The Shopworn Angel (1938) User Reviews

Shopworn plot gets a lift from three charming leads...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 28 January 2011]

There's no doubt that THE SHOPWORN ANGEL uses a plot that has been used countless times in movies and books over the years. It's the story of a selfish actress (MARGARET SULLAVAN) suddenly succumbing to the country boy charm of a soldier (JAMES STEWART) who is about to be sent overseas in WWII. Meanwhile, she has her agent WALTER PIDGEON, whom she depends upon for emotional support and love. Surely, there is nothing new about the bare outline of the plot.

But what works in the story's favor is the simplicity and charm of the three leads. Sullavan is more radiant than usual as a glamorous actress rather than the drab little wren she usually played and she plays her part in a refreshing manner that is almost able to overcome the idea that she should suddenly turn so noble. Despite this flaw in the characterization, it's a very winning performance that she gives.

Likewise, JAMES STEWART does wonders with a thinly devised role of the country bumpkin who falls impetuously in love with an actress, even to the point of asking her to marry him before he goes overseas. At this point, the plot's outcome becomes telegraphed because we know this is a Margaret Sullavan film and tearful romantic dramas have been her specialty. Thus, the ending becomes a forgone conclusion.

WALTER PIDGEON is her kindly suitor who has the wisdom to make the best of a situation he's not exactly comfortable with. He anchors the story with his sensitive performance as the man who can always be depended on to give the heroine the emotional support she needs. He's also got an abundant sense of humor that the story needs.

It's a trifle of a film, but beautifully acted and given a lift by the winsome performances of its three leads, moving at a brisk pace to the Hollywood ending. HATTIE McDANIEL is her usual delightful self as Miss Sullvan's down-to-earth maid.

Simple, yet subtle. A minor classic.

[tsaro · 8/10 · 2 August 2003]

The Waldo Salt screenplay takes a small story and develops it into an affecting portrait of three surprisingly convincing and complex human characters, all of whom transcend the typical dramatic constraints of late '30s Hollywood. All three principals turn in excellent, low-key performances in perfect keeping with the film's narrative strengths. I find it particularly interesting to compare this with the other bookend to Salt's screenwriting career, Coming Home, also a character-driven story that revolves around the complex, three-way relationship between a woman and the two men who love her in a time of war.

Here's To Old Fashioned War Romance

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 25 August 2006]

James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan made four films together, the most she had with any leading man. In fact Stewart's career was given a considerable boost when Sullavan requested him in the lead of their first film, Next Time We Love. Sullavan had been married to Henry Fonda, Stewart fellow Princeton alumnus from the Triangle Club and Fonda and Stewart were a pair of starving New York actors back in the day.

The film is a sweet romantic story about a young soldier who quite accidentally comes between a Broadway actress and her playboy boyfriend. The story had been previously filmed at Paramount earlier during the last dying days of the silent screen with Gary Cooper, Nancy Carroll, and Paul Lukas in the roles that Stewart, Sullavan, and Walter Pidgeon play here.

Stewart is just perfect as the earnest young private from Texas who Sullavan while using Pidgeon's car as transportation, knocks down in a New York City street. One thing leads to another and Sullavan finds she's got two men on her hands. What to do.

As in all films in Hollywood of 1938 it all gets resolved in a poetic, but tragic way. The leads are cast quite perfectly. I'm surprised this film has not been made again. Hattie McDaniel is in this one also as Sullavan's maid of course. I doubt today though that there would be a Hattie McDaniel type role in it.

Simple but Stirring Story

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 13 October 2002]

What others might say is a lack of chemistry between Stewart and Sullavan in this charming picture, is what I call "acting".

People from widely different social circles react to situations differently. It is evident that the rich talents of these two actors contributed strongly to the feeling question of their compatibility.

That is the whole point of this story! The examination of things that sometimes happen during a war between unlikely pairings.

Without trying to reveal any of the story, I will say that one never felt as if Sullavan portrayed the complexity of her character without conviction, in fact, she did it admirably. She merely expressed it in the only way that a person of another "class" from Stewart's would. What I did find refreshing in Sullavan's character, although taken from the mold of a Broadway star, she displayed none of the expected snobbery which those parts normally include. It made her character all the more likeable.

