THE LUBITSCH TOUCH

Evening Star, Issue 23729, 9 November 1940, Page 5

THE LUBITSCH TOUCH

Ernst Lubitsch has come up with another and most agreeable surprise. For the director who made Greta Garbo and the world laugh with ‘ Niuotchka ’ has brought Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart to the screen in a motion picture as humanly realistic and charmingly amusing as the daily doings at the, neighbourhood grocery store. It is ‘ The Shop Around the Corner.’ In the colourful setting of a street in Budapest and a little leather goods and novelty shop Lubitsch tolls tho inter-related stories of the store owner and his assistants as they go about their everyday tasks, revealing with both gentle humour and pathos their romances, tragedies, and the laughter in their lives. He has done it with that famed “ Lubitsch touch ” which means entertainment in every foot of film.

It was a happy choice that again teamed Miss Sullavan and Stewart as two assistants in the store. Both are seeking romance, but get off on the wrong foot, and only realise that they are in love after constant quarrels.

Lubitsch never before was go interested in a picture. He personally purchased the story, adapted from a play by Nikolaus Laszlo, and supervised its preparation from the beginning. The supporting cast is outstanding. It includes Frank Morgan, better than ever as the kindly store owner. Joseph Schildkraut is the perfect villain _as the dandy, trouble-maker, and scheming assistant, who woos the wife of his boss and pays dearly for his perfidy.

Another highlight comedy performance is given by Felix Bressarb as the timid assistant, and Sara Haden, William Tracy, Inez Courtney, Sarah Edwards, Edwin Maxwell, Charles Halton, and Charles Smith are capable in other supporting roles.