In this film's opening scenes, the cynical and disfigured Dr. Otternschlag (Lewis Stone) is heard to remark, "The Grand Hotel. Always the same. People come--people go, nothing ever happens.". This statement is not altogether true. A great deal happens at Berlin's Grand Hotel and all of it is entertaining. Filmed soon after the end of the silent film era, Grand Hotel was one of the first Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movies to feature an all-star cast. The studio put the finest and most popular talent at its disposal into this movie with spectacular results.

The cast includes Greta Garbo, both John and Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery and Joan Crawford. The action in Grand Hotel shows how the paths of five hotel guests cross and how their lives are effected. The main character is Grusinskaya, world-weary ballerina, played by the beautiful Greta Garbo. Garbo's performance is masterful, even if a bit melodramatic by today's standards. It is in this movie that Garbo utters her famous "I want to be alone.". The photography of Garbo's timeless face is spectacular, with the camera making artful use of shadow and light.

John Barrymore stars as Baron Feliz von Geigern, cultured yet penniless hotel thief, driven by gambling debts. The Baron is involved in a love triangle which is brought to abrupt end in an interesting plot twist.

Lionel Barrymore plays Otto Kringelein, terminally ill bookkeeper who has never known any real excitement in life and who is determined to do so before he dies.

Wallace Beery portrays General Director Preysing, the bullying and ruthless industrialist boss of Kringelein. A very youthful Joan Crawford is Preysing's stenographer, Flaemmchen, who is also the object of Preysing's illicit intentions.

Intent upon stealing an expensive set of pearls belonging to Grusinskaya, the Baron enters her suite while she is gone. Although he is not a thief at heart, the people he owes money have threatened his life, making it imperative that he steal the jewels. After he finds the pearls, he is unable to get out of the ballerina's suite before she returns and so hides behind a curtain. When she enters, her depression overcomes her and she decides to end her life. He explains his presence and thwarts her suicide attempt by telling her how he worships and loves her. He remains in her room all night and they fall in love. This part of the plot was very controversial in 1932 since the sexual act was implied. The scene was almost edited out by censors.

Perhaps the best performance in this movie is the one by Lionel Barrymore. His portrayal of the ill, pitiable Kringelein is classic. Barrymore takes Kringelein from a sad, tentative little man to a more adventurous character who shows unexpected courage. Even though he knows that death awaits him, another twist of fate gives Kringelein a new zest for life.

Wallace Beery is perfect in his role as Preysing, the ruthless businessman. The interaction between Preysing and Klingelein is an interesting one as Preysing finds that money cannot buy everything. Joan Crawford also gives a great performance as the stenographer who will do almost anything to get ahead. She is torn Preysing's offer of advancement in exchange for her being "nice to him". Her fate, as the others, changes dramatically while a guest at the Grand Hotel. It is interesting to see such a youthful Joan Crawford play such a subdued and rather passive character.

Winner of the 1932 award for Best Picture, Grand Hotel is a multi-faceted film. It contains suspense, murder, a love triangle, tragedy and comedy. The camera shots of the luxurious hotel lobby are excellent, displaying the opulence of the hotel as well as the comings and goings of the many guests. I would recommend seeing this film for anyone who loves classic movies.




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS