First Time Watching *THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER* (1940) | CHRISTMAS

Hey Everybody! Today we are watching THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940). This is my first time watching this film, and I can't wait to get into it!
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Please stay safe and healthy everyone!
XOXO,
Mia Tiffany
#rememberthenight1940
#classicchristmas
#movieswithmia
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FULL VIDEO RUNDOWN
00:00 Intro
00:27 Golden Oscar Patron Shoutout
00:42 Film Background
01:09 Historical Background
01:53 Interesting Facts
02:57 Film Reaction
26:37 Final Thoughts
28:01 Outro
29:11 Bloopers & Outtakes
Hip Hop Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/
Original Source: The Shop Around the Corner (1940). MGM Studios
Copyright Disclaimer: Under section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@drzarkov39]

The movie was remade as a musical called "In the Good Old Summertime" starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland, with S.Z. Sakall in the Frank Morgan role.

[@bearyez]

I was just about to mention that film. You beat me to it! lol

[@michaelway7936]

Buster Keaton was also in it as well

[@bobbyjosson4663]

It was also remade as 'You're Got E-mail'.

[@elbauldegonzalo3435]

​@@michaelway7936 right! And at the very end, a very young Liza Minelly also appears in the film, playing Judy and Van's daughter.

[@Nazza_Bazza]

And into my favorite musical ever, ‘She Loves Me’ ! 😄

[@mikesgirl8304]

I love this old classic so much, I feel like it's not a very well known but it's such a great one, Jimmy Stewart really makes my heart flutter in this one

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh me too! Especially in that end scene!! I swear he really knows how to sell romance 🥰

[@celinhabr1]

How i love this one! Such a sweet movie. Jimmy Stewart is always great. I'm glad you spoke about Frank Morgan, he was brilliant. Lubitsch was a master.

[@BeeWhistler]

My husband and I had to correspond by mail for a year and a half before we got married due to circumstance... I mean we had to correspond for that long due to circumstance, lol... yes, it was romantic. And yes, we've been married possibly longer than you've been alive... 28 1/2 years. So I was at least one of the people who recommended this and it's because it's one of my favorite films of all time, much less Christmas, and I love the balance of feelings throughout it. It ends on a positive note and it just ticks all the boxes. It's romantic without being cliche. It's funny, even silly, without being stupid or shallow. It's serious without taking itself too seriously. It's a Christmas movie without being completely about Christmas. There's character development in even the smallest role... a simple walk on character already telegraphs personality in one or two lines and the main characters are exploding with it. There's a convoluted little story that makes all of it make sense together. People act like actual people in it, no one is perfect and no one is expected to be. And the music is so lovely that I tried to find the main theme to download (I failed, though I did find a song of the same name by Damien Poupart-Taussat kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJeyp4qOqcZ-ZtE and I highly recommend his music). It's just a masterpiece. James Stewart is my favorite actor of all time and he's just plain sexy in this. Margaret Sullavan has some moments where she doesn't quite strike the right tone but he takes up the slack. But I gotta say, some of the side characters in this are a joy to watch. Pirovitch is the proverbial cinnamon roll that must be preserved at all costs, I love him so much especially when he laughs; he's just adorable. Pepe is one of those ambitious little dynamos who knows exactly what he's doing and bides his time until opportunity rises and then he dives for it. He's the perfect one to stop the suicide because he thinks and acts quickly. And the suck-up is hilariously awful, he's such a terrible person and the actor plays him so well. That constant smile until you turn your back and his crisp, too perfect speech. I think the boss has to see right through it but doesn't mind having a suck-up around because it's easy on him. And Frank Morgan breaks your heart in this movie. He could just about steal the show given the chance. That whole part building up to the suicide attempt and then his quietly desperate attempt to get someone to join him for dinner on Christmas Eve... that hurts. It helps a bit that Rudy is all alone, too, and I speculate that he plowed through every bit of that meal. I like to think that the pleasure of having treated a growing teenager to a big meal for Christmas is enough to keep Matuschek going through Christmas Day. But while I know the focus is on the love story, if I knew a guy had tried to kill himself within the last month and that he was spending his first Christmas alone, apart from the wife he freaking loved and who cheated on him, I'd be getting with my coworkers to make sure someone was with him at all times during the holidays. Just saying.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes, Yes, YES!!! Absolutely agree with every point you made, in fact, I think you’ve given me something more to appreciate about this film! It is so lovable because there is so much to connect with in this movie! Fantastic! And congratulations on 28 1/2 years of marriage 😁 here’s to many many more! Thanks Bee, for your comment and thank you for watching!!

[@iluvmusicals21]

Poor Margaret, she had a tumultuous life. I read in Jimmy Stewart's biography that he was in love with in her, and was brokenhearted when she married Henry Fonda.

[@MoviesWithMia]

What!?! That is wild!! Oh I can see it!!

[@waterbeauty85]

I'm so glad (and relieved) that you liked this movie! I was deathly afraid that it wouldn't play well to a modern audience. Also, it's such an eccentric (How often has Hollywood made a romantic comedy populated entirely by Budapestians?), little known movie that I'm surprised that made it way onto you radar, but I'm grateful that it did. This is why I love your channel.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yeah! I really think this movie aged well! There are so many themes in this film that modern society can connect with! Definitely one I’d recommend!!

