I am participating in Phyl of Phyllis Loves Classic Movies, Remake of the "They Remade What!?" Blogathon!!
My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.
Anyway, I am doing three reviews in one post! Yes, I think that is the most I have ever done! As you can see, it is in my Older vs. Newer set up so all of these are all following the basic storyline of the first one.
Which is....
The Shop Around the Corner (1940):
In Budapest, Hungary, there is a little shop around the corner called Matuschek and Co. A woman convinces Mr. Matuschek, the owner, to hire her, much to the dislike of the head clerk, Mr. Kralik. The two of them always argue about everything. What they don't know is that they are each others anonymous pen-pal who they are each in love with.
Length: approx. 99 minutes
Costumes: 8, nothing too fancy. Maybe a blouse that some people don't like. (teeheehee).
My favorite: The blouse!
Crew:
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Produced by: Ernst Lubitsch
Samson Raphaelson
Ben Hecht
Starring:
James Stewart as Alfred Kralik
Frank Morgan as Mr. Matuschek
Sara Haden as Flora Kaczek
William Tracy as Pepi Katona
Charles Smith as Rudy
Inez Courtney as Ilona Novotny
Music: 7.
Music by: Werner R. Heymann
Quotes: 9, "I want your honest opinion."
Good For: Anyone anytime. And Jimmy Stewart fans.
Bonus thoughts: Do you ever have a movie that just makes you so happy? That is what this is for me! (Sorry, I might have gone a little over the top with the pictures.)
VS.
In The Good Old Summertime (1949):
In Chicago, all is going well for Andy until he runs into a girl outside the post office. Apologizing, he gives her his business card and offers something on sale to make up for it. She shows up looking for a job! It is a music store and she is a beautiful singer, so she is hired, though Andy doesn't like it. They fight with each other all the time, not aware that the person they write letters to anonymously is standing in front of them!
Length: approx. 102 minutes.
Costumes: 7, there is one scene where we see someone in their undergarments.
My favorite: Look at that coat!
Crew:
Produced by: Joe Pasternak
Written by:
Samson Raphaelson
Albert Hackett
Frances Goodrich
Ivan Tors
Starring:
Van Johnson as Andrew Larkin.
S. Z. Sakall as Otto Oberkugen.
Clinton Sundberg as Rudy Hansen.
Spring Byington as Nellie Burke.
Buster Keaton as Hickey.
Liza Minnelli as little girl (uncredited).
Cinematography: 7, just kind of standard of that era, but I like this dance number!
Music: 7, my favorite is "Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland".
Music by: Fred Spielman, George Evans, Betti O'Dell, George E. Stoll, Jimmy Wakely, Robert Van Eps.
Quotes: 9, "Psychologically, I'm very confused, but personally I feel just wonderful."
1. Judy Garland is left-handed. You can really see it here because of the letter writing.
2. Though the name is In The Good Old Summertime, most of it is set in the winter.
Storyline: 9, a little kissing, but that's all.
Good For: Those who like musicals, those who are fans of the actors.
Overall Score: 7.5!!
VS.
You've Got Mail (1998):
"My breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York. Just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you."
In New York City, Kathleen Kelly runs The Shop Around The Corner, her mother's book store. A man named Joe Fox decides to put up a big book store nearby, trying to steal all of Kathleen's business. They detest and criticize one other, though they don't know that they are correspondents, and they anonymously email every day.
Length: approx. 119 minutes.
"Can you spell cat?"
"F-O-X."
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Produced by:
Nora Ephron
Lauren Shuler Donner
Written by:
Nora Ephron
Delia Ephron
Starring:
Tom Hanks as Joe Fox.
Parker Posey as Patricia Eden.
Heather Burns as Christina Plutzker.
Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Matthew Fox.
Hallee Hirsh as Annabel Fox.
Dabney Coleman as Nelson Fox.
John Randolph as Schuyler Fox.
Cinematography: 7.
Music by: George Fenton
Quotes: 9, "When you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your life does."
There are references to the book Pride & Prejudice!
And, "What is with men and the movie The Godfather?"
Storyline: 6, a few bits deal with divorce, there are some suggestive things.
Good For: Anybody, fans of the actors.
Overall Score: 7!
Winner: All of them! They are all awesome.
Spoiler alert! The next bit to the end contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen any of these movies don't read!
Comparing the three:
1. Obviously, they all work around people who communicate with each other anonymously.
2. The first two really have the same plot.
3. In You've Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly's store is called The Shop Around The Corner.
4. In the first two there is a character named Rudy.
5. They all involve the male character finding out first and keeping it a secret.
6. The female characters all get sick at one point and are visited by the male characters.
Side note: Also, the first time I saw the first two I watched them back-to-back and it was great to see the similarities!
James Stewart, Van Johnson, Tom Hanks:
I'm just going to say quickly that in all of the movies I relate to the guys the most. They are all so great.
Who is the best?
Well, James Stewart is my favorite actor of all time. But, recently I have really been enjoying Van Johnson, and this is no exception. And... Tom Hanks is so good, in fact this might be my favorite movie of his.
I'm going to say James Stewart, but the others are excellent!
Margaret Sullavan, Judy Garland, Meg Ryan:
This is even harder because I can't just go with my favorite! I think this is the only movie I have seen Margaret Sullavan in, and she is wonderful. I have been watching Judy Garland movies as long as I can remember and at one time she was my favorite actress. Meg Ryan's performance here is wonderful!
Nope, can't choose.
Please tell me who your favorites are!
Thank you so much for reading! Big thank you to Phyl for hosting this! Make sure to go check out all the other entries HERE.
MovieCritic
