The first remake of the adorable love story The Shop Around the Corner was made into a musical with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. It's a much lighter film than the 1940 version, with S.Z Sakall as the amiable shop owner, replacing Frank Morgan's dark, depressive role in the original. As far as remakes go, I like the modern You've Got Mail better. The 1949 version, while skipping the serious realism in the dramatic elements, also misses most of the story's charm as it turns into a mediocre 1940s musical for Judy Garland.Judy and Van don't get off to a very good start, and while they spend the entire movie bickering with each other at work, after-hours they're unknowingly involved with each other through letters. Will the two paths ever cross? It's a very cute story, but with Judy's pouting and signature "Dorothy Gale" temper and Van's conceit, neither lead is really likable. And while in the original, James Stewart and Felix Bressart have darling interactions about his pen-pal relationship, Van and Clinton Sundberg make their scenes fall flat. Buster Keaton is included in the supporting cast, but I can never get enough of him, so the few scenes he has aren't really enough. Why couldn't he have had Clinton's part?The famous song "I Don't Care" holds a special place in my heart. My older brother-and older brothers aren't normally known for their awareness of Judy Garland movies-actually remembers this song from when I compiled a Judy Garland film montage in high school. To him, Judy's most famous moment in screen history is waving her arounds around in a red dress singing "I Don't Care". So, when you watch that song, think of my brother!

While not as good as the wonderful (non-musical) 'The Shop Around the Corner' (one of the great Ernst Lubitsch's greatest gems) and some may question the point of it, as far as "remakes" go 'In the Good Old Summertime' doesn't fare shabbily at all and holds up well on its own too.'In the Good Old Summertime' is dragged down a little by the violin subplot, an additional subplot to a film that is otherwise reasonably faithful in basic details to 'The Shop Around the Corner', which didn't really add very much and distracted at times from the main romance. While Marcia Van Dyke is a very skilled violinist, those skills do not translate in her acting which is very bland.The title is also an odd one, a very appetising and catchy title but irrelevant to the story seeing as it's more winter than summer, which will mislead (and has done) people.However, 'In the Good Old Summertime' is beautifully filmed and lavishly produced, and Robert Z Leonard directs with an energetic lightness but also a maturity. The songs have been criticised for not being particularly memorable. While not timeless standards all of them are lovely and have a real liveliness and genuine emotion, especially "Merry Christmas" and "I Don't Care", both performed by Judy Garland. All of them are gracefully and energetically staged.Scripting is witty and sophisticated and while the story is not as emotionally layered as 'The Shop Around the Corner' it is nonetheless always interesting and immensely charming.Apart from Van Dyke, the cast are all strong. Judy Garland is just wonderful and in sublime voice (then again, who couldn't expect any less?) and Van Johnson gives one of his most comfortable and engaging performances of any of his musical endeavours. He and Garland have a spirited and heartfelt chemistry.Spring Byington and SZ Sakall are humorous and very likable scene-stealers without overdoing it, and while Buster Keaton is well past prime and has little to do he makes the most of what he is and his pratfall is both funny and elegant.In conclusion, a very charming musical with an enormous amount to like. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Great cast but there wasn't the chemistry or magic of the movie it's based on, The Shop Around The Corner. And somehow, though each of the stars had shone brightly in other movies, they somehow seem uncomfortable in this one and are not seen at their best. It's hard remaking a great film and while they stole some of the lines directly from the first movie, they chose to diverge from the original in ways that watered down the story's effect. Somehow you don't care as much about any of these characters as much as you cared about all of the characters in the original - short of Vadas (whose character is not represented in this film as some others from the original are). Suffers, too, from its being made into a musical - too much the typical Judy Garland film where music doesn't always have a reason to be in a scene...it's just done to play to Judy's talents - not always a good move for a movie's integrity. Here, the plot gets lost in the stereotypical scenes where Judy is supposed to show off her talents. Judy Garland fans will enjoy this film, however, because here she seems truly happy and is at the peak of her singing talents. Perhaps if I weren't such a big fan of the original, I'd have liked this more. But, sorry, I found it a bit boring in comparison.

Plot: Pen pals fall in love on paper and (unwittingly) battle each other at work, with music! Drive-in Rating: Pull over and watch! Absolutely enjoyable and mostly faithful to the original of 1940, now located in Chicago and with the added perk of Judy Garland in song (and dance). For the modern viewer, this may be an easier transition to the original plot than the black and white original, "The Shop Around the Corner." Also recommend considering which star is a bigger draw for you (Judy or Jimmy Stewart). If you've enjoyed "Meet Me in St. Louis," odds are you'll enjoy this, though Meet Me… is far more acclaimed. This version gives you the added benefit of silent movie great Buster Keaton (yes, he talks) and dashing all-American leading man Van Johnson.