Stories about romance during a war are filled with stories that sound fantastic - but may have very well occurred. This movie is no exception and I took that perspective into account as I watched the story unfold.

I would recommend this movie to any fan of James Stewart or Margaret Sullavan. They delivered their parts with originality and a lack of staleness which is normally associated with such simple stories.

"I'd rather eat bread than wait around for hot apple pie."

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 26 May 2014]

Shy young soldier James Stewart is picked on by his fellow soldiers for not being a ladies man. Jaded showgirl Margaret Sullavan agrees to help him out by pretending to be his girlfriend. He quickly falls in love with her for real but things are complicated by his having to ship out for the war and her already having a boyfriend (Walter Pidgeon).

The second of four movies pairing Stewart and Sullavan. Their chemistry is remarkable as always. This one doesn't turn out how you might think and I can easily see many viewers being disappointed. It builds up towards one thing but shifts gears 3/4 of the way through and becomes something else. I still enjoyed it, though.

sweet, dated melodrama

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 29 April 2006]

James Stewart is an appealing bumpkin whose homespun attitudes appeal to jaded Margaret Sullavan in "The Shopworn Angel," which also stars Walter Pidgeon and Hattie McDaniel.

Sullavan is a successful performer who is forced to give Stewart a ride when a policeman catches him trying to cross the street. Yeah, he's a private in training for World War I battle, and he's used to cattle but not cars back in Texas. He tells his army buddies that she's his girl, since he's never had one, and he appeals to her at the stage door of her show to play along for a few minutes. It goes from there, as she mothers him and is impressed by his ability to still have dreams. Meanwhile, her sophisticated boyfriend (Pidgeon) becomes jealous.

This is a sappy story but manages to be appealing because of the stars. The ending is telegraphed. It's not the best example of the work of Stewart, Sullavan (alone and together), or Mankiewicz but worth seeing as it's one of Stewart's early leads.

Pack Up Your Marriage in Your Old Kit Bag (and Smile, Smile, Smile!)

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 20 August 2010]

When the United States enters World War I, patriotic Texan Jimmy Stewart (as William "Bill" Pettigrew) is among those to sign up for service. In New York for basic training, Mr. Stewart is bowled over by showgirl Margaret Sullavan (as Daisy Heath), but she is promised to distinguished Walter Pidgeon (as Sam Bailey). With Mr. Pidgeon's okay, Ms. Sullavan shows young Stewart around the city, including the roller-coaster at Coney Island. They're supposed to be "just friends" but Stewart is falling in love…

This was a direct re-make of the 1928 silent/sound success starring Nancy Carroll and Gary Cooper, and there were dozens of films with this romantic wartime love triangle. Most of the time, the male characters had different outcomes. The story is strained in places and diluted from the original, but the picture is nicely produced and performed well. The Stewart/Sullavan chemistry is easy to appreciate. A new Broadway musical sensation known as Mary Martin provides Sullavan with a beautiful singing voice.

****** The Shopworn Angel (7/15/38) H.C. Potter ~ Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Walter Pidgeon, Hattie McDaniel

Pack up you old kit bag and smile, smile, smile

[jjnxn-1 · 9/10 · 20 August 2013]

Beautifully wrought picture with exquisite performances from the two leads. Margaret Sullavan was truly one of the most effective actresses of the golden age, able to wring the most genuine emotions out of any situation. The brevity of her filmography is really a shame. Much more comfortable on stage than film she was reportedly difficult to work with because of her discomfort with the medium but even with that delivered the goods once the camera started to turn. She and Jimmy made a great team since her slightly bruised fragility always blended so well with his gentle naiveté. The story is just a boy meets girl tale with a few twists but because of the stars as well as Walter Pidgeon, complicating matters but also being wise and warm, and the always amazing Hattie McDaniel, being her usual flip self it remains involving throughout. The ending is heartbreaking in its simplicity.

worth watching

[MauryMickelwhite · 7/10 · 20 February 2022]

This is a surprisingly touching movie. It presents the "marry the soldier who is shipping out to near certain death" story, which would play out in real life when the US entered WWII, but in this case, prior to that entry, with a soldier shipping out to France in 1917.

