In the Good Old Summertime (1948). Photofest.
(Robert Z. Leonard, US 1949, 102 min., 35mm)
The Shop Around the Corner gets a musical update with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. In early twentieth century Chicago, Veronica Fisher (Garland) literally runs into Andrew Delby Larkin (Johnson) at the post office, with Andrew destroying Veronica’s outfit. Later, as Veronica enters the music shop where Andrew works seeking a job, he resists, but is overruled by the owner when Veronica easily sells an expensive harp. The two continue to irritate each other never realizing that they are each other’s amorous, anonymous pen pals. The film is filled with music from the first decade of the century (“Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland,” “I Don’t Care”) and Buster Keaton adds his brand of elevated slapstick to a supporting role as the owner’s nephew.