Grand Hotel (1932)
Grand Hotel is a staple in old movie classics. Not only does it boast an all-star cast, but it’s the great-grandfather of the “slice of life” movies that have become enormously popular in recent decades. Since the film takes place entirely in the hotel, it’s easy to suck audiences into the plot. A group of disconnected characters check in, and by the time they check out, everyone been touched and changed by one another. It’s a plot that interesting to everyone, since it’s inoffensive and intriguing, and with a variety of characters, every audience member is guaranteed to root for someone.
Greta Garbo stars as a morose ballerina, and her faithful maid Rafaela Ottiano and manager Ferdinand Gottschalk try to get her to agree to another performance in Vienna. John Barrymore is a cat burglar who pretends to be a wealthy baron, and through an accidental meeting, he and Greta fall in love. Wallace Beery is a married businessman trying to get his secretary Joan Crawford to be his mistress. Lionel Barrymore is terminally ill and wants to experience happiness and luxury before he dies. Lewis Stone is a disfigured doctor, and Jean Hersholt is a policeman awaiting fatherhood.
Lionel Barrymore is easily the heart of the movie, since every time he’s on the screen, he has you reaching for your Kleenex box. He’s adorable and shy, yet expressive and generous, showing the perfect representation of a forgotten man trying to have an unforgettable weekend. The scenes he shares with his brother John are very sweet, but when he and Joan connect, get ready to bawl. I don’t normally like her, but she gives her finest performance in this movie. Wallace Beery, whom I also don’t normally like, is extremely creepy and seedy, which his character calls for. Greta Garbo is almost a caricature of herself, uttering her famous, “I want to be alone,” quote, but since her character is written that way, there’s nothing wrong with her performance.
This is a fantastic classic everyone should watch when starting their foray into 1930s dramas. It’s well crafted, well acted, and even though it’s pretty heavy, it still makes you feel wonderful when you watch it. Congratulations to the Oscars in a rare instance where the Best Picture winner is worthy of the title.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru, and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Joan Crawford movies here!
More Greta Garbo movies here!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Greta Garbo stars as a morose ballerina, and her faithful maid Rafaela Ottiano and manager Ferdinand Gottschalk try to get her to agree to another performance in Vienna. John Barrymore is a cat burglar who pretends to be a wealthy baron, and through an accidental meeting, he and Greta fall in love. Wallace Beery is a married businessman trying to get his secretary Joan Crawford to be his mistress. Lionel Barrymore is terminally ill and wants to experience happiness and luxury before he dies. Lewis Stone is a disfigured doctor, and Jean Hersholt is a policeman awaiting fatherhood.
Lionel Barrymore is easily the heart of the movie, since every time he’s on the screen, he has you reaching for your Kleenex box. He’s adorable and shy, yet expressive and generous, showing the perfect representation of a forgotten man trying to have an unforgettable weekend. The scenes he shares with his brother John are very sweet, but when he and Joan connect, get ready to bawl. I don’t normally like her, but she gives her finest performance in this movie. Wallace Beery, whom I also don’t normally like, is extremely creepy and seedy, which his character calls for. Greta Garbo is almost a caricature of herself, uttering her famous, “I want to be alone,” quote, but since her character is written that way, there’s nothing wrong with her performance.
This is a fantastic classic everyone should watch when starting their foray into 1930s dramas. It’s well crafted, well acted, and even though it’s pretty heavy, it still makes you feel wonderful when you watch it. Congratulations to the Oscars in a rare instance where the Best Picture winner is worthy of the title.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru, and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Joan Crawford movies here!
More Greta Garbo movies here!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1932
Best Director: Edmund Goulding
Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore
Best Actress: Joan Crawford
Best Picture of 1932
Best Director: Edmund Goulding
Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore
Best Actress: Joan Crawford