Mr. Matuschek runs a leather goods and novelty shop in Budapest, and he is suspicious of his staff. His clerk Alfred Kralik and the newcomer Klara Novak bicker constantly while the shop prepares for a busy holiday season. Alfred has been writing anonymous letters to a woman he has never met, and he dreads the evening he is due to meet her. Mr. Matuschek grows short-tempered as his employees ask for time off, and his private worries begin to surface. This is the Lux Radio Theatre's 1941 adaptation of The Shop Around the Corner, first broadcast on June 23, 1941, with Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche in the leading roles.
Characters: Mr. Matuschek, Alfred Kralik, Klara Novak, Mr. Peters, Mr. Harvey, Miss Baker, Lily
The transcript of “The Shop Around the Corner”, an episode of Lux Radio Theatre first broadcast June 23, 1941. Press a time to play from that line (a 60-second preview; Potato Plus plays it all). Lux Radio Theatre plays Lux Radio Theatre free, live around the clock. Search inside this transcript.
Transcript
Lux presents Hollywood. The Lux Radio Theatre brings you Claudette Colbert and Donamichi in the shop around the corner. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen.
In the summer, your producer's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of Donamichi and Claudette Colbert. Summer arrived officially day before yesterday at 11.34am, so we've got Claudette and Don right here tonight. Since they were also right here last year about this time, I suggest we consider them a sign of the season, like the ball game on the corner lot or the first picnic.
You'll hear these two stars in the shop around the corner, adapted from the Metro Golden Mayor picture success. The play has an air of goodwill to it, a gay mood of laughter and romance that few motion pictures have matched.
It's a story of a little group of people who work together in a certain little shop around the corner. a kind of world in itself, whether it's a share of good and bad luck for everyone.
Usually, of course, the shop around any corner is where you get luck's flakes. But we had a letter the other day from a woman who didn't take any chances on finding it that close. She was going to Liberia, West Africa. So she prudently took some along.
And it pretty nearly got to the reputation of being a witch doctor. A few weeks ago, she writes, I decided to have a bedspread washed, so I took it and the box of locks to the native washman.
When he saw me put the lux flakes in the water and just switched them around, you should have seen his face. Then I put a few flakes on his hand and then a little water and told him to rub his hands.
…
United Service Organizations, the youth civilian army behind our army and Navy, are conducting a drive that should have the backing of every loyal American. There is a USO headquarters in your community. They'll be glad to tell you how you can help in this great work.
Claudette Colbert will soon be seen in the Paramount Pictures Skylock. Donamichi has just finished making the Paramount Picture, kiss the boys goodbye. Philip's press art will soon be seen in the Metro Golden Mayor Picture, blossoms in the dust.
The part of Mattercheck was played tonight by Leo Cleary. Also included in tonight's play were Fred MacKay as Harvey and Tobin as Lily, the Benadarit as Miss Baker, Charles Peck as Joey, Ferna Tholten as Shopper, and Lou Merrill, Arthur Cubrian, Ferdinand Munier, Jesse Arnold and Bruce Payne.
Our music is directed by Lewis Silvers, and your announcer has been Melville Roeck. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.
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