[@redcardinalist]

>>How often has Hollywood made a romantic comedy populated entirely by Budapestians? Well....certaiinly up to (say) the 1950s, Hollywood had no problems making films featuring European characters. It's only (I think) in relatively recent years that Hollywood movies seems to be largle about Americans.

[@glenn20081965]

This is one of my favourites of all time. Great choice....the chemistry is second to none. Margaret is so talented. Shopworn Angel is another great from her with James Stuart. They did many films together.

[@rosaenriquez7155]

ALSO PLEASE: THE HEIRESS starring Olivia DeHavilland and Montgomery Clift!! THAT movie is BRUTAL!!! PLEASE!! I ❤❤❤ your reactions!

[@bessieyuill7888]

Fun fact: Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart appeared in several films together and she was previously married to his best friend, Henry Fonda! (Apparently, Stewart fell for her but didn't want to betray the friendship so he never said anything.) Thank you so much for covering this absolute classic!!!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Ugh! That is the worst to have to see your best friend with the person you’ve fallen for 😣 well at least he had a chance to do romance with her in the movie. Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@bessieyuill7888]

@@MoviesWithMia if you want to do another Ernst Lubitsch film then I'd recommend Ninotchka! Very funny and Greta Garbo's lead performance is excellent.

[@paulpeacock1181]

Also Billy Wilder co-wrote the script

[@TS-pl4tf]

Remakes of "The Shop Around the Corner" (1940): "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949) with Judy Garland, Van Johnson and SZ Sakall; a Broadway musical "She Loves Me" (1963) and "You've Got Mail" (1998).

[@SueProst]

Judy Garland, Van Johnson Buster Keaton Cuddles Sakall (Who was the cook in Christmas in Connecticut and Carl in Casablanca) and Spring Byington were in the 1949 musical remake at MGM. Liza Minnelli makes a cameo at the end. It is titled In the Good Old Summertime but it's mostly Christmas time in early 1900s Chicago. Kenton did some great physical comedy as did Garland and Johnson guided by Keaton. It's a Christmas must for me. Feels like family.

[@dompy1]

It's actually SZ "Cuddles" Sakall. He was great in In The Good Old Summertime!

[@BeeWhistler]

It's been so long since I've seen that version that I didn't even realize Buster was in it! I gotta watch it again. I do remember that it was good.

[@SueProst]

@@dompy1 My autospell spelled squall. I looked up his last name spelling but I didn't look at the result . Thanks for the heads up

[@SueProst]

@@BeeWhistler Oh this is my favorite.

[@RedlandsRedhead927]

In the Good Old Summertime also has a lighter storyline about the shop owner (can remember the character's name) which makes the movie easier to watch. Spring B's character is a long time girlfriend instead of a wife and there is no infidelity, although he is a little jealous. She is supportive and loving even though he can be difficult and it's a joy to watch their relationship. Their engagement party is fun to watch and I love Judy's songs during it. There's so much to say about this wonderful movie.

[@MearnieToon]

I love Margaret’s voice and mannerism. So unique!

[@pcwkid76]

Lubitsch was generally considered a genius director and did one of my favorite films TO BE OR NOT TO BE with Jack Benny and Carole Lombard. Stewart and Morgan worked together again in THE STRATTON STORY. Probably my favorite bit in this was whenever one of the employees challenges something said that offended party pleads their case to the whole staff. (ie The goose liver)

[@peteg475]

Watching "You've Got Mail" definitely made me want to watch the original, and found this one highly enjoyable.

[@purselmer5931]

One of my favorite Christmas movies and one of my favorite movies of all time. A real treasure.

[@williamcabell142]

The original has never been duplicated. They tried it with the Good old Summertime, and When You’ve got Mail. Nice flicks, but they never came up to the level of Little Shop around the Corner. 😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@johnanderson5558]

I am so glad you enjoyed this! I agree that the first time I saw this I found Frank Morgan to be a revelation. He was an amazing actor with so much depth and sensitivity.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yeah, I really enjoyed watching Morgan in this film! He was so organic and realistic, also, I loved watching James Stewart as he fell in love with Clara! He really knows how to sell romance 😍

[@Music_Lover26]

Frank Morgan was nominated for a best actor Oscar in 1935 and best supporting actor 1943. The 1943 nomination was for " Tortilla Flat", my favorite Frank Morgan performance. He was in this movie with acting heavyweights Spencer Tracy and John Garfield and IMHO walked away with the movie, even though he did not win the Oscar. Frank Morgan was fabulous in every part he played. If you want to see another very amusing little movie that takes place in Hungary, also starring Frank Morgan and Margaret Sullivan, try "The Good Fairy" from 1935. You may not want to do a reaction, but you might enjoy it just for yourself.

[@SuperMeglen]

I'm actually relieved you enjoyed it. I watched it with a friend years ago who was really unhappy with the "abrupt" ending that I think is actually quite funny and cute, and I've never forgotten that she didn't enjoy it. I also remember the first time I watched it, I had the exact same feeling you expressed after Mr. Matuschek tried to shoot himself - "What is this film?" I knew that it was an earlier version of "You've Got Mail", and I was expecting a straight-forward romantic comedy, but then suddenly there was this huge chunk of the movie dedicated to this adultery storyline that caught me completely by surprise. I still love the romantic plot, but over the years, Mr. Matuschek's part of the movie has become more poignant, so I totally get your favoritism of Frank Morgan. My husband watches this movie with me and feels the exact same way, and when we watch the end where he's trying to not-so-subtly avoid being alone at Christmas is heart-breaking and then so moving when he bonds with cute, skinny Rudy. No joke, we tear up every time. Also, I assume others have responded to your "Anna Karenina" inquiry, but I'll put in the plug -- 1935 with Greta Garbo. And Basil Rathbone!

