Written as part of the blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Join in the fun by picking three films that fit the chosen theme and telling us about them!
This week's theme is... a bit weird. Work Place Movies. I mean, it's not really weird, but when I think of "Work place" as a main descriptor, I usually think of TV sitcoms like Fawlty Towers, the Mary Tyler Moore Show, NewsRadio, etc. But that's just me.
ANYWAY...
I think I picked three good ones this week. They all have something in common. Can you guess what it is?
The Shop Around the Corner (Ernst Lubitsch, 1940) This delightful adaptation of a play by Miklos Laszlo is one of Lubitsch's best - and that's saying something! Margaret Sullivan and James Stewart play co-workers at a gift shop in Budapest who kind of can't stand each other on the job... at the same time as they're falling for each other as "lonely hearts" pen pals! Of course, eventually they figure out who each other is, but the journey is really what makes this such a treat. The famed "Lubitsch touch" is in full display in this witty, perfectly-paced film. The cast is pure enjoyment (Frank Morgan as the shop proprietor and Joseph Schildkraut and Inez Courtney as other shopworkers), and it's perfectly staged - for proof, just watch my other picks, which steal scenes wholesale from this original, the ultimate workplace romance.
In The Good Old Summertime (Robert Z. Leonard, 1949) There's very little to improve upon in Shop Around the Corner, so MGM decided to add songs, Technicolor, and Judy Garland. And you know what? It almost works! Nearly as perfectly cast as the original (Buster Keaton, Spring Byington, and S.Z. Sakall fill out the shop staff, now a music shop in turn-of-the-century America), the only slight misstep is Van Johnson, who in some places comes off a bit too creepily cruel as opposed to lovably antagonistic. But nevertheless, the source material is so foolproof that he can't ruin it. Not one of MGM's best musicals, but this is still a very enjoyable film.
You've Got Mail (Nora Ephron, 1998) Leave it to Nora Ephron to update this story to the digital age, substituting chat rooms and email for lonely hearts letters and post office boxes (is this the original catfishing story?). Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks have the best chemistry of any central couple in these three films, but sadly the great supporting cast (which includes Dave Chappelle and Jean Stapleton) is pushed to the sidelines. But that's also a product of the biggest change to the source material: Instead of working in the same shop, our central couple work for competing businesses - she for a lovely independent bookstore, he for a corporate conglomerate - and they're both in relationships with slightly awful people. Of course, the fact that large corporate bookstores like Barnes & Noble are now going out of business as well as small independent shops dates this film even more than the dial-up tones and AOL screens, but Ryan and Hanks make it plenty worth watching.
BONUS PICKS
...okay, fine, those are all really one choice. So here's another just for kicks and giggles.
Wanted (Timur Bekmambetov, 2008) I know a lot of people don't like this movie, but I love it's energy and inventiveness and twisted sense of humor and Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman (and Chris Pratt in a supporting role). We get to follow poor, maladjusted office drone Wesley through two workplaces: his cubicle-filled corporate shithole and his newfound calling as part of a cadre of deadly assassins led by Freeman which includes Jolie's dead-sexy (and just plain deadly) Fox
What Women Want (Nancy Meyers, 2000) This may be underrated because of Mel Gibson's descent into madness/irrelevancy, but its actually a lot of fun. Mel is the king of male-directed T&A advertising, who gets looked over for a promotion in favor of - SHOCKER - a woman (Helen Hunt at her typical intelligent best). And then, he gets shocked by electricity and can hear women's inner thoughts. Hilarity and killer cameos from Marissa Tomei, Loretta Devine, Bette Midler, Sarah Paulson, and Delta Burke & Valerie Perrine (as the only two women to have absolutely no thoughts in their heads) ensue.
Lol, nice. The only version I've tried to watch is You've Got Mail and couldn't get through. Wasn't ready for it back then, just never tried to go back to it. I have seen Wanted. Great idea. Just didn't quite work.
I haven't seen any of your choices, though you can't really go wrong with Jimmy Stewart. Actually, I've seen half of Wanted but it was late at night and I was sleepy so I turned it off.
I'm so intrigued by the three versions of the same story I wish I had thought of it too! Like Drew I love that you did the three versions of Shop Around the Corner! I've always felt that Jimmy Stewart and Maggie Sullavan had the best chemistry of the three sets of actors, he was platonically in love with her behind the scenes for many years and I think that comes through in the way he looks at her in their scenes together.
The original is my favorite by far, how Frank Morgan wasn't nominated for his beautiful work is beyond me. The second is pleasant enough, and Judy is in great voice, but aside from Van, who I've never been much of a fan of, being a puffed up jackass they cut out all the pathos that added so much to the first. The Hanks/Ryan one I find meh, they interact well, although I think their other pairings are better, but the gossamer charm is notably absent and like you say the supporting cast is wasted.
Wanted is a fun pick, would never have thought of it. I didn't love WWW, both Hunt and Gibson are performers I find eminently risible but it was harmless and I did LOVE the Delta/Valerie duo and of course Bette.
