1340 The Shop Around the Corner

[Finch]

With this touchstone of romantic comedy, master of high-society sophistication Ernst Lubitsch applied his famously elegant style to a new subject: the everyday hopes, fears, and heartbreaks animating the lives of the employees at a humble leather-goods shop in Budapest. As Christmas approaches, battling coworkers Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) grow increasingly exasperated with each other—unaware that, all the while, they have been exchanging anonymous love letters as pen pals. Graced with an irresistible ensemble cast, The Shop Around the Corner is a poignant, warmhearted look at the difference between romantic expectation and reality.

Film Info
United States
1940
99 minutes
Black & White
1.37:1
English
Spine #1340
4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
New audio commentary featuring Joseph McBride, author of How Did Lubitsch Do It?
New appreciation by actor-writer Noah Wyle
Two radio adaptations of the film, one featuring the original cast and one featuring Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by author Sam Wasson

New cover by F. Ron Miller

[ryannichols7]

first The Merry Widow and now this. what a week, no what a year for us Lubitsch fans. we get a new Joseph McBride commentary too!!!

[domino harvey]

No, I don’t think I will upgrade for a Noah Wyle extra, thank you anyways

[FrauBlucher]

Thank me for this as I just bought the WAC

[Finch]

I adore the film so the Warner BD, much appreciated as it was at the time, goes in the sale/trade pile. But yeah, low effort on Criterion's part from the extras to the cover (though I'm grateful they didn't go with cartoon art like for their screwball comedies!).

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

One of Lubitsch's most perfect movies. I agree that it's light on special features, but very happy to have a commentary by Joseph McBride.

[Michael Kerpan]

Nice to see this, but not upgrading until we finally need to replace our antique plasma TV.

[FrauBlucher]

While I think the WAC PQ is very good, I do think it can be improved upon. Seemingly, the WAC was from a 2k scan

[Lowry_Sam]

Not the Lubitsch most were hoping for (now), but also not a surprise. When are Flicker Alley's announcements coming?