[@Music_Lover26]

Also 1948 with Vivien Leigh. Two great actresses and stunningly beautiful!

[@jamesharper3933]

Great performances by all, especially William Tracy (Pepi). One of my favorite Christmas movies. Margaret Sullivan's character is one of those natural born salespeople.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Absolutely agreed 😁

[@jamesharper3933]

@@MoviesWithMia Hey, hope you got my movie suggestions I submitted concerning Black History Month and Sidney Poitier. Sadly, I heard today that he passed away. Maybe you can do something in memory of him. He was a legend and a trailblazer and will be missed. RIP🙏

[@kathleenharris3403]

Margaret Sullavan is the Star of this movie. She's the one I look at in scenes with thd other actors. 🌟

[@ElliotNesterman]

_Parfumerie_ was also adapted into the musical _She Love Me_ (1963), produced and directed by Hal Prince with music and lyrics by Bock and Harnick. In 2016 the Roundabout Theater Company produced an excellent revival starring Zachary Levi, Laura Benanti, and Jane Krakofsky. This production was also filmed and broadcast on PBS as an episode of _Great Performances._ The video is available on Amazon Prime. Absolutely worth watching.

[@marianneguevara8279]

Hey Mia! First of all I just wanna say that I love your channel! I don't think there's anyone else on youtube who regularly reacts to older films and classics. Its such a breath of fresh air. Not to mention you always have inciteful commentary. I also wanted to thank you because it was your Apartment reaction video that convinced me to see the movie and now its an all time favorite

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hi Marianne! Thank you so much! Yes the Apartment was so good!! I am so glad you found the channel 😁

[@andreraymond6860]

I highly recommend 'Random Harvest'. Make sure you havew a box of tissues on hand.

[@alinac5512]

I absolutely love the newer version of this called "You got mail", highly recommend it.

[@theSpaceAmoeba]

Great movie and thank you for the reaction. The "You've Got Mail" remake really only takes the love letter subplot, but this has more to it and goes much deeper with its "King Lear"-like story of the owner. Lots of interesting characters and relationships.

[@richardzinns5314]

Commenter Sue Prost mentions the 1949 remake of this movie, In the Good Old Summertime, which I really like. Buster Keaton has a supporting role which has to be considered unworthy of his talents, but I just looked the movie up on Wikipedia, which says that he was also a co-director of the picture, though he took no screen credit for it. Someday you might like to try that remake; I do recommend it.

[@dompy1]

You're looking radiant for the 2022 year, Mia! I wanted to mention that I always thought that Margaret Sullivan would have made a perfect Scarlett O'Hara. Not only did she resemble the author of GWTW, Margaret Mitchell (her namesake) but she possessed many of the qualities that were described in the novel about who Scarlett was. Scarlett was described as "not beautiful" and Vivien Leigh was TOO beautiful. Just a thought! As always it was a pleasure to watch your reaction to one of my favorite films! Wishing you a thousand more subscribers for the coming year!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hi Sergio!! Happy New Year and thank you so much for your comment! Yes I can definitely see Sullavan as Scarlett O’Hara! She was out her own little spice to the character! But I will say, Leigh and Gable just looked so well together on camera!! I think either way the movie would still be a hit! All the best to you this New Year 😁

[@dompy1]

@@MoviesWithMia By the way, the tune on the "candy box" is called Ochi Chernye, a Russian love song that means "Dark Eyes". Not a conventional love theme by western standards but haunting nonetheless!

[@MrDavidcairns]

Great review! Isn't it wild that the seasonal classics so often take in both light romantic comedy and suicidal despair? I'm thinking of It's a Wonderful Life and The Apartment along with this one. The ambition to tackle such wild tonal shifts, and the skill to pull them off, always amazes me.

[@CindyNavarro]

Meet John Doe is another in that category. It's one of my favorites.

[@Thomas-qj7zq]

Yes, Quentin Tarantino could learn something about tonal shifts by studying these old films more closely. His own are so amateurish and glaring. He leaves the audience no time to readjust.

[@vickicoyne4227]

How special that the final scene of the movie takes place in the "Shop Around the Corner"set ( the same set used in "You've Got Mail" Meg Ryan's Shop Around the Corner)!

[@amandabroom9878]

I love that you haven't seen You've Got Mail before this cause it makes the reaction so much sweeter.

[@slc2466]

Wonderful to finally see a reaction video for one of the greatest romantic comedies ever (and one of the greatest films period, IMO). You have excellent taste!

[@franciscogarza9633]

Deftly directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a smart funny script by Samson raphaelson, The shop Around The Corner is a romantic comedy in the finest sense of the term, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) 99/100% Certified Approved ☑️ Alfred Kralik: there might be a lot we don't know about each other you know people seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth.

[@dianem8544]

Mia, you're the greatest and I don't just mean because you include bloopers, which I adore. Thanks for doing all these older movies and thanks for being so thoughtful, curious, and respectful of them. Happy New Year! (Eee, Auntie Mame, yes!) Also, I know how Lubitsch feels, I've eyeballed James Stewart a time or two myself. Yowza.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Awww, thank you so much, Diane! Happy New Year and thank you so much for watching 😁😁

[@redviper6805]

You should see the director's WWII parody masterpiece TO BE OR NOT TO BE, starring Jack Benny and the lovely Carole Lombard. I got more laughs out of it than expected. A LOT of context had to be built up to appreciate and enjoy the humor.

