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The Shop Around the Corner

Play trailer Poster for The Shop Around the Corner Released Jan 12, 1940 1h 37m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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99% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) are employees at Matuschek and Company, a general store in Budapest. Klara and Alfred are constantly at odds with each other, butting heads and disagreeing on almost everything. Both are enamored of their respective pen pals, who serve as welcome distractions in their lives. Little do they know, they are each the other's pen pal and, despite outward differences, have unwittingly fallen in love through their letters.
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The Shop Around the Corner

The Shop Around the Corner

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Critics Consensus

Deftly directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a smart, funny script by Samson Raphaelson, The Shop Around the Corner is a romantic comedy in the finest sense of the term.

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Critics Reviews

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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. Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News It is told in such a way as to warm the cockles of the heart and send the audience away from the theatre the better for having been permitted this intimate glimpse into the lives and loves of the personnel of the Matuschek store in Budapest. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Katherine Howard Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com When the great [Lubitsch's] name appears at the head of the production list, it's a lead pipe cinch that the fan will leave the theater with a chuckle and a feeling of satisfaction. Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film ...one of the greatest and most influential romantic comedies ever made... Feb 9, 2023 Full Review Picture Parade Motion Picture Magazine Whether you are shopping for a movie or not, we urge you to drop in and take a look at The Shop Around the Corner. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Ruth Lewis Austin American-Statesman Shop Around the Corner demonstrates how feather-weight material can be deftly handled for the best effects. It is excellently done. Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (804) audience reviews
Mason M A very fun and delightful comedy that never fails to give a laugh. The Shop Around The Corner is an amazingly made film that leads with it's amazingly clever writing and is supported by the cast's stellar performances. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/15/24 Full Review Dave C This is witty and sharp, carrying the social sensibilities of the time, with a romantic, fanciful hope, and writing in some dry humour. A holiday romance that is more enjoyable than I thought Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review Robson C Em uma pequena loja de variedades trabalham Alfred Kalik e Klara Novak, que não se suportam, um pegando no pé do outro. Porém, o que eles não sabem é que eles trocam correspondência amorosa entre si e que estão apaixonados um pelo outro. Este deve ser o filme mais famoso do diretor Ernst Lubitsch, ao lado de Ninotchka. Assim, ele parte de uma fato na sua vida (a sua família tinha uma loja como a retratada no filme, mas teve de abrir mão com o advento do nazismo), para contar uma história divertida e charmosa de uma casal que se ama mas não se suporta em um comédia romântica, que claro influenciou e muito o modo de se fazer este tipo de filme. Stewart e Margaret Sullavan estão muito bem como o casal principal e o elenco de apoio também é muito bom, com um roteiro que permite a todos brilharem. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/09/24 Full Review Louise M This is the movie that one of my favorite rom-coms is based on: You've Got Mail. Both are equally charming but I'm more inclined to rewatch the newer version. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/24 Full Review Alec B A great love story about the power of empathy, something we could all use a little more of these days. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review Scott M Really surprising how much a enjoyed this film. From the very beginning, it's story is just so fresh and warm. I really felt for every one of the characters. And by the end of the movie, I really wanted the two leads to be together. Wonderful movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Shop Around the Corner

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Movie Info

Synopsis Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) are employees at Matuschek and Company, a general store in Budapest. Klara and Alfred are constantly at odds with each other, butting heads and disagreeing on almost everything. Both are enamored of their respective pen pals, who serve as welcome distractions in their lives. Little do they know, they are each the other's pen pal and, despite outward differences, have unwittingly fallen in love through their letters.
Director
Ernst Lubitsch
Producer
Ernst Lubitsch
Screenwriter
Miklós László, Samson Raphaelson
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 12, 1940, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 37m
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