No Christmas season is complete without watching A Christmas Carol(1951) starring Alastair Sim. It's a British film and was entitled "Scrooge" when released there.
It is a very charming movie. It was actually based on a 1937 Hungarian play, hence the setting in Budapest. The story was also remade as the movie musical "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949) with Judy Garland and Van Johnson in the leads. Same story but moved to turn of the century New York and the shop is a music store. It was also remade as Broadway musical in the early 60's called "She Loves Me". And of course the previously mentioned "You've Got Mail". Another Christmas movie I would recommend is the (darkish) comedy "We're no Angels" (1955) with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Also Ray as 3 convicts who escape from Devil's Island on Christmas Eve and hide out with a shopkeeper and his family.
Without a doubt, Henry, NOBODY is choosing their movies as well as you are. This is a great one. Nice job. I think that one reason they could never realize they were the letter-writers is that they only talked about their deepest thoughts in the letters but NEVER talked about that kind of thing in the shop. Everyone in the shop had multiple sides. Pepi's a slavish servant but then he becomes a martinet when he's a new boss. But everyone is like that, with more than one side. Mr. Pirovich is always the opposite of what you expect -- the one guy who WANTS to work late -- to get out of having to entertain family members he doesn't like. And so on. There are many versions of this movie. The original play had a Hungarian title that meant "Perfume Shop." The European play that followed was called "Parfumerie." Then came this movie. It was remade as a musical with Judy Garland as "In the Good Old Summertime." Then it became a much-revived Broadway/West End musical with different songs called "She Loves Me." It was also remade again as a movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as "You've Got Mail." I haven't seen every version, but I bet none of the others are this good! The director, Ernst Lubitsch, was to romantic comedy what Hitchcock was to suspense. I recommend "Trouble In Paradise" and "To Be Or Not To Be" if you want to see more, but there are many great ones.
Your holiday choices may or may not include the film I will mention below - if not, I hope you will find time for it sometime. (Next to It’s A Wonderful Life, it is my favorite Christmas movie.) It is the 1947: “The Bishop’s Wife.” It came out just after the end of WW2, and was like a sweet and gentle balm for the souls of war-saddened audiences. 🎄🌟
So lovely that you are learning the wonderful films of the great Ernst Lubitsch. He has such a light touch, and knows about subtlety and creatively inferring whatever actions or messages he wants to get across to his audience. He is known for the “Lubitsch Touch.” I love this film more every time I watch it and notice details. Apparently, Lubitsch would instruct his cast by acting out every role, and helping them see where every pause should go, or where to emphasize words or actions. Another incredible film of his- written by the equally great Billy Wilder, is “Ninotchka.” Especially unique are his”Pre-Code” films: Trouble in Paradise and Design for Living, and the slightly controversial film To Be or Not To Be. (None of these are Christmas films.) Enjoy!
And not forgetting "To Be Or Not To Be". This is such a perfect, simple, truthful production. Lubitsch was certainly one of the greats, and is able to take you into whatever world he wants. "Trouble in Paradise" was an early Lubitsch for me, and I loved it from start to finish
The story takes place in Hungary, which is an odd location back then for a movie setting. (I'm surprised they just didn't shift the location to somewhere perhaps undefined in America - like Bedford Falls.) The money amounts are NOT in dollars and sense, but "pengo," whatever they are. Note the names of the music and books are Eastern European or Russian, and the names are not familiar English (or American) ones.
It is useful to remember that the movie was made in 1940 when Eastern Europe was very much in the news. By the way, the Pengo was the Hungarian currency from 1927 to 1946. At the time, it would have been worth something around twenty American cents.
Lubitsch brings his European sensibility to American filmmaking, which had often been focused strictly on the experiences of those of the US. But the changes in Europe during the 1930’s, and then the crucial invasions launched by Nazi troops, forced many Europeans to leave their home countries and emigrate to the US. This added the international influences of German, French, Hungarian, and many other cultures to American filmmaking, including the contributions from Ernst Lubitsch.
As BigGator noted, the basic concept was remade with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the early days of the Internet. It's also a rom-com, and frankly except for the nods to Shop Around the Corner, I don't think much of it, but it's worth watching now just to catch the parallels with this wonderful film...
