tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post5039197405819326028..comments2024-03-24T21:42:48.278-04:00Comments on Another Old Movie Blog: The Shop Around the Corner - 1940Jacqueline T. Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-56906303495917923172018-01-25T18:37:46.279-05:002018-01-25T18:37:46.279-05:00Thanks for stopping by, Michael, and sharing your ...Thanks for stopping by, Michael, and sharing your impressions of this lovely movie.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-2858826189991938962018-01-24T19:42:29.019-05:002018-01-24T19:42:29.019-05:00The old world norms and values come splashing off ...The old world norms and values come splashing off the screen. The warmth of the main setting in a shop run by a sole proprietor reminds me of working in the small shops I did as a teenager.<br /> I love the actors and only recently learned that William Tracy a.k.a. Pepe played the role of Dude Lester in Tobacco Road.<br /> James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan deliver, as always, right on time. Frank Morgan is great in this part, his sturdy presence sets the tone for running a good ship that continues its' course even through treacherous waters.<br /> The addition of Rudy gave the film the innocence and joy that Christmas brings to those of us who love the goodness that conquers all in the end.Michael Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02147400193753625503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-75564084458396018432017-12-15T20:41:23.332-05:002017-12-15T20:41:23.332-05:00Easily one of my LEAST favorite movies, holiday or...Easily one of my LEAST favorite movies, holiday or not, that is also considered a classic. Margaret Sullivans character comes off as manipulative, mean spirited, and even just mean at times which makes the so called "happy ending" seem far less plays able. I also find her cadence and whispy voice and over articulated speech annoying as well. Though the rest of the film is well acted and charming it's Margaret Sullivan herself who ruined this holiday classic for me.Ben Byrdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03906138591270797359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-81776676967456633672011-01-05T19:46:37.017-05:002011-01-05T19:46:37.017-05:00Welcome, Lisa Joan Sepa, and thanks for commenting...Welcome, Lisa Joan Sepa, and thanks for commenting. I need to see more of Sullavan's movies to decide how I feel about her style. Unfortunately, she had a short film career.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-65795124383400406002011-01-05T19:28:32.248-05:002011-01-05T19:28:32.248-05:00I love this movie, but I find Margaret Sullavan of...I love this movie, but I find Margaret Sullavan off-putting and annoying. I just don't like her as an actress! Which I find odd. I can't place what I find so off about her.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14853529256880890776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-64202351611286612512010-12-22T07:45:13.115-05:002010-12-22T07:45:13.115-05:00Thank you, Matthew. I like your comparison with &...Thank you, Matthew. I like your comparison with "Wonderful Life" rising from the ashes. I agree "Holiday Affair" seems to be the flavor of the month lately. I don't know how the re-emergence of popularity of individual films or individual actors happens, but it's fun to observe.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-22915467250875721682010-12-22T02:02:58.652-05:002010-12-22T02:02:58.652-05:00One of the few Lubitsches I've never seen, but...One of the few Lubitsches I've never seen, but you make it sound irresistible. Don't know why I never caught up with it; I suppose it just never came my way during those formative years when there were dozens of old movies on British tv every month. But it would seem from this that I have no excuse not to make a special effort to see it!<br /><br />Looking forward to your piece on Holiday Affair too - one of my regular Christmas favourites and once a very obscure film indeed. It's great to see the word getting around about it - a bit like being in on the moment when Wonderful Life rose from the ashes.Matthew Coniamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00302989527514886503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-76416281519948525782010-12-21T07:57:58.745-05:002010-12-21T07:57:58.745-05:00Caftan Woman, that's a good point. I love fi...Caftan Woman, that's a good point. I love films that are structured like plays. There is an energy by focusing the action in a confined space that we don't get normally in a film that takes us to different locations.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-44261169050547996392010-12-21T07:48:59.830-05:002010-12-21T07:48:59.830-05:00One of the appeals for me of "The Shop Around...One of the appeals for me of "The Shop Around the Corner" is a sense of theatricality. It lives and breathes like a movie, but at the same time has such perfect structure and dialogue like the best plays. Both aspects are enchanting.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-60530131771766362352010-12-20T18:25:13.194-05:002010-12-20T18:25:13.194-05:00"Christmas in Connecticut" is fun. I bl..."Christmas in Connecticut" is fun. I blogged on it some time back. They talk about food a lot. Makes you hungry.