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Genres
Romance , Comedy , Music & Musical
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Cast
Synopsis
In this musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner, feuding co-workers in a small music shop do not realize they are secret romantic pen pals.
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- 1949
- 1 hr 42 mins
- Music, Comedy
- NR
- Watchlist
Two clerks in a turn-of-the-20th-century Chicago sheet-music store are intensely antagonistic toward each other, but unbeknownst to the two, they actually are getting very chummy as pen pals. A musical remake of "The Shop Around the Corner," in which the setting was changed from a Budapest sundries shop.
Released by MGM in 1949, and directed by Robert Z Leonard, In The Good Old Summertime is a musical remake of the 1940 film, The Shop Around The Corner, which starred James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. Although I liked the original film, In The Good Old Summertime takes on a life of its own.
The story in this version takes place in Chicago IL. at the turn of the century, and is centered around OBerkugen's Music Store, primarily around Christmas time. That is why the title is misleading.
Judy Garland plays Veronica Fisher, a young woman who has fallen in love with a man she corresponds to through the mail. What she doesn't know is that her pen pal is her co worker, Andrew Larkin (Van Johnson), a cocky young saleman,whom she despises. In fact, they spend so much time sparring with each other that after awhile, you begin to wonder how on earth could these two people, who are always getting on each other's nerves, ever have a romantic relationship, let alone fall madly in love with each other...Only in Hollywood
But the movie does redeem itself on many levels. The setting of a music store is the perfect excuse for us to hear Garland stretch those glorious vocal chords of her's, and the characters within the music store are also unforgettable. The supporting cast is superb, with some of the best character actors that MGM had on its roster at the time. Hungarian actor S. K. Sakall, plays Mr Otto Oberkugen, the store's portly and stubborn owner who is engaged to marry his long time lady friend, Nellie Burke (Spring Byington). Silent film comedy legend, Buster Keaton, plays Mr Oberkugen's inept and brow beaten nephew, Mr Hickey, and veteran MGM character actor, Clinton Sundberg, plays Rudy Hanson, who is Andrew Larkin's best friend and voice of reason. Then there is Marcia Van Dyke, who plays Louise Parkson. She's very pretty, and a very talented violinist, but definitely not a convincing actress.
Like Easter Parade, and Meet Me In St Louis, In The Good Old Summertime is a visual treat for the eyes, with colorful sets and period costumes. The songs are great too, and Garland is at the top of her form, even though her life at this point,was in turmoil. She looks absolutely beautiful. The final scene in the film between Garland and Van Johnson was daringly seductive for the year 1949, and is very memorable indeed. Unfortunately, after this film, Judy Garland's health and career would continue their downward spiral. After completing Summer Stock the following year, at age 28, her career at MGM would be over. This is also the last film for Buster Keaton at MGM, a studio he had been with since 1928. In fact, he was originally brought on board just for consultation purposes, but he was eventually offered a part because no one else could properly execute a crucial pratfall that was needed toward the end of the movie.
In the end, some people will like it, and some people won't. But its a pleasant way to pass by a couple of hours. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes MGM musicals, is a Judy Garland fan, a Van Johnson fan, or a Buster Keaton fan.
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4 / 5 stars
Released Year: 1949
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Cast & Crew
- Director
- Veronica Fisher
- Andrew Delby Larkin/Narrator
- Otto Oberkugen (as S.Z. 'Cuddles' Sakall)
- Nellie Burke
- Rudy Hansen
- Hickey
- Producer