Over the Christmas weekend I showed The Shop Around the Corner to Grace and Lily, who both could have been more won over to Jimmy Stewart, to my way of thinking, but nonetheless enjoyed themselves. Shop’s B-plot follows Frank Morgan (Oz from The Wizard of Oz
This bit was a full-on revelation about the human condition and also about what bugs me with respect to You've Got Mail.
"Because they are both aware of the depths of their own capacity for cruelty, and because they have reached those depths with one another, Stewart and Sullavan are transformed, and together they can safely abandon cruelty, which alone they could never do. Alone they can never resist their worst impulses; together they sail over them with ease."
My roommate decided I needed to see this movie for the first time this Christmas Eve. I'm not a Christmas movie person, but this also isn't really a Christmas movie--it's set at Christmas because it's set in a shop and that's convenient. I studied a lot of Russian lit in college and from the very first scene, all I could think was, "This is so Eastern European." Consequently, I adored it.
Thank you so much for this fantastic discussion of one of my favorite Lubitsch movies. I think the way in which many 1930s romantic comedies got remade in the 90s gives us a fascinating look into Hollywood, the different conceptions of romance of the two eras, etc. You've deftly investigated a lot of reasons that many of those remakes miss the mark of the originals.
Yes!! The 90s looking back on the 30s is really remarkable. And of course Meg Ryan later did the aughts-era The Women remake, which was awful but interesting.
The Shop Around the Corner has long been my favorite movie. This essay helped me see some of what made me like it so much. I found the insights in this piece enlightening and useful.
I also love the scene at the end, where Mr. Kralik walks around the shop, switching off the lights one by one, as he pops Miss Novak's illusions, one by one. The scene must have been even more striking in the play.
If this piece isn't fabulous, I don't need to be shown a piece that is fabulous.
This bit was a full-on revelation about the human condition and also about what bugs me with respect to You've Got Mail.
"Because they are both aware of the depths of their own capacity for cruelty, and because they have reached those depths with one another, Stewart and Sullavan are transformed, and together they can safely abandon cruelty, which alone they could never do. Alone they can never resist their worst impulses; together they sail over them with ease."
Strongly considering adding a framed copy of this perfect essay about my favorite Christmas movie to my Christmas decorations.
My roommate decided I needed to see this movie for the first time this Christmas Eve. I'm not a Christmas movie person, but this also isn't really a Christmas movie--it's set at Christmas because it's set in a shop and that's convenient. I studied a lot of Russian lit in college and from the very first scene, all I could think was, "This is so Eastern European." Consequently, I adored it.
Thank you so much for this fantastic discussion of one of my favorite Lubitsch movies. I think the way in which many 1930s romantic comedies got remade in the 90s gives us a fascinating look into Hollywood, the different conceptions of romance of the two eras, etc. You've deftly investigated a lot of reasons that many of those remakes miss the mark of the originals.
Yes!! The 90s looking back on the 30s is really remarkable. And of course Meg Ryan later did the aughts-era The Women remake, which was awful but interesting.
The Shop Around the Corner has long been my favorite movie. This essay helped me see some of what made me like it so much. I found the insights in this piece enlightening and useful.
I also love the scene at the end, where Mr. Kralik walks around the shop, switching off the lights one by one, as he pops Miss Novak's illusions, one by one. The scene must have been even more striking in the play.
Best thing I’ve read this month, and that’s really saying something. Thank you and happy new year.
This essay melted my heart even after the holidays - thank you.
brilliant!