[@larskaaber9869]

Mia, what a great movie audience you are! Your enthusiasm is absolutely contagious. I'm into the habit of ending all annoying days with one of your youtubes, you're a panacea! So far I've been through this one, "Auntie Mame", "Sunset Blv.", "Casablanca", "The Apartment" and "All About Eve". Do keep going!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Margaret Sullavan was one of the most respected actresses of that time, partly due to the naturalness of her acting style. If you want to see her in a devastating performance, check out Three Comrades from 1938. The final scene will have you pulling out the hankies, I guarantee.

[@BlueShadow777]

Thanks for this. I haven’t seen this movie for many a year. Just a small correction… The name is “Ernst Lubitsch”, not ‘Ernest Lubitsch’. Another good Lubitsch film is: “TO BE OR NOT TO BE” (1942), starring Jack Benny and Carole Lombard. It’s about a stage actor playing Hamlet who at every performance sees an audience member, a much younger man, sneaking out during the key soliloquy to have a clandestine meeting with the actor’s wife. Very funny. Mel Brooks remade this movie in 1983, starring himself Mel Brooks and his real life wife Anne Bancroft.

[@snailysaurus]

I just wanted to say that I just discovered your channel and I LOVE it! Of course I subscribed! I've watched your reactions on two of my favorite movies - "Auntie Mame" and this one ("The Shop Around the Corner") and your reactions are spot on, in complete agreement with mine. Will continue to watch your channel, thank you for brightening my day!

[@whobp8]

There is a classic film version of Anna Karenina, it stars Greta Garbo and Fredric March. Aside from You've Got Mail, there is another version of this movie, which is called In The Good Old Summertime, starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland.

[@beansfriend7033]

I love this film and Morgan in it (no shade to the rest of the cast, though). Toward the end, when you can see he's just a lonely man on Christmas and suddenly finds he can take the new errand boy to dinner, it's just so heartwarming. Also, if you'll excuse any awkwardness in the expression (tone is hard in text only formats!), your makeup in this vid is lovely. It's not my favorite lip color on you - I'm a boring, deep red devotee - but the skin and eyes ... wow, just glowing!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! I really liked that they gave Morgan’s character a blissful ending! Everyone should have some happiness on Christmas, after all 😁 And thank you so much! I really liked how my makeup came out in this video too!! I appreciate you 😁

[@beansfriend7033]

@@MoviesWithMia beautiful job! You made yourself even more "ready for [your] close-up" than usual!

[@taliamason7986]

Great film. Just watched it this past Christmas. Another really good one I saw after it which I strongly recommend if you haven't yet seen it is The Bishop's Wife (1947) starring Loretta Young, David Niven and Cary Grant literally as an Angel. 😊

[@melanie62954]

I loved this film in my twenties for Jimmy Stewart's dreaminess. Then, because it reminded me of my own experience working retail in college and being thrown in with an odd set of personalities that didn't mesh very well. But for the last several years, the part that always gets me is when Mr. Matuschek invites Rudy to dinner. Two lonely people during hard times keeping each other company for the holiday. Makes me tear up every time.

[@Thomas-qj7zq]

"That man" from the Wizard of Oz was Mr Frank Morgan, one of the most reliable and talented scene-stealers of the Thirties and Forties. He made everything he was in just a little bit better. Incidentally, I don't see why these actors should be talking with anything but their own natural accents since, if this really were Budapest, they wouldn't be speaking English anyway. It's called suspension of disbelief, a concept which somehow seems alien to too many people these days.

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

This is one of my absolute favorites you've reacted to, the charm and sophistication is just exquisite. Lubitsch creates almost a universe of his own, it's why they call his signature flair "the touch" after all, which if you haven't already you'll find it in further research of his films. I find this one wildly romantic and perhaps because the story gives it room to breathe with Morgan's grim-to-joyful subplot. I absolutely go back and forth on whether it's not my favorite part, but ultimately, I always settle on the film just being marvelous overall. Take a character like Pirovitch, his wise and gentle presence just adds so much too. I knew I'd adore the film when he bemusedly wants to know who Kralik would be entertaining in a superfluous dining room. I *love* that attitude. It's just a film full of terribly likable people trying to get through the day. Thanks for sharing this with us! It's not better than some of the others but at some point during the Lubitsch journey I'll be incredibly curious to see how you take to Design For Living if we're treated to it. It's really something and an unbelievably unique film for any time.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! I should have spoke more about Pirovitch because he was absolutely the best in this film! I will check out Design for Living because I would like to dive into more of Lubitsch’s films 😁

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

@@MoviesWithMia I love his go-between role. This is a man who's going to see to it his friend is getting that wallet for Christmas. I want to say too one of my absolute favorite scenes is Matuschek tempting Rudy with a smorgasbord dinner because he's thrilled he's found someone to spend Christmas with. It was the sweetest possible thing and it brings me so much joy.

[@epsteinisms1483]

@@bespectacledheroine7292 "Pirovitch" is played by superb actor Felix Bressart, who was so memorable in two other Lubitsch films "To Be Or Not To Be" and "Ninotchka". I sure hope Mia gets to see those great films someday. I would welcome your opinion of "To Be Or Not To Be". I can recall the moment that I first heard about that film - I was watching the old Dick Cavett show, and his guest that night was Jack Benny.

