The Shop Around the Corner

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The Shop Around the Corner

1940

1h 37m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

11/08/2022

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.

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

11/08/2022

3.5/4

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.

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Katherine Howard

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

11/08/2022

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 29

3.5/4

A delightful romantic comedy.

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Zita Short

InSession Film

02/09/2023

...one of the greatest and most influential romantic comedies ever made...

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Picture Parade

Motion Picture Magazine

11/08/2022

3.5/4

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.

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Mike L

15h

The fact that Rotten Tomatoes critics list this movie as #1 of all-time Christmas movies is all you need to know about Rotten Tomatoes critics.

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Kalissa H.

@kali_416 Dec 3

I love this movie. The last scene is so dreamy and ties the whole movie together.

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Damien S

Nov 28

"Now I want your honest opinion; don't let me influence you."

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William B

Jun 15

What a classic. Recommended to anyone.

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 Jun 13

James Stewart and the rest of the cast deliver an astounding and unforgettable performances in The Shop Around The Corner.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 7

Funny in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic cast and crew members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ernst Lubitsch

Director

Margaret Sullavan

Klara Novak

James Stewart

Alfred Kralik

Frank Morgan

Hugo Matuschek

Joseph Schildkraut

Ferencz Vadas

Sara Haden

Flora Katcuck

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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: Loew's Inc., Metro Goldwyn Mayer
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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