7.24.2005

Peek-a-boo! Ernst Lubitsch!


Move over, Billy Wilder, Polly's got a new director crush! Thanks to Derek, I've been on an Ernst Lubitsch kick since he lent me the enchanting The Lady Eve. I can't resist a good screwball (no pun intended...and even if there was, what would I mean?), and although the movie I watched this morning was more of a straight romantic comedy, the Lubitsch touch was apparent. Released in 1940, The Shop Around the Corner is one of Lubitsch's tamer films, but it's just as delightful as his pre-code comedies. I always enjoy a young Jimmy Stewart, and Maureen Sullivan is strange and wonderful as his counterpart.

And please, for the love of God, forget what I'm about to tell you; the mid-90's embarassment starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail, was a remake of this movie.

I like movies that feel Christmas-y, even when they have nothing to do with Christmas, and this is one of those.

3 comments:

Derek said...

Yeah! Ernst Lubisch! God, I love his films. I've been meaning to write a post about Design for Living. I think I shall do that soon!

Miriam said...

Yay! You've seen Ninotchka, right? Garbo laughs! I laugh! We all laugh!

Crystal said...

Yeah, that christmas thing, totally. I got the same feeling from this film when I watched it a few years ago. Don't you love Jimmy Stewarts character? He is so grumpy! But nothing can compare to the memory of seeing this play performed live in the local Lincoln City theater in 1995, you should have seen the way they pulled off the boss trying to commit suicide on a 5 by 5 foot stage. Good times.