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

@@epsteinisms1483 I think I'm just stuck on Felix Bressart, after all these three are my favorites. This one's my #1 but I alternate on whether I think To Be or Not to Be or Ninotchka is better...they're equally funny in my opinion, but I like To Be's politics better (Although they're acceptable to most sane people these days to be fair). Ninotchka being all about "taming" as it is, I do feel troubled by loving it as much as I do, but I can't help it. Garbo is ageless in it. I'd go more into it if Mia was kind enough to do a reaction. But as for To Be, I think it must rank as one of the most hilarious films I've ever seen to date. It's a wonder it was even made. I can certainly think of worse ways to be introduced to something, is that interview easily available anywhere that you know of?

[@epsteinisms1483]

@@bespectacledheroine7292 Sorry. I just spent some time going through all the Cavett interviews available on KZbin and came up empty. I found A Jack Benny interview, but not THE one I was talking about. The one I found was several years later. (I almost got sidetracked watching all those old, great interviews. I remembered so many of them. I practically wore out the tuner on my parents TV set switching back and forth between Cavett and Carson!) Anyhow, thank you for your response. Somehow I just knew you would be a fan of "To Be Or Not To Be". Bressart's "Merchant Of Venice" speech is brilliant - just one highlight among so many!

[@crforfreedom7407]

Happy New Year!!! One of I think Frank Morgan's best roles was in "A Stranger in Town" 1943. It's a great movie for a wartime-era film! I love seeing him act when he's not doing his stumbling/bumbling/stammering bit but playing a serious role. That's what he does here and it's a stellar performance! Also, I think the best film version of Anna Karenina was done with Greta Garbo and Fredrich March in 1935.

[@mikefoster6018]

I watched this movie in a London cinema tonight. Lovely. I like how it has some dark edges, but is so human.

[@washo2222]

I'm so glad you discovered this film. I discovered this movie about 15 years ago, like a lot of Christmas movies made in the 30s, 40s and 50s, purely by accident and fell in love with it after its first viewing. When I saw "You've Got Mail" a few years later I felt it was kind of dry and not as witty as this. This 1940s version is a great ensemble piece. Joseph Schildkraut is one of those actors who can do almost anything. He won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "The Life of Emile Zola," and played the father of Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank. " He's also in another Christmas movie called "The Cheaters" with another "Wizard of OZ" actress Billie Burke and "Gone with the Wind" actress Ona Munson. There is a classic film of "Anna Karenina" made in 1935 with Fredric March, Greta Garbo and, guess who, Maureen O'Sullivan. Hope your Christmas was a merry one and this New Year be filled with peace and love.

[@Albinsable]

Excellent reaction....love this movie. The MGM 1949 musical remake "In The Good Old Summertime" is also excellent. Judy Garland and Van Johnson have great "chemistry" together and in my opinion one of Judy Garland's best comedic performances. Judy's daughter Liza Minnelli appears in the finale. Anna Karenina !935 starring the great Greta Garbo and Fredrick March (and Maureen O'Sullivan) is also a "winner". Happy New Year Mia....cheers.

[@davidfox5383]

Awww, Merry Christmas and happy New Year! What a great choice, and you are so right about Frank Morgan. BTW, another good performance of his can be seen in The Great Ziegfeld. This romantic story has been told many times: in addition to You've Got Mail, there is In The Good Old Summertime, as mentioned below. There is also a wonderful stage musical, She Loves Me, which was considered years ago as a film with Julie Andrews but sadly has never been filmed - though there is a wonderful British production on video with Gemma Craven (The Slipper and The Rose) as the female lead. For Anna Karenina, I recommend the Greta Garbo film (in fact, I'd love to see you do a month of Garbo including my favorite, Queen Christina).

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes definitely want to see Greta Garbo’s Anna Karenina!! Great idea for a Greta Garbo month!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@jcastromex]

I absolutely love "Queen Christina"! I'm hoping for Mia to react to it.

[@TTM9691]

I just saw this for the first time the other day....and I'm with you! Frank Morgan! What a performance! And same thing: I was expecting a breezy romantic comedy......was not expecting whatever it was that I just watched! Very cool! "The Lubitsch Touch", that's the phrase that gets thrown around when talking about him. He goes back to the silent era, 1918 or 1919 was his first film. Mary PIckford brought him over to Hollywood in the mid-20s. "To Be Or Not To Be" from 1942 is a great comedy of his./It's funny....because it's James Stewart (and also Frank Morgan and Margaret Sullivan) it plays like small town America! I had to keep reminding myself it was in Hungary! So funny. Americans! lol./ Happy New Year, Mia! See you on the next one! Enjoyed this movie and this reaction on top of it! New respect for Frank Morgan! "More Than Just The Wizard Of Oz" should be on his tombstone!

[@franl155]

I have this taped off the TV years ago. Thank you so much for covering it; it gave me insights into things that I hadn't noticed before. Frank Morgan is brilliant in his role. Given that no attempt was made to make the actors sound anything but American, I'm surprised they didn't relocate the shop to Anytown USA - which is just down the road from Bedford Falls. But then, Jimmy did play an Austrian in another film with no change to his natural speaking voice

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yeah, I had that same feeling, too. This could just have easily have played in an unnamed American city without any harm to the overall storyline

[@crforfreedom7407]

I also especially love Felix Bressart in this movie and EVERY movie he's ever done! He's one of the best supporting actors I've seen for his type. Wonderful man, wonderful actor!