Stewart plays it simple, which works here. He is a sympathetic catalyst who somehow brings the true lovers together in a roundabout manner. Walter Pidgeon is really good here - maybe the best I've seen him - in that he avoids his more typical coolness for genuine vulnerability. The ending in telegraphed, but still sad in that way you love movies to be sad.

Well worth seeing...even if the little details aren't quite right...

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 9 September 2011]

I know I am going to sound really picky here, but the hairstyles and clothes are 1938--not WWI like the movie is supposed to be (other than uniforms). You'd think that MGM would pay attention to this detail, as it was THE top studio at the time. Yet, oddly, nearly everyone (especially the women) wear clothes that just would never have been worn in 1917--and hair to boot. And, when the folks were riding the roller coaster, they almost all had hats on--and none of them flew off! As a retired history teacher, I notice these things and felt the movie didn't try very hard to get these simple details right. So is the rest of the film worth seeing? Well, considering that it's got Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, what do you think?!

The film is a sweet romance. Stewart is a backward country boy who, unlike all his other friends in the army, does not have a girlfriend and is very awkward around women. So, to stop them from making fun of him, on an impulse, he pretends that an actress (Sullavan) is his girlfriend. Oddly, she feels sorry for him and agrees to the ruse. However, over time, this jaded lady comes to life when she's with Stewart and eventually they fall in love for real. Where it goes next, I won't say--but I was very surprised where the film went. Some may hate the surprise but I appreciated how the writer avoided the clichéd or simple ending.

Well worth seeing despite some poor attention to details. Exceptionally acted (it doesn't get much better) and a dynamite script. See this one.

Plot is disappointing

[ClaudetteColbertFan · 6/10 · 3 November 2018]

While the Stewart-Sullivan pairing doesn't quite live up to the chemistry they have in The Shop Around the Corner, this earlier film shows they had it even then. It's their acting talent that keeps this film from being a major letdown. Walter Pidgeon is also good in his role, for what it is. It's the plot that stinks. The two leads have SO much chemistry that it makes Sullavan's character Daisy Heath's relationship with Pidgeon's Sam Bailey not so realistic. She was supposed to have realized she was still more in love with Sam than ever but it just doesn't quite come across. What does leap off the screen is the chemistry between Bill Pettigrew (played by Stewart) and Daisy Heath..so yes, it's a letdown that Heath is not supposed to be in love with Bill when the plot builds up to it.

Most underrated movie from the 1930s

[InstaNetCo · 10/10 · 25 August 2022]

I am shocked to know this movie never got the attention it deserved and the rating is not very fair in my opinion.

It's all a matter of perspective, at the end I think she did love "the kid". You can tell at the last chapel scene that she was in pain seeing him Go.

You can tell how much pain she is right when the movie ends. The soldier (James Stewart) is genuine and kind hearted, made her a better person.

In a way I think she was lying to herself when she said it was just a wedding to make him happy. Again, this is just a matter of perspective but Their connection is undeniable.

Definitely a Different Time

[CaperGuy · 7/10 · 27 May 2006]

This movie is definitely a blast from the past. The way people reacted to war in the time of WWI is so much different from the way things are today. It seems like people cared so much more about soldiers then. I don't know any body who would want to get married now, go to war in Iraq or Afghanistan and leave a beautiful wife behind to "keep the home fires burning". Maybe in age of WWI, Americans were more unselfish. This movie is worth seeing if only to serve as a documentary of how times change. The plot is definitely far-fetched by today's standards.

The love story here is more about the love of country instead of love between people. This thought provoking film is expertly carried by James Stewart and Walter Pidgeon. Margaret Sullavan's performance is less impressive because her character is not as believable to me.

You've Got to Be Kind to Be Cruel

[JamesHitchcock · 4/10 · 8 June 2012]

In 1917, following America's entry into World War I, a young soldier named Bill Pettigrew meets Daisy Heath, a famous Broadway actress. In order to impress his army buddies, Bill pretends that Daisy is his girlfriend, even though they are only casual acquaintances. They do not believe him, and hoping to expose his deception take him to see the play in which Daisy is appearing so that he can introduce them at the stage door. To their discomfiture, however, Daisy decides to go along with Bill's story and pretends to be his girl. Bill and Daisy begin to spend more time together, and he falls deeply in love with her. There is, however, a complication in that Daisy already has a boyfriend, Sam, who becomes increasingly jealous of her friendship with Bill.

