★ 7 / 10
This starts with a rather downbeat description of
CinemaSerf
This starts with a rather downbeat description of life in the Grand Hotel where “…nothing ever happens”. Well maybe it is supposed to look like that, like the…
This starts with a rather downbeat description of life in the Grand Hotel where “…nothing ever happens”. Well maybe it is supposed to look like that, like the swan gliding effortlessly whilst it’s legs paddle like hell, but in reality it is a potpourri of the actually wealthy, the pretend wealthy, the aspirational, the petulant and one thoroughly decent old gent called “Kringelein”. He (Lionel Barrymore) has been given a terminal diagnosis by his doctor and so has decided to push the boat out and spend his remaining time, and money, enjoying caviar and champagne amongst those whom he hopes are a better class of individual. What he gets, though, is his erstwhile employer “Preysing” (Wallace Beery) who is up to no good with his investors; the charming “Baron” (John Barrymore) who hasn’t two pfennigs to rub together so has designs initially just on the pearls of dancer “Grusinskaya” (Greya Garbo) before falling hook line and sinker. Also, on the loved up front, is under appreciated secretary “Flaemmchen” (the charming Joan Crawford) who has taken a bit of a shine to the otherwise occupied “Baron” and then, just to top off this glittering array of profligacy and betrayal, we have the permanently sozzled “Dr. Otterschneig” (Lewis Stone). With the maître d’ expecting a baby; the cleaning staff unsure which rooms to clean or to avoid and card games proving make or break, it’s a maelstrom of activity and emotions that makes you realise exactly why Miss Garbo just wants to be alone! Director Edmund Goulding juggles the plates well here as his stars gel convincingly for almost two hours of gently simmering melodrama. In the end, will anyone get any fulfilment from their stay in this opulent Berlin facility? Aside from the engaging rapport between the two Barrymore brothers, Garbo hams up marvellously and as Stone stands beside that revolving door at the end, I wondered if it could all be about to happen again, only with different players. Which half dozen could equal these, though? Classy and stylish throughout, it’s a cleverly interwoven story that exposes humanity none too favourably sometimes, and is well worth two hours.
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★ 7 / 10
Grand Movie
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"Grand Hotel" begins in the lobby of the Grand Hotel in Berlin. It's hustle and bustle as staff and guests set about pleasing or being pleased. It takes some…
"Grand Hotel" begins in the lobby of the Grand Hotel in Berlin. It's hustle and bustle as staff and guests set about pleasing or being pleased. It takes some time to flesh out who is who and which are the main characters. Eventually we settle in to the lives of Baron Felix (John Barrymore), Grusinskaya (Greta Garbo), Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), Otto Kringelein (Lionel Barrymore), and Preysing (Wallace Beery).The Baron (John Barrymore) is at the Grand Hotel to steal some pearls from the famous dancer Grusinskaya (Garbo) in order to get out of debt. Grusinskaya is in Berlin for a performance. Preysing (Beery) is there to hash out a major merger between his company and another. Flaemmchen (Flem for short) (Crawford) is there as a stenographer for Preysing. And Kringelein (Lionel Barrymore) is there to live out the rest of his days in style as he recently found out that he's terminally ill.All of their stories intersect at this hotel with love, lust, merriment, treachery, and deceit. The Baron is the main character and is genuinely lovable. Everyone he meets falls in love with him or wants to befriend him which makes doing what he has to do difficult. The Baron has a conscience after all."Grand Hotel" has the style and atmosphere that makes it timeless. It could be made in any era and be just as relevant and enjoyable.2.49 on Amazon Prime.
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The only important comment is that YTS has done us a real favor in uploading "Grand Hotel." This is one of truly great films of the "Golden Age." Bottom line = 10/10. Lets simply enjoy this classic gem. Thank You YTS