The Shop Around the Corner for Christmas

[Phillyrich]

I have developed a fondness for "The Shop Around The Corner" at Christmastime. It's a beautifully written and acted film, with a special chemistry between Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart. I have come to appreciate too, the delicacy and chaste qualities of the romance--as a sort of an antidote to the in-your-face sexuality and smugness of most modern filmmaking. Maybe its a function of myself growing older. The last ten minutes of this film...raise goosebumps.

I find this same wonderful "restrained" quality now in "The Bishop's Wife." My more youthful expectations were dashed as the angel played by Cary Grant-- lacked the sparkle and supernatural powers I associated with those roles. Now I see the wisdom in the script, and in his low-key performance. A special film with a spirituality that slowly warms the viewer.

Anybody have any related thoughts, or your own special, and perhaps neglected film at Christmas?

Let me put in a plug here for Bob Fells and his latest post at Old Hollywood In Color. Great golden age Christmas music with Caruso, Martinelli, and even Judy & Mickey, and Jack Benny on the radio.