This is a favorite movie of mine. James Stewart is at his most charming, and Margaret Sullavan has a unique appeal. I would also mention Frank Morgan (the wizard of Oz!), who handles the difficult role of Mr. Matuschek with such tact, so he doesn't become too serious for a little romantic confection like this. (The director deserves some credit there too.) The story of two people who bicker in person but are in love when they write to each other is an appealing and durable one. It was made into two later movies (In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland, and You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks) and into one of the best of all stage musicals, She Loves Me.
"Well, what do you say now?" "I think people who like to smoke candy and listen to cigarettes will love it." Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁 Fun Fact: All scenes were reportedly shot in sequence. Remake Tribute Fact: In You've Got Mail (1998), which is based on this film, Meg Ryan's character owns a bookstore named The Shop Around The Corner. Good Frienemies Fact: Even though Margaret Sullavan was infamous for her quick temper and disdainful attitude towards Hollywood, James Stewart counted working with her as one of the great joys of his professional career. And because he knew her personally, he was more equipped than most of the cast and crew members to deal with her frequent and volatile emotional outbursts. Art Imitates Life Fact: While directing this movie, Ernst Lubitsch drew upon his extensive experiences working in his father's Berlin shop as a young lad. At the film's January 25, 1940 premiere at Radio City Music Hall, Lubitsch remarked: "I have known just such a little shop in Budapest...The feeling between the boss and those who work for him is pretty much the same the world over, it seems to me. Everyone is afraid of losing his job and everyone knows how little human worries can affect his job. If the boss has a touch of dyspepsia, better be careful not to step on his toes; when things have gone well with him, the whole staff reflects his good humor."
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No Christmas season is complete without watching A Christmas Carol(1951) starring Alastair Sim. It's a British film and was entitled "Scrooge" when released there.
It is a very charming movie. It was actually based on a 1937 Hungarian play, hence the setting in Budapest. The story was also remade as the movie musical "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949) with Judy Garland and Van Johnson in the leads. Same story but moved to turn of the century New York and the shop is a music store. It was also remade as Broadway musical in the early 60's called "She Loves Me". And of course the previously mentioned "You've Got Mail".
Another Christmas movie I would recommend is the (darkish) comedy "We're no Angels" (1955) with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Also Ray as 3 convicts who escape from Devil's Island on Christmas Eve and hide out with a shopkeeper and his family.
Pay no attention to the shop owner around the corner! Unbeknowngest to the cast, they held the key to their way home the whole time.
Great reaction to a great movie.
This is a favorite of mine, and I'm usually not a James Stewart fan. The war was hard on Stewart. You can definitely see the difference in him.
Without a doubt, Henry, NOBODY is choosing their movies as well as you are. This is a great one. Nice job.
I think that one reason they could never realize they were the letter-writers is that they only talked about their deepest thoughts in the letters but NEVER talked about that kind of thing in the shop. Everyone in the shop had multiple sides. Pepi's a slavish servant but then he becomes a martinet when he's a new boss. But everyone is like that, with more than one side. Mr. Pirovich is always the opposite of what you expect -- the one guy who WANTS to work late -- to get out of having to entertain family members he doesn't like. And so on.
There are many versions of this movie. The original play had a Hungarian title that meant "Perfume Shop." The European play that followed was called "Parfumerie." Then came this movie. It was remade as a musical with Judy Garland as "In the Good Old Summertime." Then it became a much-revived Broadway/West End musical with different songs called "She Loves Me." It was also remade again as a movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as "You've Got Mail." I haven't seen every version, but I bet none of the others are this good!
The director, Ernst Lubitsch, was to romantic comedy what Hitchcock was to suspense. I recommend "Trouble In Paradise" and "To Be Or Not To Be" if you want to see more, but there are many great ones.
Yes, those are great recommendations. I have been wanting someone to do _Trouble in Paradise._
Pretty much a perfect film with an exquisite screenplay, ideal performances from everyone and Lubitsch's wonderful directorial nuances.
Real nice reaction😊
Brilliant film, Henry. Your taste is top notch.
". . . Six people!" Thanks so much for this reaction. One of my favorite Christmas films. (My dark-horse Christmas film is THE LION IN WINTER.)
That's a good one. Another nontraditional one is _The Legend of Hell House._ Well, it takes place over Christmas, more or less.
"The Lion in Winter"! Oh that's wicked of you! 😉😂😂😂
Your holiday choices may or may not include the film I will mention below - if not, I hope you will find time for it sometime. (Next to It’s A Wonderful Life, it is my favorite Christmas movie.) It is the 1947: “The Bishop’s Wife.” It came out just after the end of WW2, and was like a sweet and gentle balm for the souls of war-saddened audiences. 🎄🌟
Margaret Sullavan had briefly been married to Henry Fonda, James Stewart's best friend, and the three were friends all their lives.