Here's my three for the week:
Soapdish (1991)-It's high time for hilarity on the set of "The Sun Also Sets". Taking place mostly in the offices and sets of the soap with a cast that any show would kill for this shows the day by day insanity that sometimes goes on behind the scenes. Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Shue, Robert Downey, Jr., Carrie Fisher, Kathy Najimy and Teri Hatcher are all brilliant in parts large and small but the two true standouts are Sally Field as Celeste Talbert, the rapidly unspooling America's Sweetheart and Cathy Moriarty as grasping diva Montana Moorehead, she's positively unhinged.
Desk Set (1957)-Tracy & Hepburn comedy set right at the dawn of the computer age. Kate is the head of a reference department for TV network when efficiency expert Spencer shows up with a proposal to install an electronic brain, as computers were referred to at the time, it takes up an entire room! They spar and do the dance they do so well as they circle each other. One of their best with a delightful, peppery performance by Joan Blondell in support.
Executive Suite (1954)-When the head of a large furniture manufacturing firm dies suddenly his vice-presidents scramble to see who will assume the presidency. A sharp drama of corporate maneuvering with an all-star cast including William Holden, Fredric March, June Allyson, Shelley Winters and Barbara Stanwyck.
I also expected to see 9 to 5 all over the place this week, it just fits so well but surprisingly it was no one's main pick, though I've seen it referenced here and there.
I do think Stewart and Sullivan have good chemistry, but Sullivan looks/sounds like she is on the verge of tears ALL THE TIME and I have a hard time getting past it lol. And yes, Frank Morgan is tops in this role. You're absolutely right about Summertime - Van is near-insufferable, but Judy and the supporting cast make it worthy for me. Hanks and Ryan have incredible chemistry but the film is heavy-handed - they do lift it, but you're right that the gossamer charm of their other films together is missing. And wasting THAT supporting cast is a crime.
I actually think Bette (in her later years, anyway) is much better in the kinds of supporting/cameo roles like she has in WWW: She has such great energy, and always comes up with great funny business (the bit with the cigarette here just slays me). And Delta and Valerie make me laugh so hard despite doing (literally) ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Of your picks, I ADORE Soapdish, and haven't seen the other two, although they are both on my list!
Margaret Sullavan always had that kind of dusky quaver to her voice. I've always found it enchanting but I can see how it might not be the same for everyone.
She didn't make many films, she preferred the stage and was quite a handful behind the scenes. She was a manic/depressive and would fly off the handle at the least thing but then return and be utterly bewitching, or so said Henry Fonda in his biography. They were briefly married before they were stars and remained close for the rest of her life as did their children, Bridget Fonda is named after one of Sullavan's daughters who Peter Fonda was in love with before her suicide. Sadly suicide ran in that family, Maggie Sullavan killed herself at 50 when she feared her incipient deafness would end her career and beside Bridget her son Bill died from a self inflicted gun shot wound a few years ago. Her other daughter Brooke Hayward, who was briefly married to Dennis Hopper, wrote a book about how all the promise of their lives went so wrong called Haywire which became a best seller and a mini-series with Lee Remick playing Sullavan. Both the book and the show were fascinating in their sad way.
I think you'll really like Desk Set, it's the couple's second to last pairing and by this time they are so comfortable with each others rhythms they make the picture flow like honey.
Thanks! TECHNICALLY, You've Got Mail isn't a remake, just another version of the same source material (Laszlo's original play). But if you watch it and Shop Around the Corner, the scene where they meet at the cafe is reproduced almost exactly in the later film.
I love love Wanted. Especially some of the office scenes. I really enjoyed What Women Want as well. Did you know there's a Chinese remake of it ... I haven't it seen though.
I fucking love that you chose the same movie, three ways!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so rare that not just one, but TWO remakes of the same property are any good that I had to run with it!
DeleteLol, nice. The only version I've tried to watch is You've Got Mail and couldn't get through. Wasn't ready for it back then, just never tried to go back to it. I have seen Wanted. Great idea. Just didn't quite work.
ReplyDeleteThe original really is the best, although You've Got Mail is fun in its own, time-capsule way.
DeleteI LOVE Wanted, but I am well-aware of its flaws.
I haven't seen any of your choices, though you can't really go wrong with Jimmy Stewart. Actually, I've seen half of Wanted but it was late at night and I was sleepy so I turned it off.
ReplyDeleteFawlty Towers...classic TV...
True, you can't go wrong with Jimmy! And yeah, Wanted is not something to be watched late at night when one is tired.
DeleteFawlty Towers is BRILLIANCE.
I'm so intrigued by the three versions of the same story I wish I had thought of it too! Like Drew I love that you did the three versions of Shop Around the Corner! I've always felt that Jimmy Stewart and Maggie Sullavan had the best chemistry of the three sets of actors, he was platonically in love with her behind the scenes for many years and I think that comes through in the way he looks at her in their scenes together.
