This is the original film from 1940 that is the story that was the inspiration for the 1990's hit, You've Got Mail.

I did not enjoy the original nearly as much as the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan version. This is one of those cases where, to me, the old movie doesn't live up to its hype or build-up.

It's the story of a decent and hardworking man (James Stewart) who works in a leather goods shop in Budapest Hungary. He and a perky young co-worker (played by Margaret Sullavan) do not get along.

There is a back story with the big boss thinking his wife is unfaithful with one of his employees. He finds out the employee is not Stewart, but only after he fires him and has to hire him back.

Stewart's character has a mysterious pen-pal that he is in love with, but thinks he's never met. It turns out to be his hated co-worker, Clara. They send their mail to post office boxes, which is a cute idea.

It is a funny premise, but the whole Budapest setting was weird for me. Frank Morgan (The wizard in THe Wizard of Oz) was good as the big boss.

anyone who wants to see the movie that inspired You've Got Mail.

James Stewart and Frank Morgan. They are always good.

Margaret Sullavan. I could not see what the appeal was with her at all.

There is a more interesting back story to this. James Stewart's close friend was Henry Fonda. Margaret Sullavan was married to him, divorced him and ended up commiting suicide years later. One of Fonda's other wives (Jane Fonda's Mother) also committed suicide. There seems to have been some sort of rumor that Stewart was in love with Sullavan, though I saw no sign of it on screen. They had very little to no chemistry together.

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Created Jul 30, 2015 at 9:33am • Submit your own review...