Overview
A charming tale of love and misunderstanding unfolds in a quaint Budapest shop.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- christmas viewing
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Ernst Lubitsch's deft direction, Samson Raphaelson's smart script, and the perfectly matched cast as exemplary romantic comedy craftsmanship.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak fall in love through anonymous correspondence while clashing as coworkers.
Viewers understand that the hostile salesclerks are each other's cherished pen pals before the characters do.
Matuschek and Company supplies the recurring employees, customers, rivalries, and social ecosystem of the story.
Black-and-white cinematography gives the Budapest shop and its romantic encounters an elegant, restrained atmosphere.
Films like The Shop Around the Corner, and why
The Apartment
shared workplace romance, witty misunderstandings, and warm old-Hollywood romantic comedy tone
You've Got Mail
shared anonymous correspondence, mistaken identity, and sophisticated romantic comedy structure
Ninotchka
shared prewar European setting, elegant humor, and emotionally intricate romantic misunderstandings
The Lady Eve
shared screwball energy, oppositional lovers, and affectionate ensemble comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Ernst Lubitsch
- Release Date
- 1940-01-12
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (869)
Cast
- Margaret Sullavan
- James Stewart
- Frank Morgan
- Joseph Schildkraut
- Sara Haden
- Felix Bressart
- William Tracy
- Inez Courtney
- Sarah Edwards
- Edwin Maxwell
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Shop Around the Corner about?
- At a bustling Budapest department store, two combative coworkers fall for each other through anonymous letters without realizing they are already face to face.
- What is The Shop Around the Corner like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Shop Around the Corner as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Shop Around the Corner violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Shop Around the Corner.
- What did critics think of The Shop Around the Corner?
- Critics broadly regard Ernst Lubitsch's deft direction, Samson Raphaelson's smart script, and the perfectly matched cast as exemplary romantic comedy craftsmanship.
- Which films are like The Shop Around the Corner?
- Films with a similar feel include The Apartment, You've Got Mail, Ninotchka, and The Lady Eve.
- How long is The Shop Around the Corner?
- The Shop Around the Corner runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Shop Around the Corner?
- In United States, The Shop Around the Corner is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
