The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

James Stewart: Alfred Kralik

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Hugo Matuschek : [after Miss Novak sells one of the musical cigarette boxes]  Well, what do you say now?

  Alfred Kralik : I think people who like to smoke candy and listen to cigarettes will love it.

• Alfred Kralik : [asking Pirovitch about cost of living for married couple]  Suppose a fellow gets an apartment with three rooms. Dining room, bedroom, living room.

  Pirovitch : What do you need three rooms for? You live in the bedroom.

  Alfred Kralik : Where do you eat?

  Pirovitch : In the kitchen. You get a nice big kitchen.

  Alfred Kralik : Where do you entertain?

  Pirovitch : Entertain? What are you, an embassador? Who do you want to entertain? Listen listen, if someone is really your friend, he comes after dinner.

• Woman Customer : How much is that belt in the window, the one that says "2.95?"

  Alfred Kralik : $2.95

  Woman Customer : Oh, no!

  [walks away] 

• 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.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Well I really wouldn't care to scratch your surface, Mr. Kralik, because I know exactly what I'd find. Instead of a heart, a hand-bag. Instead of a soul, a suitcase. And instead of an intellect, a cigarette lighter... which doesn't work.

• [Alfred Kralik has just disclosed to Klara Novak that he is her anonymous pen pal] 

  Alfred Kralik : Are you disappointed?

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Psychologically, I'm very confused... But personally, I don't feel bad at all.

• Alfred Kralik : Pirovitch, did you ever get a bonus?

  Pirovitch : Yes, once.

  Alfred Kralik : Yeah. The boss hands you the envelope. You wonder how much is in it, and you don't want to open it. As long as the envelope's closed, you're a millionaire.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : All my knowledge came from books, and I'd just finished a novel about a glamorous French actress from the Comedie Francaise. That's the theater in France. When she wanted to arouse a man's interest, she treated him like a dog.

  Alfred Kralik : Yes, well, you treated me like a dog.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Yes, but instead of licking my hand, you barked.

• Alfred Kralik : Can you see her?

  Pirovitch : Yes.

  Alfred Kralik : Is she pretty?

  Pirovitch : Very pretty.

  Alfred Kralik : She is, huh?

  Pirovitch : I should say, she looks... she has a little of the coloring of Klara.

  Alfred Kralik : Klara, Miss Novak of the shop?

  Pirovitch : Now, Kralik, you must admit Klara is a very good looking girl, and personally I've always found her a very likable girl.

  Alfred Kralik : Well this is a fine time to talk about Miss Novak.

  Pirovitch : Well, if you don't like Miss Novak, I can tell you right now you won't like that girl.

  Alfred Kralik : Why?

  Pirovitch : Because it is Miss Novak.

• Alfred Kralik : Flora, take a letter. Ah... To whom it may concern. Mr. Vadas has been in the employ of Matuschek & Company for the last two years, during which he has been very efficient as a stool pigeon, a troublemaker, and a rat.

  Ferenc Vadas : Now look here!

  Alfred Kralik : And if he doesn't clear out of here he's going to get a punch in the nose! Yours very truly, Alfred Kralik, Manager, Matuschek & Company.

• [Alfred Kralik has just been called into his supervisor's office] 

  Alfred Kralik : Yes, Mr. Matuschek

  Hugo Matuschek : Eh, close the door. Kralik, why did you put me in that situation, in front of the whole shop?

  Alfred Kralik : Well, I'm very sorry, sir... but it was not my fault.

  Hugo Matuschek : Well whose fault was it? Mine?

  Alfred Kralik : Well... yes.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Mr. Kralik, are you still here? Are you deliberately trying to spoil my evening? Why do you want to do me harm? Why do you hate me so?

  Alfred Kralik : I don't hate you.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Oh, I suppose you love me.

  Alfred Kralik : No, why should I? What have you done to make me love you?

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Well I don't want you to love me!

  Alfred Kralik : I don't!

• Alfred Kralik : Now if I were a girl and had to choose between a young good-for-nothing with plenty of hair and a good, solid, mature citizen, I'd pick Mathias Popkin every time.

• Alfred Kralik : Well, after a while we got on the subject of love. Naturally on a very cultural level.

  Pirovitch : Well, what else can you do in a letter?

• Alfred Kralik : Well, that's very nicely put. Yes, comparing my intellect with a cigarette lighter that doesn't work. That's a very interesting mixture of... poetry and meanness.

