The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Margaret Sullavan: Klara Novak

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Quotes 

• 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.

• 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.

• Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : [In her letter to Alfred]  : Oh, my Dear Friend, my heart was trembling as I walked into the post office, and there you were, lying in Box 237. I took you out of your envelope and read you, read you right there.

• 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 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.

• 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 : I don't know what the difficulty is, but I can assure you, madam, that the word "impossible" is not in the vocabulary of Matuschek and Company.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I'm so happy to hear you say that.

  Hugo Matuschek : Yes, and I mean it.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Mr. Matuschek?

  Hugo Matuschek : Yes, madam?

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : I was at Blasek and Company...

  Hugo Matuschek : Oh, madam, I'm sure you'll find much nicer things in my shop.

  Klara Novak (Miss Novak) : Oh no, I mean I worked there. I'm looking for a job.

  Hugo Matuschek : Oh no, no, that's impossible! It's out of the question!

• 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.