For most of its length, "The Shopworn Angel" resembles a romantic comedy, the sort with a storyline about two very different men in love with the same girl. I suspect that a few years later, following America's entry into World War II, it would have been made as such with Bill, the simple but patriotic young farm boy, returning from the war a hero to claim Daisy's hand ahead of the wealthy, cynical Sam. (Although Sam is of military age, he seems keen to avoid serving in the forces). In 1938, however, most Americans were keen to avoid involvement in the looming European conflict, and a film which took an overtly patriotic approach to war might not have done well at the box-office.

The mood of the film therefore changes abruptly at the end from one of romantic comedy to one of tear-jerking melodrama. Although Daisy is in love with Sam, she marries Bill immediately before his departure for France, in the belief that this will give him a brief period of happiness. Ah well, you've got to be kind to be cruel. Daisy and Sam never seem to have considered what might have happened if Bill had returned from the war alive. When he is killed, they both seem heartbroken, although my rather cynical thought was that his death was actually a rather convenient way out for them. "Broadway Star Greets Returning Hero with Divorce Papers" is not the sort of headline that would have done much for Daisy's career.

The fact that Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart made four films together in as many years suggests that someone obviously thought them a good screen couple. They were to be good in "The Shop Around the Corner" (I have never seen their other two films, "Next Time We Love" and "The Mortal Storm"), but here there is no chemistry between them at all. Sullavan's Daisy comes across as patently insincere, and Bill as a complete booby for believing that she could possibly be in love with him. (Bill, incidentally, is supposed to be from Texas, something stressed several times in the dialogue, but Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, makes no attempt at a Texan accent, sounding exactly the same as he does in all his other films). Stewart was actually a year older than Sullavan, and it might have been better had a younger actor been cast as Bill to emphasise the contrast between the naive young soldier and the more mature, worldly-wise actress.

Like another reviewer, I was struck by the lack of effort to give the film a period feel; the clothes and hairstyles are much more those of the 1930s than of the 1910s. These things changed more quickly in the early twentieth century that they do today; there would have been a much greater difference between the fashions of 1917 and 1938 than between those of 1991 and 2012.

I must admit that this film was largely a disappointment to me. James Stewart made some of his best films in the late thirties and early forties ("Mr Smith Goes to Washington", "Destry Rides Again", "The Philadelphia Story"), but "The Shopworn Angel" is not in the same class. Indeed, with its corny, sentimental story, its sub-standard acting and its abrupt change of mood near the end it must rate as the weakest of his films which I have seen. 4/10

Good Early Stewart

[GManfred · 19 August 2010]

This one aired on TCM the other day and was well worth seeing. Had heard about it but had never seen it. I thought it was a good example of Jimmy Stewart's work in earlier films before he became a big star.

But as much as I enjoy and admire Jimmy Stewart, I thought Margaret Sullavan took acting honors in this one. Showing depth and range, she went from cold and cynical to sensitive and caring - from a turn-off to someone to root for. I also thought the chemistry between the two was a plus.

Stories like this one have been done many times in the past - country bumpkin meets jaded big-city veteran - but this picture had a unique charm about it that makes movie-going so enjoyable and rewarding. I rated it a well-deserved seven.

The Shopworn Angel review

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 22 April 2020]

A miscast Jimmy Stewart is upstaged by co-stars Maureen Sullavan and Walter Pidgeon in this sincere comedy-drama, that pays only passing attention to period detail. Stewart's a soldier awaiting shipment to the front, Sullavan his jaded love interest. All fine parts, but it never runs as smoothly as it should.

Dated story but Feelings and Romance Timeless!

