shop around the corner

[Paul C.]

Anyone seen the DVD of Lubitsch's "Shop Around the Corner" with Margaret Sullivan and Jimmy Stewart? I saw the film many years ago on TV, and thought it was a winner - I was wondering if it would be a good purchase on region 1 DVD.

Seems to be a paucity of Lubitsch on DVD and video - I'm not even sure if Heaven Can Wait (1943) is out on video, but I fortunately have an old copy taped off the telly. Indeed, there seems to be a general lack of old movies on DVD, IMO - I'd love to see more of Fritz Lang's American films reissued, as well as a few of Orson Welles', and lots of film noir stuff. Do any of you have particular recommendations for such material on DVD?

[Ken_McAlinden]

I would highly recommend purchasing this on R1 DVD. It has never looked better on broadcast television or home video. The only other Lubitsch on DVD goes as follows:

The Marriage Circle (Image)
Eternal Love (Image)
Trouble in Paradise (Criterion)
That Uncertain Feeling (Various PD companies, but the best is probably Roan)

For a skillfully made homage to Lubitsch, there's also Billy Wilder's "Love in the Afternoon" on DVD from Warner Bros.

Then there's the remakes:

Silk Stockings (WB)
You've Got Mail (WB)

It does seem a bit strange that WB has released more homages and remakes than actual Lubitsch titles. :confused:

Regards,

[Togo]

One of my very favourite movies of all time...now added to my shopping list!

:)

They really don't make them like this anymore!!

[Paul C.]

Thanks for the info Ken - I reckon it's a definite one for the collection at some stage. I was just reading about Lubitsch the other day in a book of collected pieces by the wonderful Andrew Sarris - now there's a guy who knows and loves movies. His familiarity with films in general, especially ones predating 1950, is phenomenal. He's a great one to read to fill you with the excitement of movies, and I think he sees and highlights things in films, directors and actors that we would nowadays overlook or take for granted. "The Shop Around the Corner" is one of his favouraites too.

[guy incognito]

Originally posted by Ken_McAlinden
Silk Stockings (WB)
You've Got Mail (WB)


Not to quibble, but I think In The Good Old Summertime was the musical remake of Shop. Silk Stockings was a musicalized Ninotchka.

[Ken_McAlinden]

Originally posted by guy incognito


Not to quibble, but I think In The Good Old Summertime was the musical remake of Shop. Silk Stockings was a musicalized Ninotchka.
They are remakes of Lubitsch films. That's all I said. If Fox had released Mel Brooks' "To Be or not to Be" on DVD, I would have listed that as well.

Regards,