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-23039074082802980442010-12-20T17:57:02.447-05:002010-12-20T17:57:02.447-05:00Oh, I will, at some point. But tonight it's CH...Oh, I will, at some point. But tonight it's CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT with Barbara Stanwyck. Last night I tried to watch another Stanwyck film, LADY OF BURLESQUE but I had to stop part of the way through - it was simply AWFUL. Stanwyck is perfection as usual, but the rest of the cast and the screenplay are dismal. Funny, I remembered this film being better than it is. Disappointing. But I loved watching Stanwyck jitterbug with Pinky Lee. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-35729408460715365672010-12-20T15:55:31.664-05:002010-12-20T15:55:31.664-05:00Hi, Yvette. Your reluctance about watching a film...Hi, Yvette. Your reluctance about watching a film with an actor whose real-life behavior disappoints you is nothing new among film fans. I think we've all come across information from time to time about film stars that colors our opinions of them and their performances. It's human. <br /><br />Margaret Sullavan, though talented, was, at the very least, a troubled person. <br /><br />Your comment reminds me that when I first saw this movie I kept wondering who else I could think of who might play her role in it. Not that I dislike her, (and I usually don't try to re-cast movies as I watch them), but for some reason I couldn't get past the feeling that her depiction lacked something that another actress might have provided.<br /><br />However, I've either gotten used to her in the role or else her "European-ness" as I stated in the post, just seemed to work for me. I can respect her contributions to this film. And you know, I never really could think of a replacement for her anyway.<br /><br />I hope you can give the film another try sometime. Maybe you'll find some worthwhile nugget you can keep.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-57277479509898835472010-12-20T14:56:02.270-05:002010-12-20T14:56:02.270-05:00I haven't seen this film in years, Jacqueline,...I haven't seen this film in years, Jacqueline, so my memories of it are very vague. I did see YOU'VE GOT MAIL (which I disliked). This, I understand, was an attempted 'update' of THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER. I must get around to seeing it again, especially after these glowing comments. I am most especially taken with the supporting cast of character actors.<br /><br />But still I hesitate and I'll tell you why:<br />Margaret Sullivan. I once heard a personal story of her behavior during one of her marriages which so shocked and disgusted me, that I instantly swore I'd never see another film with her in it.<br /><br />I know, I know, personal behavior should have NOTHING to do with an actor's films, but sometimes it does.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-81531799778340885462010-12-20T10:17:55.297-05:002010-12-20T10:17:55.297-05:00Gentlemen, there is little I can add to your detai...Gentlemen, there is little I can add to your detailed, and most kindly, descriptions of this movie. You show just how much it deserves to be on everyone's Christmas movie list. I'm glad it has such eloquent fans.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-56424324582835223322010-12-20T09:48:04.037-05:002010-12-20T09:48:04.037-05:00I first saw this movie three or four years ago. I ...I first saw this movie three or four years ago. I fell in love with it and it has become a holiday favorite.<br /><br />You mention the cast and I agree that the character actors are a big part of the charm of the movie.<br /><br />The scene with Mr. Matuschek and Rudy ranks up there with Father O'Malley singing Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral to Father Fitzgibbon as my favorite Christmas movie moment.<br /><br />Truly a great movie.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03348977249451234451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-46212229592131428802010-12-20T09:20:19.603-05:002010-12-20T09:20:19.603-05:00This is such a sublime movie. It's so quiet, s...This is such a sublime movie. It's so quiet, so evenly paced, that the deep wells of emotion it taps kind of sneak up on you over the course of the film. And I agree that, even though it's so obviously a Hollywood studio production with American stars, it does capture a quaint Old World charm that's really touching and beautiful. The world this film creates seems real but fragile, as though this kind of charming Old World urban milieu was on the verge of being lost forever - as, indeed, it probably has been, not only because of WW2 but because of a more rabid breed of consumerism than the gentle commercial culture depicted here. There's a sense that materialism hasn't run rampant here yet, that these things that people buy mean something not for their own sake as things to acquire, but as signs of affection for their families and friends, tokens of love, playthings to represent their feelings.Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.com