ReplyDeleteThe original is my favorite by far, how Frank Morgan wasn't nominated for his beautiful work is beyond me. The second is pleasant enough, and Judy is in great voice, but aside from Van, who I've never been much of a fan of, being a puffed up jackass they cut out all the pathos that added so much to the first. The Hanks/Ryan one I find meh, they interact well, although I think their other pairings are better, but the gossamer charm is notably absent and like you say the supporting cast is wasted.
Wanted is a fun pick, would never have thought of it. I didn't love WWW, both Hunt and Gibson are performers I find eminently risible but it was harmless and I did LOVE the Delta/Valerie duo and of course Bette.
Here's my three for the week:
Soapdish (1991)-It's high time for hilarity on the set of "The Sun Also Sets". Taking place mostly in the offices and sets of the soap with a cast that any show would kill for this shows the day by day insanity that sometimes goes on behind the scenes. Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Shue, Robert Downey, Jr., Carrie Fisher, Kathy Najimy and Teri Hatcher are all brilliant in parts large and small but the two true standouts are Sally Field as Celeste Talbert, the rapidly unspooling America's Sweetheart and Cathy Moriarty as grasping diva Montana Moorehead, she's positively unhinged.
Desk Set (1957)-Tracy & Hepburn comedy set right at the dawn of the computer age. Kate is the head of a reference department for TV network when efficiency expert Spencer shows up with a proposal to install an electronic brain, as computers were referred to at the time, it takes up an entire room! They spar and do the dance they do so well as they circle each other. One of their best with a delightful, peppery performance by Joan Blondell in support.
Executive Suite (1954)-When the head of a large furniture manufacturing firm dies suddenly his vice-presidents scramble to see who will assume the presidency. A sharp drama of corporate maneuvering with an all-star cast including William Holden, Fredric March, June Allyson, Shelley Winters and Barbara Stanwyck.
I also expected to see 9 to 5 all over the place this week, it just fits so well but surprisingly it was no one's main pick, though I've seen it referenced here and there.
I do think Stewart and Sullivan have good chemistry, but Sullivan looks/sounds like she is on the verge of tears ALL THE TIME and I have a hard time getting past it lol. And yes, Frank Morgan is tops in this role. You're absolutely right about Summertime - Van is near-insufferable, but Judy and the supporting cast make it worthy for me. Hanks and Ryan have incredible chemistry but the film is heavy-handed - they do lift it, but you're right that the gossamer charm of their other films together is missing. And wasting THAT supporting cast is a crime.
DeleteI actually think Bette (in her later years, anyway) is much better in the kinds of supporting/cameo roles like she has in WWW: She has such great energy, and always comes up with great funny business (the bit with the cigarette here just slays me). And Delta and Valerie make me laugh so hard despite doing (literally) ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Of your picks, I ADORE Soapdish, and haven't seen the other two, although they are both on my list!
Margaret Sullavan always had that kind of dusky quaver to her voice. I've always found it enchanting but I can see how it might not be the same for everyone.
DeleteShe didn't make many films, she preferred the stage and was quite a handful behind the scenes. She was a manic/depressive and would fly off the handle at the least thing but then return and be utterly bewitching, or so said Henry Fonda in his biography. They were briefly married before they were stars and remained close for the rest of her life as did their children, Bridget Fonda is named after one of Sullavan's daughters who Peter Fonda was in love with before her suicide. Sadly suicide ran in that family, Maggie Sullavan killed herself at 50 when she feared her incipient deafness would end her career and beside Bridget her son Bill died from a self inflicted gun shot wound a few years ago. Her other daughter Brooke Hayward, who was briefly married to Dennis Hopper, wrote a book about how all the promise of their lives went so wrong called Haywire which became a best seller and a mini-series with Lee Remick playing Sullavan. Both the book and the show were fascinating in their sad way.
I think you'll really like Desk Set, it's the couple's second to last pairing and by this time they are so comfortable with each others rhythms they make the picture flow like honey.
I love that Wanted is a bonus pick! I haven't seen the first two, and I kind of hated You've Got Mail lol.
ReplyDeletelol yeah I know You've Got Mail isn't loved as widely as the other Hanks/Ryan movies. I think Wanted is so much fun, especially its first act.
DeletePicking three versions of the same film was brilliant. I didn't even know You've Got Mail was a remake.
ReplyDeleteThanks! TECHNICALLY, You've Got Mail isn't a remake, just another version of the same source material (Laszlo's original play). But if you watch it and Shop Around the Corner, the scene where they meet at the cafe is reproduced almost exactly in the later film.
DeleteOooh, Wanted, that's a pretty good one too!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen You've Got Mail from the three movies, and I also liked What Women Want, one of the Mel Gibson movies I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's weird - I don't particularly care for Mel Gibson (as an actor - personal issues aside), but I really, really enjoy What Women Want.
DeleteI love love Wanted. Especially some of the office scenes. I really enjoyed What Women Want as well. Did you know there's a Chinese remake of it ... I haven't it seen though.
ReplyDelete