[@lisathuban8969]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mia! I never thought about Frank Morgan as anything other than "the Wizard of Oz guy". But, you're absolutely right! He was an extremely gifted actor, with a very wide range.

[@ianmaw1585]

From what I've seen on your channel so far, I think you would like to watch Jimmy Stewart being totally bewitched by Kim Novak in "Bell, book, and candle." Have a great 2022!

[@BeeWhistler]

Seconded.

[@jgg59]

Ernst Lubitsch is a master Director and producer he knew exactly what he wanted from each one of his leads and supporting cast for better or worse. I love watching your responses because I relive the film through your first time eyes which is wonderful. Another one of his great films and his only film in Technicolor was Heaven Can Wait 1943 Top billing a Gene Tierney and Don Ameche an incredible supporting cast. Not a weak link from top to bottom. Tierney tells a great story about working with him. “Lubitsch was a tyrant on the set, the most demanding of directors. After one scene, which took from noon until five to get, I was almost in tears from listening to Lubitsch shout at me. The next day I sought him out, looked him in the eye, and said, 'Mr. Lubitsch, I'm willing to do my best but I just can't go on working on this picture if you're going to keep shouting at me.' 'I'm paid to shout at you', he bellowed. 'Yes', I said, 'and I'm paid to take it - but not enough.' After a tense pause, Lubitsch broke out laughing. From then on we got along famously.” Gene Tierney: from her autobiography Self-Portrait Hopefully you get to look at this this beautiful film and this is early in Tierney’s career she had made a few forgettable movies this was an upswing for her career. “Joe Schenck, a top 20th Century-Fox executive, once said to me that he really believed I had a future, and that was because I was the only girl who could survive so many bad pictures." -quoted in The RKO Girls

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh yea definitely! I would love to watch more of Gene Tierney!

[@jgg59]

@@MoviesWithMia If you do get a chance to check out Heaven can Wait by Ernst Lubitsch It has nothing to do with the film from 1978s Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. That is actually based on 1941s Here Comes Mr. Jordan

[@paintedjaguar]

Surprised no one has mentioned Stewart & Sullavan together in "The Shopworn Angel" (1938), another well known Sullavan film. Personally, I would suggest catching Stewart's romcom pairing with Ginger Rogers in "Vivacious Lady" (1938). Ginger's in peak comedic form and the two have pretty good chemistry. Not as good a movie as it should have been, but enjoyable, and I believe it was their only one together.

[@robertwiegman1]

I agree...the dialogue is some of the best movie dialogue ever.

[@jeffreythornton428]

In 1935 there was a great version of Anna Karenina which starred Greta Garbo and Fredric March. Vivian Leigh also made an okay version in the 1940s. I have always thought that the 1930s was particularly good at making movies about classic romantic era novels(Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas,etc) because many of the movies of that era had a romantic feeling to them. As for Frank Morgan ,he appeared as a character actor in numerous films in the 1930s and 1940s. He was always memorable. Happy Holidays to you and may this new year be good to you.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh I didn’t know Fredric March starred in Greta Garbo’s version 😍 he is like the Johnny Depp of the 1940s 🥰🥰 in my opinion, at least! That is a MUST!! Also, I would like to do more classic book-to-movie films, so I will definitely look into those coming from the 1930’s (I definitely would expect them to be more romantic, given the social and economical circumstances of the 1930s) also, same to you, Jeffrey! I wish you all the best in the New Year 😁

[@paulpeacock1181]

Greta Garbo made a silent version of Anna Karenenina called Love. Her costar was John Gilbert, who was a major leading romantic actor of the silent movies. He didn’t translate to the talkies because he had an awful voice

[@a.paulafernandes]

@@paulpeacock1181 Actually, he had a perfectly okay voice, it wouldn't be a problem for him, we can see that in Queen Christina, but there were the rumors that spread that he had a "squeaky voice", and also him and Louis B. Mayer had a major disagreement, so there has always been this hearsay that he may have sabotaged his career, i guess we'll never know. And not forgetting that his personal life wasn't going great, with Greta breaking up with him. Overrall, i it was a terrible timing for all of this to be happening at the same time :/

[@keng4847]

@@paulpeacock1181 The idea that John Gilbert failed in talkies because he had an awful voice is a myth. He had an ok voice. He failed to make the translation to sound due to a combination of 3 things. 1) He was very self-destructive (he was in the process of drinking himself to death), and thus wasn't always the most reliable of stars. And thus as his career declined he acquired the reputation of being more trouble than he was worth. 2) The fact that the boss of his studio (Louis B. Meyer) hated him. They had a long-time feud and there were rumors that Meyer purposely wrecked Gibert's career'. At the very least Meyer didn't shed any tears over Gilbert's imploding career. 3) The fact that most of Gilbert's talkies (he made several of them) were not very good and did poor box office. And because Mayer hated him, he didn't feel any urge to stand by Gilbert. Nor was Mayer giving Gilbert good scripts, except for Queen Christina.. Gilbert only got that part because the movie's star, Greta Garbo, who was Gibert's ex-girlfriend, demanded that Gilbert be given the part. The fact that his studio wasn't given Gilbert good scripts to do, helped to feed the rumors that Mayer was out to wreck Gilbert's career Some felt that Gilbert's voice wasn't deep and "macho" enough (as per-say, Clark Gable) to match Gilbert's macho image, but it was an ok voice, and wasn't really what wrecked Gilbert's career.