So lovely that you are learning the wonderful films of the great Ernst Lubitsch. He has such a light touch, and knows about subtlety and creatively inferring whatever actions or messages he wants to get across to his audience. He is known for the “Lubitsch Touch.”
I love this film more every time I watch it and notice details. Apparently, Lubitsch would instruct his cast by acting out every role, and helping them see where every pause should go, or where to emphasize words or actions. Another incredible film of his- written by the equally great Billy Wilder, is “Ninotchka.” Especially unique are his”Pre-Code” films: Trouble in Paradise and Design for Living, and the slightly controversial film To Be or Not To Be. (None of these are Christmas films.) Enjoy!
And not forgetting "To Be Or Not To Be".
This is such a perfect, simple, truthful production. Lubitsch was certainly one of the greats, and is able to take you into whatever world he wants. "Trouble in Paradise" was an early Lubitsch for me, and I loved it from start to finish
The story takes place in Hungary, which is an odd location back then for a movie setting. (I'm surprised they just didn't shift the location to somewhere perhaps undefined in America - like Bedford Falls.) The money amounts are NOT in dollars and sense, but "pengo," whatever they are. Note the names of the music and books are Eastern European or Russian, and the names are not familiar English (or American) ones.
It is useful to remember that the movie was made in 1940 when Eastern Europe was very much in the news. By the way, the Pengo was the Hungarian currency from 1927 to 1946. At the time, it would have been worth something around twenty American cents.
Lubitsch brings his European sensibility to American filmmaking, which had often been focused strictly on the experiences of those of the US. But the changes in Europe during the 1930’s, and then the crucial invasions launched by Nazi troops, forced many Europeans to leave their home countries and emigrate to the US. This added the international influences of German, French, Hungarian, and many other cultures to American filmmaking, including the contributions from Ernst Lubitsch.
@@Dej24601 Lubitsch actually worked in a retail store in Hungary at one point so he knew the atmosphere.
Strangely, this movie, the Bishops wife, Cary Grant version, and Elf are my favourite Christmas movies, I think
This is one of my favourite Christmas movies
As BigGator noted, the basic concept was remade with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the early days of the Internet. It's also a rom-com, and frankly except for the nods to Shop Around the Corner, I don't think much of it, but it's worth watching now just to catch the parallels with this wonderful film...
Yeah, not up to this film or _When Harry Met Sally._
This is a favorite movie of mine. James Stewart is at his most charming, and Margaret Sullavan has a unique appeal. I would also mention Frank Morgan (the wizard of Oz!), who handles the difficult role of Mr. Matuschek with such tact, so he doesn't become too serious for a little romantic confection like this. (The director deserves some credit there too.)
The story of two people who bicker in person but are in love when they write to each other is an appealing and durable one. It was made into two later movies (In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland, and You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks) and into one of the best of all stage musicals, She Loves Me.
The Lubitsch touch.
"Well, what do you say now?"
"I think people who like to smoke candy and listen to cigarettes will love it."
Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁
Fun Fact: All scenes were reportedly shot in sequence.
Remake Tribute Fact: In You've Got Mail (1998), which is based on this film, Meg Ryan's character owns a bookstore named The Shop Around The Corner.
Good Frienemies Fact: Even though Margaret Sullavan was infamous for her quick temper and disdainful attitude towards Hollywood, James Stewart counted working with her as one of the great joys of his professional career. And because he knew her personally, he was more equipped than most of the cast and crew members to deal with her frequent and volatile emotional outbursts.
Art Imitates Life Fact: While directing this movie, Ernst Lubitsch drew upon his extensive experiences working in his father's Berlin shop as a young lad. At the film's January 25, 1940 premiere at Radio City Music Hall, Lubitsch remarked: "I have known just such a little shop in Budapest...The feeling between the boss and those who work for him is pretty much the same the world over, it seems to me. Everyone is afraid of losing his job and everyone knows how little human worries can affect his job. If the boss has a touch of dyspepsia, better be careful not to step on his toes; when things have gone well with him, the whole staff reflects his good humor."
Merry Christmas~! 😊🎄
Thank you for sharing these fun facts. Ernst Lubitsch's personal experience transformed into a movie is a good one.