Opened: January 12, 1940

Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch

Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Sara Haden, Felix Bressart, William Tracy, Inez Courtney, Charles Halton, Charles Smith, Sarah Edwards, Edwin Maxwell, Charles Arnt, Mabel Colcord & Grace Hayle

This story is timeless and its basis – Miklós László’s 1937 play Parfumerie – has inspired many adaptations, but there’s nothing quite like Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart.

Klara Novak (Sullavan) gets a job at job at Matuschek and Company where Alfred Kralik (Stewart) is the top salesman. The two are constantly feuding with each other while not realizing they’re each other’s pen pal they’re falling in love with.

The film transports you to the days before technology where falling in love meant not knowing every single thing about a person from the start. You find out pretty early on about the love letter situation and you’ll keep wondering will they or won’t they?

Supporting characters like Ferencz Vadas (Joseph Schildkraut) and Pepi Katona (William Tracy) are also fun to watch with interesting side plots.

Final say: Love is in the air. ★★★★☆