[@paulpeacock1181]

I stand corrected because I never saw a John Gilbert talkie. I assumed the rumors I heard about his voice were true. Thank you for the correct information.

[@mattn6066]

Billy Wilder had a plage on his office wall "W W L D ? " What would Lubitich do ? Ernst Lubitich would probably be best known for the 1942 Comedy TO BE or NOT TO BE. I have recommended several times in your recommendations page.

[@mendyboio3917]

An adult multifaceted Christmas movie! Yes, Frank Morgan was wonderful in this, completly agree!

[@theduckthief]

Their chemistry was so good because the actors kinda had a thing for each other.

[@mikem6425]

Jimmy Stewart is my favorite all time actor. It’s nice that my favorite reactor seems to like him as much as I do.

[@auapplemac1976]

Anna Karenina was made into a film several times. (See IMDb website) The most famous was in 1935 with Greta Garbo and Frederic March.

[@brandonflorida1092]

Great choice of movie and one very, very few KZbin reactors would have been capable of choosing. I think it's your third or fourth Jimmy Stewart movie. He was a superstar for a number of decades, but is not well known by younger people now. If you like Billy Wilder, and since I know you like William Holden, may I suggest the movie, "Stalag 17?" I promise you, it's superb.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yeah, we need to hype him back up because one could argue that he is one of the greatest actors of all time! I wish we spoke of him more!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes Stalag 17! I’ve been wanting to watch that for a while now! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@Ceelea1]

I saw this movie before "You've Got Mail". I was hesitant to watch it because I loved this movie. I do agree with you that Frank Morgan did a great job as a man who loved his wife but was beyond devastated when he found out she was having an affair. I followed his story more. I finally saw "You've Got Mail" and I love that version too. I can't wait to see your reaction to "Auntie Mame". I love the Rosalind Russell version (Lucille Ball was cast in the 1974 version called "Mame"). Oh, and Angela Lansbury played Auntie Mame on Broadway. I'm sure you will love this movie.

[@MFuria-os7ln]

Thank you for reacting to my favourite movie and my favourite actress!!!❤

[@annettewilliams1932]

Broadway adaption was a great musical staring Barbara Cook and Massey

[@Nazza_Bazza]

My favorite musical for sure!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

The 2016 Broadway Production with Zachary Levi is fantastic (the setting is done beautifully, and the performances are outstanding). The BBC also has a 1979 version.

[@jenniferrichards4267]

Jimmy Stewart was actually in love with Margaret Sullivan in real life.

[@Dej24601]

I just found your channel and am totally enjoying your videos. I feel like I am sharing an experience with a good friend. 3 other fantastic Lubitsch films I highly recommend are: To Be or Not To Be (includes comedy with serious themes); Design for Living (way ahead of its time regarding sex and relationships); and my favorite (altho they are all so close) Trouble in Paradise.

[@marlasotherchannel9847]

Mia, it's pronounced "koo-doze". Kudos comes from the Greek word kydos, which means praise or renown. Great reaction and looking forward to "Auntie Mame" , such an outstanding performance by Rosalind Russell. Happy New Year!

[@benj1955]

Thank you so much for this one. Always a favourite of mine. Happy new year.

[@JPSE57]

Stellar cast, sharp writing, and those delightful Lubitsch touches!

[@HotchkissJoe]

The tune from the music box is Ochichornia, which I gather is Russian for Dark Eyes. It is also played by Carlo in My Man Godfrey about 38 mins in.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello Mia, this movie was remade starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's called " You've Got Mail ".

[@ElliotNesterman]

_Otchi Tscherniye_ (Dark Eyes) is a famous Russian romantic song. It became very well known in the US in the 30s. Al Jolson sings it in _Wonder Bar_ (1934), and even Louis Armstrong recorded a version.

[@francoisevassy6614]

Has someone noticed that, when Kralik and Klara argue in the cafe, the band is playing Otchi tchornye ?

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

You mentioned that the actors weren't speaking with Hungarian accents. It's actually sort of an odd convention to have actors portraying people speaking their native tongues talk in accented English. When a native Hungarian speaker talks to other Hungarians, he speaks Hungarian with no trace of a foreign accent. The people he's talking to don't hear accented English, they hear unaccented Hungarian. The same is true of other languages, like German, French, and Italian.

[@BeeWhistler]

Good point. So they're all Hungarian and sound perfectly normal to each other. Doesn't quite explain Vadas or Pirovitch though!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Actually, now that you mentioned it, I understand where you are coming from. I just watched Memoirs of a Geisha, which is a film set in Japan in the 1920s-1940s. Similar to your point, the actors in the movie were speaking English with Japanese and Chinese accents (because they casted mainly Chinese actors to portray Japanese characters, which is another issue altogether) I found it to be a bit odd because I really felt that it hindered a lot of the performances of the actors. If they’d had the chance to speak in the native Japanese language (and if they exclusively casted Japanese actors) then they would have had an opportunity to express the emotions of the dialogue and the cultural aspects of the film in a more authentic way. Overall, I think it would have given the film a more authentic feel. But because it was targeted to an American audience, they had to make sure Americans could understand and connect with it on some level. Going back to The Shop Around the Corner, I understand why Lubitsch decided to have the main actors speak in their native unaccented language. Because it was a movie made for an American audience. So that makes sense, but what I found to be more strange was that he set the movie in Hungary rather than in a random town in America. I suppose to he did so to pay homage to the film’s inspired source material.

