MovieChat Forums > In the Good Old Summertime (1949) Discussion > Good, but . . .

Good, but . . .

posted 18 years ago by filmdrift
19 replies | jump to latest

I enjoyed this movie, but in my opinion, 'The Shop Around the Corner' with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan was much better.

For those of you who do not know . . . the story featured in 'In the Good Old Summertime' (1949) and later in 'You've Got Mail' (1998) also appeared earlier in 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940), which was directed by Ernst Lubitsch.

I think all 3 are enjoyable films--but there's something about 1940 version which seems much sweeter. I think it was better-acted, the story was simpler, and I felt there was better chemistry between the leads.

In this version, I found Van Johnson's performance to be somewhat one-dimensional, and I think (the great) Buster Keaton was mis-cast. I also think the violin subplot distracted from the love story, and I didn't like the moments of "slapstick" that showed up in a few parts. I did, however, like Judy Garland (of course), and I also like the performance of S.Z. Sakall (Mr. Oberkugen).

As a movie lover, I can appreciate all 3 of the films--but I just wanted to draw attention to the earlier great movie.

That's my 2 cents.

[–] supernan-1 18 years ago

I agree that Buster Keaton was miscast. At the same time, though, it was nice to see him in a talkie that wasn't actually all that bad. And his violin-tripping gag was well-done.
I didn't know this film existed until today, and I was absolutely shocked to see Buster in a colour film, and opposite Judy Garland, of all people! That was pretty cool.

"You can't be a successful dictator and design women's underclothing."

[–] car7186 18 years ago

This one has always been my sentimental favorite. I saw it first when I was going to college about 19 years ago, and since I was a music major it really appealed to me. I have seen the Shop Around the Corner twice and I think that I prefer Judy Garland's performance better. Something about Margaret Sullivan bothers me and I don't know why.

Anyway TCM is doing both back to back tonight and its good to see the comparison.

NOW a warning?!?

[–] gbennett5 18 years ago

Keaton? - "miscast?" I don't think so. He's delightful in a
funny, if small role.

This movie wouldn't even be on DVD if it weren't for two
film geniuses - Keaton and Garland.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Mel204 18 years ago

I watched this film today and I agree with the first poster that it did not match up to the charming, sweet 'The Shop Around the Corner.' I thought that Garland gave a lovely performance but I saw no chemistry at all between her and Van Johnson (who personally I found kind of wooden in his role... Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of this type of character was much better), this may have been due to the fact that Garland did not like Van Johnson in reality. The chemistry between Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan in 'The Shop Around the Corner' was so sound that you feel the sexual tension between them in that final scene. Furthermore, I did not feel as much for the characters in this film, I warmed more to the ones in its predecessor, for example I felt more pathos and warmth for Frank Morgan's character than I did for the boss in this version, who irritated me.

Kralik: People seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth

[–] judysmarverlous 18 years ago

Where in the world did you get that judy didn't like one another. They were friends before and after this movie. I seem to recall they dated once as well, but i am not sure of that. They did get along though.

[–] OlLineRebel 18 years ago

I don't think they dated. But I never heard of Judy disliking Van. Who could possibly dislike him? ;-)

[–] metalman091 17 years ago

Actually Judy and Van did "date". They met in about 1942 and became instant friends. Johnson was thought of as appearing in 'Meet Me In St. Louis' but became a huge star in 1944 (according to John Fricke, Van was on active duty). Robert Walker was also asked and apparently Judy was all for it. Tom Drake got the part and one of the best roles of his career.

Judy and Van worked well together and he said she was a joy to work with.

[–] dogsandcats5 14 years ago

She and Van appeared together on The Hollywood Palace in 1966, so if they weren't friends why would she choose to work with him when she was the hostess for that evening? No, they were good friends.

[–] digitaldiva 14 years ago

Hi dogsandcats5,

I always wonder where posters get their information. Van and Judy were very close. I watched Shop Around the Corner for the millionth time on TCM this past week. I aPersonally I think Ms. Sullivan, though a great actress, was a bit brittle and artificial in the film. There is a darkness about Shop Around the Corner that I liked and I loved the supporting cast. James Stewart was great but to be honest, I like Van Johnson too. He was a very underrated actor and in my opinion, his chemistry was terrific.

I personally prefer the lighter approach of The Good Old Summertime and unlike some previous posters, think the chemistry between Johnson and Garland was fabulous.

[–] OlLineRebel 18 years ago

I disagree. IMO the 2nd is quick and to the point (YGM the worst there, by far), and natural (I agree about Marg Sullivan; to me she's over the top at times with intensity; believable only if the character is deranged), and FUNNY! The others aren't as funny. Never mind we get to hear Judy style some songs (unfortunately, 2 of them are pretty bad, but most really good). I like them all but the '49 is the best IMHO. ;-)

[–] Django6924 17 years ago

I couldn't agree more about the superiority of the Lubitsch version. This is one of the most satisfying films ever made--superb ensemble playing, direction that never (unlike the later film versions), is anything but perfect--light and effervescent as champagne, and packing champagne's kick emotionally in the scenes with Frank Morgan as the owner tormented by jealousy.

If anything falls short of perfection, it's Margaret Sullavan's performance. I don't know why it seems more stagy and artificial than the other performances--the movie itself bears no relation to any real shop in the real Budapest before the war--the only reality is the depiction of honest human emotions, and in that, it is more real that any number of grittier, harder-edged movies. But back to Miss Sullavan's performance--she gets on my nerves, and I have a hard time accepting her as the "Dear Friend" who wins over Jimmy Stewart's character almost in spite of himself. She doesn't ruin the movie--nothing really could--she is OK and in some scenes, like her reaction at finding Stewart is really the man she has been idealiziing, she is better than OK. Still, I dream of Stanwyck in this part.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] metalman091 17 years ago

Judy and Van had marvellous chemistry together. Van said in an interview that it was a joy working with her.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Doylenf 17 years ago

I much preferred this version to "The Shop Around the Corner".

First of all, I didn't like Margaret Sullavan's performance at all opposite James Stewart--but he was fine. She was too artificial and overbearing in her stubborness. And I didn't like the plot about Morgan's wife and him suspecting that Stewart was her lover. Didn't seem to belong in a romantic comedy plot. And his attempted suicide.

The MGM Technicolor version got off to a great start with that slapstick scene of Van ruining Judy's hat and then her dress. They played it beautifully.

Not to mention the songs she gets to toss off--and in such good voice.

And there definitely was good chemistry between Van Johnson and Judy. When they finished shooting, Louis B. Mayer asked Van how he managed to keep Judy in a good mood during filming. "Just make her laugh," he told Mayer. They shot the film within budget on normal shooting time, which made Mayer very happy.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

I prefer this version.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] jhonwask 8 years ago

I think all 3 films are so corny and funny. They are so enjoyable to watch over and over.