Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A Masterpiece!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Back in the early 1930's, the big Hollywood studios were most comfortable allotting just one major star to their productions, or maybe two if the feature was particularly romance-focused. This was still the early days of the 'talkie' era, and directors were too busy exploring new ways to exploit this wonderful new technological advancement to focus their attention on much else. Studios preferred to have a large roster of A-list talent under contract, leading men and women whose name alone on the post could attract a crowd. But one day, MGM producer Irving Thalberg had the bright idea to lump them all together into one massive superstar extravaganza. Adapted by William A. Drake from his own play (which was based on Vicki Baum's novel Menschen im Hotel), Grand Hotel went on to inspire the ensemble movies of Robert Altman and Paul Thomas Anderson, as well as the A-list smorgasbords of Garry Marshall's holiday-themed dreck.The magnificence of Berlin's Grand Hotel attracts all kinds of people, each with their own story to tell. Baron Felix von Geigern (John Barrymore) has squandered his vast fortune and spends his time trying to recuperate his losses playing card games and stealing jewels. He has his eyes set on a pearl necklace owned by depressed Russian ballerina Grusinskya (Greta Garbo), but he is enough of a decent chap to befriend Otto (Lionel Barrymore), a dying accountant who decides to live life to the fullest before his time runs out. Otto's arrogant boss Preysing (Wallace Beery) is also staying at the hotel, fretting to his new stenographer Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford) over an important business deal that appears to be heading south. While attempting to swipe the valuable necklace, Felix finds himself in love with the sad dancer and unable to go through with the heist. With money to re-pay and a late-night train to catch, will fate and the events at the Grand Hotel allow them to be together?Winner of Best Picture at the 1932 Academy Awards (despite failing to receive a nomination in any category) and now entered into the U.S. National Film Registry, Grand Hotel's reputation and influence may flatter the actual film somewhat. This is pure Hollywood fluff, laying the foundation for a formula still employed today. Yet Edmund Goulding's film is also witty and well-performed by a cast of recognisable faces, particularly the two Barrymores and Garbo: The latter's immortal line "I want to be alone," became a famous metaphor for the actress's personal life. William H. Daniel's cinematography refuses to remain static like many features of the 30's, using the impressive set to its maximum potential and establishing the luxurious building as a character itself as it influences its inhabitants' lives and decisions. It's no year's best picture, but its fascinating to watch the groundwork being laid for a formula that would go on to inspire as much greatness as it would drudgery.

Experimental Extravagance from a Studio that was Most Noted for the Latter and Not the Former, MGM Found Great Financial Success Despite Conventional Wisdom to the Contrary. That is, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket.", to be Flip.The Film Features Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, and Wallace Berry. All Are Given Approximately Equal Screen Time to Satisfy Egos and Fan Anticipation. Garbo's Performance, While Seen as Over the Top and Embarrassing Today, was Met with Rave Reviews from the Major Press At the Time.The Rest of the Cast are All Professionally Competent with Joan Crawford Frequently Pointed Out as Stealing the Show, or At Least Almost. Taste Will Determine Your Favorite and Your Foil. Aside from Acting, the Story is Melodramatic and Soap Opera Ish, the Sound and Camera Work are Above Average for the Time, and the Production Design is Art Deco Glorious. Some of the Characters and Situations are Dated as is Some of the Dialog. But as an Early Sound Hollywood Artifact it Stands as an MGM Statement that Bigger is Better, and it is the Studio Saying in No Uncertain Terms (when it was not that certain), "We are the King of the Hollywood Jungle!".

Garbo. Barrymore. Crawford. The starpower of this cast should be enough to guarantee a celluloid success. But it's the script that makes this film one of the best of its time or any time.The Grand Hotel is the setting and it can be seen to represent many things, but primarily it represents life. The lobby and common areas are representative of public life with its social pretensions and conventions. The private rooms are, of course, the private lives.In the course of one day, we glimpse various lives that are hanging in the balance and changed forever. At least in human terms. In objective terms, nothing much ever changes and the script plays out day after day, with minor revisions, regardless of the players.The acting in this film is wonderful. Yes, Garbo might overdramatize even the smallest gesture, but what else should we expect from her? And besides, she is playing the part of a prima ballerina who thrives on attention from her public. If one reads the trivia notes in IMDb for this film, where the petty concerns and rivalries of the major players are detailed, it adds another dimension to viewing "Grand Hotel". These actors were not so different from their characters--so involved with the slightest social slight.The story is a universal one that has been told many times since, but "Grand Hotel" may have told it best.

A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.Alfred Rushford Greason of Variety said the film "may not entirely please the theatregoers who were fascinated by its deft stage direction and restrained acting, but it will attract and hold the wider public to which it is now addressed." He added, "The drama unfolds with a speed that never loses its grip, even for the extreme length of nearly two hours, and there is a captivating pattern of unexpected comedy that runs through it all, always fresh and always pat." That just about sums it up, does it not? The 2004 DVD is decent, with some nice special features including a documentary and a short spoof. The only thing missing is an audio commentary, and who knows... maybe it will show up eventually.