The Shop Around the Corner

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The Shop Around the Corner

Released Jan 12, 1940

1h 37m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

99%

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96 Reviews

91%

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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

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

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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

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Zita Short

InSession Film

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

Feb 9, 2023

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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

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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

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William B

What a classic. Recommended to anyone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

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Garrett B

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

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Stephen C

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Bill A

When actors and story were the key to making a movie, the stories came alive. This story today would need explosions and sex scenes, and they still couldn't get it right. Watching movies like this make me detest everything wrong with story telling today. The ensemble cast delivers a memorable Christmas Classic. This onion has many layers and they are sweet, but not syrupy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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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

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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

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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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