[@jeffmartin1026]

You need to watch To Be or Not To Be w/Jack Benny and Carol Lombard. It's a WWII drama set in Poland with underlying droll humor. I found the Mel Brooks remake a vast disappointment next to the original. Best wishes for a gentle New Year! Keep up the good work.

[@matthewconstantine5015]

I love Ernst Lubitsch movies. The Smiling Lieutenant is great and Design for Living is one of my all time favorite comedies. I just watched The Shop Around the Corner a few weeks ago and loved it. Also watched the OK but not great remake with Judy Garland, In the Good Old Summertime (and then of course, there's You've Got Mail, which is also pretty good).

[@pfarden5836]

good job, good pick. Margaret Sullavan was with the University Players where she met Jimmy Stewart and Hank Fonda. Her 1st marriage was to Henry Fonda, Stewart's good friend. Always thought it must of been weird to have as your romantic lead the ex-wife of your best friend.

[@elisadjones]

Frank Morgan and Margaret Sullivan starred in The Good Fairy from 1935, it’s a fun little screwball comedy where he’s chasing after her.

[@privatedeborah1004]

And she had wonderful chemistry with Herbert Marshall.

[@randallshuck2976]

Glad to see you covering this. I am late to the party but given enough time I will arrive. This is a sweet film, and the modern version is actually almost as dated. I don't think very many your age had to deal with dial up internet connections. Thanks again. Sorry I was late.

[@MrRondonmon]

Ochi Chornya (its spelled about 20 ways) was the song the dead beat (wife's protege) was singing in My Man Godfrey.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh lovely! Thank you for sharing that 😁

[@davids2096]

Ochi Chernye is that music box tune that plays when said music box is opened! The song has Ukrainian and or Russian roots! There is a lot of contraversi and confusion about the songs origin! One important fact about this song is that it is often associated with the marvelous Natalie Wood who was of Russian decent born in San Francisco CA Ochi Chernye means dark or black eyes! It is a very deep and meaningful song!

[@Zebred2001]

Yes there is in fact an original movie version of Anna Karenina, released in 1935 starring Greta Garbo and Fredric March. I haven't seen it but it is highly regarded.

[@NoLegalPlunder]

My favorite Lubitsch film, after this one, is Broken Lullaby. It’s a very haunting and powerful anti-war film.

[@brachiator1]

The Lubitsch film you want to see is Trouble in Paradise, a comic masterpiece. Great, very insightful reaction. Good point that the film is not just a romantic comedy built around the two young leads, but it rightfully gives them the final scene and the last word.

[@heathers.6424]

This was a great reaction. I love this movie. It's extremely charming.

[@redcardinalist]

I'm really glad you watched this and chose to react to it. I saw it a few years ago and I think it makes good movie for Christmas. Unfortunately, it's mostly forgotten about. Plenty of love out there for "It's a Wonderful Life" (always been a bit too saccharine for me) and "Miracle on 34th Street" (very over-rated imo) but not much for this movie. Worth also considering the setting. Although this is, of course, a Hollywood version of Budapest (and I suspect, in 1940 this movie was a bit old fashioned), within a year from when this movie was made, Hungary will become an ally of Nazi Germany bringing death and desttruction to the country, 40+ years of Communist rule .... and everything we see here will be swept away. Quite bittersweet in hindsight. How about watching and reacting to "A Night to Remember" (1958)?

[@karlstanc4444]

Such a great reaction! You mentioned about online dating… well I believe you’d love the newer version of this movie, with Tom Hanks and… “You’ve Got Mail”…

[@deanm375]

SOOOO Happy you are watching this!!! One of my favorite Jimmy Stewart Movies. Happy New Year!~!

[@dougearnest7590]

FYI, in December 1940 the exchange rate was around 5.10 pengo to the dollar. Around 12:05 he tells someone to put a thousand pengo (about $200) in an envelope ...

[@minnidrake3342]

Check out you’ve got mail it always amazed me to find out James Stewart was an Air Force pilot flying combat missions every time I saw Frank Morgan on screen he was terrific thanks for everything happy holidays

[@janishannes9221]

You’re doing a great job with this analysis. I love the actor who plays products friend of the guy with the mustache and I can’t think of his name.

[@rosaenriquez7155]

A PLACE IN THE SUN starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor. PLEASE!!!! YOU MUST REACT!!!

[@raindog3075]

Subbed because of Harvey and now this gem? You pick great movies!

[@tomaria100]

What fun! Mia, yes, it is a great movie and Frank Morgan was wonderful in it. Thanks! Loved seeing your reaction!

[@aranerem3767]

Hello Mia Tiffany. Have an awesome year

[@80sdreamwave32]

I watch this every Christmas love this movie

[@sgabig]

Just noticed they orchestra in the cafe played the song from the cigarette box @17:29

[@sloanjr]

Really enjoyed this review and many others since I've come across your phone channel. Another Ernst Lubitch classic is "To Be or Not to Be" with Carole Lombard, Jack Benny and an early role for the original host of Unsolved Mysteries, Robert Stack.

[@ajivins1]

Not sure if you've seen 'Harvey' with Stewart or 'Destry Rides Again' but they're great. A much later film is 'The Flight of the Phoenix' with him plus a great cast. Though it's beyond your remit the eighties Sci-Fi 'Android' features the title character who's a bit obsessed by Stewart. A very recent movie I just saw was 'Judy' with Rene Zellwegger as Garland who was amazing.