The Shop Around the Corner
Published December 27, 2024
Film info
- Title The Shop Around the Corner
- Director Ernst Lubitsch
- Year 1940
- Run time 1hr 39m
- Genres Drama, Romance, Comedy
- Tagline An Ernst Lubitsch production
Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another, without realising that they are falling in love through the post as each other’s anonymous pen pal.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 2:20 | I like this kid’s logic. What does it get you? |
| 3:39 | Did they have face lifts this long ago?? |
| 6:56 | Corresponding with a stranger isn’t quite the same as reading an encyclopaedia but probably more fun. |
| 11:27 | “How much is that belt in the window? The one that says 2.95.” |
| 17:57 | Love that when people hear the boss asking for opinions they very quickly turn around and withdraw. |
| 22:23 | Shrödinger’s date? |
| 28:10 | “I just don’t believe in mixing bags with pleasure.” Weirdly, this is a really gentlemanly phrase. |
| 36:33 | Aw, why has he been fired? |
| 43:15 | It does seem like a lot of staff for such a small shop, to be fair. |
| 46:54 | Gosh, I wasn’t expecting that. Poor Mr Mateschek. |
| 52:43 | “That’s a very interesting mix of poetry, and meanness.” |
| 1:10:21 | They’re very cute together. |
| 1:25:04 | “Pretty near…” So not real diamonds then. |
| 1:33:31 | Surprising amount of psychological awareness in this movie. |
Thoughts
This appears on lots of Christmas movie lists but I don’t think there’s much to make it a festive movie - just one scene in the snow on Christmas Eve. But aside from that, I absolutely loved it. It’s such a cute, gentle story, the pair of them so adorable whether they are arguing or actually getting along. And I was surprised by so many references to mental health and psychological struggles. Way ahead of it’s time! This is definitely one to rewatch, it was funny and lovely and timeless.
Rating: 5 / 5