margaret Sullavan (my favorite actress) is that they were close friends---indeed Stewart wanted to marry her. She turned him down because she was very dedicated to her art and wanted to protect him from her own inner demons. They had been part of a friend group from Yale (IIRC) that included Henry Fonda and Kent Smith, and the four of them had played together in a summer stock company. Sullavan made it big before the others, with “The Good Fairy” in 1935 (also with Frank Morgan). She and Stewart played in four movies together, and Stewart credited her with giving him great dialogue coaching in their first movie together. They are especially good in "The Mortal Storm" (1940), which I highly recommend. The directing (by the great Ernst Lubitsch) is wonderful, and the ensemble acting is first rank with a tremendous supporting cast. Frank Morgan was the Wizard/Professor Marvel in “The Wizard of Oz” and played many other fine roles in the 30s and 40s. Felix Bressart is perfect and also played one of the Russians in the classic rom-com “Ninotchka.” Joseph Schildkraut (Vadas) won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for “The Life of Emile Zola.” Sara Haden (Flora) and William Tracy (Pepi) are both well-known character actors from many movies of the time.

I loved your reaction to this movie and am looking forward to you reacting to more older classic’s Madison.

Jimmy was at that time 32. And about, "where did all the men gone...?" I'm old, compared to you, but at last I share with Jimmy the birthday and the facination on planes...

Now you need to see the remake ( actually more of a reboot ) entitled IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME with Van Johnson and Judy Garland.

Madison,, your reaction was so much fun that I smiled so much my eyes watered.

I'm a sucker for these classics. It's A Wonderful LIfe, The Bishop's Wife, You Can't Take It With You and The Shop Around The Corner features some of the same supporting actors. You've just got to see Sullivan's Travels starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake.

The Jimmy Stewarts, Cary Grants and Humphrey Bogarts of today, don't exist. lol Great reaction

New tv dramatic tv series about Cary Grant is currently streaming. Entitled ARCHIE (His real name was Archie Leach). No, we dont get actors like Bogart, etc. anymore. Clint Eastwood may be the last of them. Instead, we get Timothy Chalamets, etc.

I love to see you doing these old movies . They are so much better than the garbage Hollyweird spews out today . I won't watch any movie made after 2000 and that might even be too recent .

Watch "Vivacious Lady" with Jimmy Stewart and Ginger Rogers! It really made me swoon :) which feels rare for a movie!

A great reaction. Thank you. I think you'd really enjoy Mr Deeds goes to town. It has a young Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. It's very funny.

In the Good Old Summertime from 1949 with Van Johnson and Judy Garland it more of musicals base off this movie.

Such a great classic. Make sure you check out "It Happened One Night".. another great classic with Clark Gable.