• Alfred Kralik : Now let me tell you something, Miss Novak: You may have very beautiful thoughts, but you certainly hide them. As far as your actions are concerned, you're cold and snippy like an old maid. And you're gonna have a tough time getting a man to fall in love with you.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I, an old maid? So, no man could fall in love with me. Really, Mr. Kralik you're getting funnier every minute. Why, I could show you letters that would open your eyes. No, I guess not, you probably wouldn't understand what's in them. They're written by a type of man so far superior to you that it isn't even funny. Ha! I have to laugh when I think of you calling me an old maid. You! You little insignificant clerk.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Do you mind if I tell you something?

  Alfred Kralik : No, not at all.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Well, when I first came to work here, something very strange happened to me. I got psychologically mixed up.

  Alfred Kralik : You don't say.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Yes. I found myself looking at you again and again. I just couldn't take my eyes off you.

  Alfred Kralik : Oh.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Mmhmm. And all the time I kept saying to myself, "Klara Novak, what on Earth is the matter with you? This Kralik is not a particularly attractive type of man." I hope you don't mind.

  Alfred Kralik : No, not at all.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Now here comes the paradox. I found myself falling for you!

  Alfred Kralik : I can't believe it.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Yes, Mr. Kralik, and very much so!

  Alfred Kralik : You certainly didn't show it.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Listen, in those first few weeks... Well, I hope you don't misconstrue what I'm going to say to you. After all, I'm very happily engaged. At least it looks that way.

  Alfred Kralik : Yes, well go on.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Oh, in those first few weeks, there were moments in the stock room when you could have swept me off my feet.

  Alfred Kralik : [pause]  Now I'M getting psychologically mixed up.

• Alfred Kralik : But I have troubles of my own without your blouse coming between Mr. Matuschek and me.

• Pirovitch : Kralik, you're not going?

  Alfred Kralik : No, I couldn't face her tonight. See, this morning I had a position, a future. No, no. I'm afraid I sort of exaggerated in my letters. I showed off a little. She's expecting to meet a pretty important man. Well, I'm in no mood to act important tonight.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : It's my fault anyway that you got into this trouble. Please believe me, I'm sorry, too.

  Alfred Kralik : That's all right.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : It's true we didn't get along.

  Alfred Kralik : No.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I guess we fought a lot. But losing a job at a time like this is something you don't wish...

  Alfred Kralik : On your worst enemy.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I didn't say that, Mr. Kralik.

  Alfred Kralik : Well, let's not quarrel anymore.

• Hugo Matuschek : Mr. Kralik, l've been thinking all day about what you said this morning.

  Alfred Kralik : I'm very sorry, Mr. Matuschek. I'm afraid I lost my temper.

  Hugo Matuschek : Oh no no no, I think you were right. I... I really believe that you'd be happier somewhere else.

  Alfred Kralik : [pausing, dumbfounded]  Do you think so, sir?

  Hugo Matuschek : Yes, I'm sure of it.

  Alfred Kralik : Well, I... guess there's nothing more to be said.

  Hugo Matuschek : No.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Mr. Kralik, it's true we're in the same room, but we're not in the same planet.

  Alfred Kralik : Why Miss Novak, although I'm the victim of your remark, I can't help admiring the exquisite way you have of expressing yourself. You certainly know how to put a man in his planet.

• Alfred Kralik : You know, Christmas is coming soon and we're certainly going to miss a good, little worker like you in the shop. So, you better get well.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I'm sure I'll be alright in a day or two.

  Alfred Kralik : But that doesn't mean that you should neglect yourself. Now, I - I'm very serious about this... because, I - I feel more or less responsible for the whole thing.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : You?

  Alfred Kralik : Yes, I...

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Oh, no, Mr. Kralik. Oh, no. I think I can relieve your mind, it wasn't your fault at all. No, there's a much bigger reason, unfortunately.

  Alfred Kralik : Well, don't you think you oughta call a doctor?

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : No, I don't need to see a doctor. No, my trouble is what one might call... psychological.

  Alfred Kralik : Oh. Uh-huh.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Well, it's my own personal problem and I'll come out of it.

  Alfred Kralik : Oh, I'm sorry. It's... it's a shame you have to go through all this. Of course, as long as it's only psychological, you won't...

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Only psychological! Mt. Kralik, it's true we're in the same room but we're not in the same planet.