Stewart's third film release of 1938, the First World War drama "The Shopworn Angel", saw him collaborate again with Margaret Sullavan. In his performance, Stewart drew upon his own feelings of unrequited love towards Sullavan, who was married to his agent, Leland Hayward. Although the film was otherwise well-received, critics were mixed about Stewart. Bland Johaneson of the "New York Daily Mirror" compared him to Stan Laurel in this melodramatic film and "Variety" called his performance unfocused. Irene Thier of "The New York Post" wrote that his role was "just another proof that this young man is one of the finest actors of the screen's young roster."