[nowlang · 8/10 · 25 August 2006]

This is a cute romantic gem where a young Texan Private soldier (James Stewart) is receiving his final training prior to shipping to WW1-torn Europe when he is almost run over by a wealthy New York socialite Daisy Heath (Margaret Sullavan). After kind of "playing either hard to get or annoyed", she realizes that he is going to war and probably won't come back. Her eternal fiancé Sam (Walter Pigeon) is a true gentleman in doing a good deed to give some hope to this poor condemned soldier. Daisy (who is very well educated in real life – Harvard) initially doing a kind act of the heart is slowly seduced by the simplicity and genuineness of this young cowboy's heart.

This story touched me deeply and I identified strongly to it. Margaret Sullavan is very articulate and so kind that she accepts to marry this young recruit because to him "she is a dream come true that may keep him alive during the years of hell that he will endure…" Years, Americans were very patriotic and draft/conscription was a fact of life for most young males. As a Veteran of three wars (Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq), I paid dearly for my own dreams of saving my country from the "commies" - I was raised in the late fifties. On one day of May 2003, on my 118th mission, my number came up; I woke up minutes later... disabled for life.

I witnessed war, I saw destruction, and I experienced fear not to say terror. I shared room with many dismembered service members, some did not make it, some died with me as their only companion. Most of the expectant men that could talk, told me about their loved ones, often a young woman they never had the courage to ask in marriage before leaving... As an officer, I wrote many notes to "loved ones" as I promised my troops. The times may have changed in America, may be too much for our own good but basic human needs do not... we still need the love, the hope, the dream (so nicely expressed by "Daisy" in "The Shopworn Angel") that someone special does care back home.

May God Bless America and brings justice to the evils that are eroding our country. Bring our troops back. And for the readers of my comments, please, for the memory of all the men/women that gave their lives for this country, treat our returning troops with respect and love. Thank you.

I LOVE Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart

[dzoppoli-58001 · 10/10 · 6 March 2018]

I give this a 10 because I love both of these actors, but I hate the story. Why would anyone put Stewart through all of this when Sullavan loves Pidgeon? This is terrible. I recently began looking for Margaret's films and since I love both of these actors, this was the next choice. I've already seen the magnificent Shop Around the Corner. This was unbelievable! Why would anyone write a story where Jimmy Stewart is taken advantage of? I know he loved Sullavan in real life, so I can see that coming through. Maybe I'm rambling, but this film has really affected me. This is the very first review I've ever given so you can imagine what it took to get me here. Anyway, I still LOVE MS and JS. Love live both of them in my heart.

If your not cryin' at the end of this you need to have your tear ducts looked into

[nomoons11 · 8/10 · 25 September 2011]

They picked 3 perfect leads for this gem of a melodrama/romance. I didn't know what to expect when I started this one but I'm sure glad I gave it a chance.

Walter Pigeon, Jimmy Stewart or Margaret Sullavan could not have done a better job with these roles. They are perfect all the way through. Mostly you see just 2 headliners in a cast and the rest are supporting but there are 3 great roles in this and they all lead to a great little film.

If your in the mood to feel good and have a good cry, you can't go wrong with this one. This one has an ending that'll leave you in tears. Don't wait to see this one....hurry up and get it!!!!!!

James Stewart sinks it

[A-No_1 · 5/10 · 17 April 2006]

James Stewart plays a naive hick soldier who falls for Margaret Sullavan and wants to marry her before going off to war. She is a selfish actress who undergoes a remarkable character transformation in his presence and, in a ridiculous plot turn, agrees to marry him, even though she is in love with Walter Pigeon (who's the best part of this movie) the whole time. It has something to do with keeping his spirit alive while he's off fighting. Or something like that. Stupid plot aside, the unsettling part of this is Stewart, who yet again plays a character so selfish and obsessive that he comes across as creepy and unappealing, despite (or perhaps because of)the outward singular innocence he's supposed to represent. His obsessiveness in Anthony Mann westerns and in movies like "Vertigo" were fascinating because his characters were supposed to be flawed and difficult. But in this movie and other early films like "Of Human Hearts" and "Come Live With Me" (the way he flips out in childish rage at Hedy Lamarr near the film's end, for example)I find him completely off-putting and have to remember his later films in order to remind myself that, yes, I actually do like him.

