Golden Era Films: 1938’s ‘The Shopworn Angel': A Love Story During the Great War

It’s probably safe to say that more movies have been made about World War II than any other military conflict, many produced during the war itself. However, before the 1940s, the First World War provided a dramatic background for many war movies made in the 1920s and ‘30s.

“The Shopworn Angel” (1938) is a poignant, heartwarming love story set during World War I. This movie stars James Stewart and his good friend Margaret Sullavan, in the second of their four film pairings, with a young Walter Pidgeon to complete the love triangle.

Helping a Soldier

Daisy Heath (Sullavan) is a cynical singing star in New York City. She’s more concerned about getting over a hangover than about the United States joining the war effort. She only keeps people in her life who can satisfy her needs; namely, her wealthy sweetheart Sam Bailey (Pidgeon) and her devoted maid, Martha (Hattie McDaniel).