Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.
- Awards
- 2 wins
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Customer Recognizing Matuschek
- (uncredited)
- Grandmother
- (uncredited)
- Aunt Anna
- (uncredited)
- Customer
- (uncredited)
- Waiter
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaEven though Margaret Sullavan was infamous for her quick temper and disdainful attitude towards Hollywood, James Stewart counted working with her as one of the great joys of his professional career. And because he knew her personally, he was more equipped than most of the cast and crew members to deal with her frequent and volatile emotional outbursts.
- GoofsWhen Klara is wrapping the wallet for her mystery boyfriend, Alfred comes into the room, and she stops to talk. However, when they both leave the room, she picks up the package and it's completely wrapped.
- Quotes
Doctor: Pardon me Mr. Katona? Precisely what position do you hold with Matuschek and Company?
Pepi Katona: Well, I would describe myself as a contact man. I keep contact between Matuschek and Company and the customers... on a bicycle.
Doctor: You mean, an errand boy?
Pepi Katona: Doctor, did I call you a pill-peddler?
- Crazy creditsOpening Card: This is the story of Matuschek and Company - of Mr. Matuschek and the people who work for him. It is just around the corner from Andrassy Street - on Balta Strreet, in Budapest, Hungary.
- Alternate versionsHas been broadcast in a colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997)
- SoundtracksOchi Tchornya (Dark Eyes)
(uncredited)
Traditional Russian folk song
Played by the cigarette case and later by the string quartet at the cafe
Set in Hungary, a young Jimmy Stewart plays the eligible bachelor "Kralik" who becomes the secret admirer of Margaret Sullavan's innocent "Klara". Kralik secretly becomes Klara's pen-friend, and at work together Klara confides in Kralik about the content of his (Kralik's) letters. Clearly Kralik is besotted with Klara - but is unable to make his feelings known whilst he is in competition with the "pen-friend". Confused? Well you wont be - this story has a sweet, almost sugary ending - but we all know it is the ending we all want.
Other characters worth mentioning are Frank Morgan playing his usual role, this time as the shop's owner "Hugo Matuschek", Felix Bressart as "Pirovitch", Kralik's confidant. Joseph Schildkraut as the womanising arrogant "Vadas" - so well played that you cannot help but hate him right from the beginning.
Finally William Tracy who manages to endear himself to us all with his over-confident upstart of a shop junior "Pepi Katona".
Recently re-made as "You've Got Mail" starring Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan for me is not as good as the original - although I suspect younger audiences would disagree.
If this film is on in your area over Christmas, I suggest you pour yourself a nice glass of wine, put a log on the fire and have a box of Kleenex handy.
- iandcooper
- Oct 3, 2004
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Shopworn Angel
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $42,219
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1