The Shop Around the Corner

The Shop Around the Corner (1940) starring Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan. In the original "You've Got Mail," Klara (Sullavan) and Alfred (Stewart) are a pair of pen pals who don't realize that they know each other. While writing beautiful letters to each other, discussing philosophy, literature, art and love, in person they don't get along. You might even say they don't like each other. But when Alfred discovers that Klara is the one who has been writing him these letters, his attitude changes. The movie has a couple of sub-plots that keep things interesting, and Stewart cements his place as a leading man. Sullavan is not beautiful, but has an every-gal appeal. It's an enjoyable, if old-fashioned, film. The disc features excellent subtitles, as well as closed captions. Grade: A-