There never was an actress like Margaret Sullivan, who could convey the radiance and poignancy of her soul in every part she played. She only had a few truly great roles, but this was one of them. She and James Stewart compliment each other perfectly in this exquisite picture.
This is a story of a shop around the corner - in Budapest and the people who work there. Family man Pirovitch (Felix Bressart), two- faced, sly Ferencz Vadas (Joseph Schildkraut who was so sympathetic in "Orphans of the Storm"(1921)), unassuming Alfred Kralik (Jimmy Stewart), Flora (Sara Haden), flighty Ilona (Inez Courtney) and cocky Pepi (William Tracy). Alfred has received another letter from his secret pen friend - her letters transport him to a pleasanter place than his humdrum shop life. That day Klara Novak (Margaret Sullivan) comes to the store - desperately looking for a jog. She is told there are none to be had, but after ingeniously selling a musical box as a candy box to an over-weight customer, she is in!!! But she is out with Alfred, they antagonize each other from the start from the particular colour of her blouse to the right way to pack boxes. Of course she is the girl of Alfred's dreams, his pen friend (but neither of them know it) and they have agreed, by mail, to meet at a particular cafe. He is to wear a buttonhole and she is to carry a book, "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy.
The store's owner, Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan) is having his own problems - the money he is giving to his wife is sending the store into bankruptcy. He is also suspicious of Kralik - he thinks he is having an affair with his wife!!! Events escalate and Alfred is sacked - Matuschek has had his wife watched and his fears are confirmed - she is seeing another man - but it is not Alfred, it is slimy Mr. Vadas. When he realises he has sacked the wrong man, Mr. Matuschek tries to kill himself. He makes things right from his hospital bed, Alfred is reinstated as the new manager and Pepi (who saved his life) is promoted to clerk!!! Even Vadas gets his come-uppance.
Everything works out perfectly in this perfect film. James Stewart is as far from a lowly clerk in a notions store in Budapest as you can get, but this could be his most memorable role. Actually this film had an earlier remake than "You've Got Mail". In 1949 MGM remade it as "In the Good Old Summertime" with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. It was set in a Chicago music shop around the early 1900s and was a good excuse to give Judy some popular music of the time to sing.
Highly Recommended.
This is a story of a shop around the corner - in Budapest and the people who work there. Family man Pirovitch (Felix Bressart), two- faced, sly Ferencz Vadas (Joseph Schildkraut who was so sympathetic in "Orphans of the Storm"(1921)), unassuming Alfred Kralik (Jimmy Stewart), Flora (Sara Haden), flighty Ilona (Inez Courtney) and cocky Pepi (William Tracy). Alfred has received another letter from his secret pen friend - her letters transport him to a pleasanter place than his humdrum shop life. That day Klara Novak (Margaret Sullivan) comes to the store - desperately looking for a jog. She is told there are none to be had, but after ingeniously selling a musical box as a candy box to an over-weight customer, she is in!!! But she is out with Alfred, they antagonize each other from the start from the particular colour of her blouse to the right way to pack boxes. Of course she is the girl of Alfred's dreams, his pen friend (but neither of them know it) and they have agreed, by mail, to meet at a particular cafe. He is to wear a buttonhole and she is to carry a book, "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy.
The store's owner, Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan) is having his own problems - the money he is giving to his wife is sending the store into bankruptcy. He is also suspicious of Kralik - he thinks he is having an affair with his wife!!! Events escalate and Alfred is sacked - Matuschek has had his wife watched and his fears are confirmed - she is seeing another man - but it is not Alfred, it is slimy Mr. Vadas. When he realises he has sacked the wrong man, Mr. Matuschek tries to kill himself. He makes things right from his hospital bed, Alfred is reinstated as the new manager and Pepi (who saved his life) is promoted to clerk!!! Even Vadas gets his come-uppance.
Everything works out perfectly in this perfect film. James Stewart is as far from a lowly clerk in a notions store in Budapest as you can get, but this could be his most memorable role. Actually this film had an earlier remake than "You've Got Mail". In 1949 MGM remade it as "In the Good Old Summertime" with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. It was set in a Chicago music shop around the early 1900s and was a good excuse to give Judy some popular music of the time to sing.
Highly Recommended.