The kind they don't and can't make any more

[spencer-warren · 10/10 · 6 January 2012]

I first saw this gem, knowing nothing about it, over thirty years ago in the much missed Theater 80 St. Marks in the east Village in NYC. I remember how deeply the film moved me as vividly today as back then. This is the kind of modest, sweet and emotionally true - and superbly written, acted and directed - movie that is the glory of the Golden Age.

I cannot add to the perfect reviews above (especially the first few) except to reiterate their points about the emotional maturity and complexity of the picture. We feel the raw, physical nature of the relationship between Daisy and Sam - amazingly, with no nudity or the crudeness of films today.

May I add the highly accomplished direction of the unsung pro H.C.Potter. His direction of the final scene is masterly: heartbreaking, with no dialogue, thereby heightening the very emotional climax's impact on the viewer., One of the chief techniques which make those films so superior to the vulgar, self-indulgent excess of today.

It's the screenplay that's shopworn

[marcslope · 18 August 2003]

Even the great Margaret Sullavan can't make sense out of a character who starts out as a bossy, obnoxious, self-centered Broadway star, is humanized by hayseed soldier James Stewart by about the third reel, suddenly becomes a Nobly Suffering Heroine, still leads steady beau (and keeper) Walter Pidgeon on, and tries in every way to have her cake and eat it too. Later Sullavan and Stewart have a contest to see who can have the wettest eyes. It's a Borzage-like romance without the Borzage touch, and with cliches that must have been cliches even by 1938--the chorines trilling "Pack Up Your Troubles" as the World War 1 soldiers depart for France (and Sullavan's incongruous dubbing is unintentionally hilarious), the lovestruck private dreaming of his ladylove while peeling potatoes, the bombs-bursting-in-air war montages with ominous music. Amid such blarney it's a relief to have Pidgeon's unsentimental if slightly inert presence, and Hattie McDaniel as a maid who seems smarter and more commonsensical than anyone else in the movie.

Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag!

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 21 August 2004]

This is a great Classic film with great actors like James Stewart,(Pvt. William Pettigrew),"The F.B.I. Story",'59,who was very young in this picture and played a love sick soldier going to fight in WW1. Pvt. Pettigrew met Margaret Sullivan,(Daisy Heath),"The Mortal Storm",'40, a show gal who had a kind heart and some what fell in love with him even though she liked Walter Pidgeon(Sam Bailey),"The Bad & the Beautiful",'52, Sam stood by and watched the young couple go dating and enjoying themselves in Luna Park, Coney Island, N.Y. Amusement Park. Hattie McDaniel (Martha, Daisy's Maid),"Gone With the Wind",'39, who had a brief supporting role, gave a great performance and a few laughs. There was a musical scene during the film where Margaret Sullivan sings and dances to an audience of soldiers and sang,"Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag & Smile Smile Smile",which was an old time song sung during WWI. If you like an old Classic Film from 1938, and loved James Stewart when he was very young, this is the film for you!

Enjoyable movie starring James Stewart and Maureen O' Sullivan

[jordondave-28085 · 8/10 · 19 September 2023]

(1938) Shopworn Angel ROMANTIC DRAMA/ WAR

Second retelling of the story written by Dana Burnet for the "Saturday Evening Post", with the first version already released in 1928 starring Gary Cooper and Nancy Carroll! Resonating story involves wealthy ignorant (about the war) stage actress Daisy Heath played by Margaret O' Sullivan accidentally meeting Pvt. William 'Texas' Pettigrew (James Stewart) and as she hangs around with him- her whole demeanor starts to change with a more appreciation for life! Although, the story was originally made during WWI- this film can just be as relevant to WWII. To fully appreciate this film, one has to first be aware about it's year which was in 1938, one year before WWII started which was in September 1939 and is very self explainable. This is also the second of four movies James Stewart starred with actress Margaret O' Sullivan.

Is this supposed to be Romantic?

[donwc1996 · 1/10 · 9 February 2018]

I can't believe that I just sat thru this film. James Stewart came off as so naive and really creepy. Margaret Sullivan played him along after she found out she could/t get rid of him. She should have told him right at the top that she was in love with Walter Pidgeon But, no, she didn't " realize" that Stewart was in love with her. The ending was real bad--so convenient for Stewart to die in battle. HELP!