A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 1 nomination total
Robert McWade
- Meierheim
- (as Robert Mc Wade)
Purnell Pratt
- Zinnowitz
- (as Purnell B. Pratt)
Joan Barclay
- Young Girl in Lobby
- (uncredited)
Max Barwyn
- Hotel Guest
- (uncredited)
- …
Best Picture Winners by Year
Best Picture Winners by Year
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Barrymore was so thrilled at the prospect of appearing in the film with Greta Garbo that he accepted a three-picture deal with MGM.
- GoofsAlthough correctly signed with license plates starting with an "I" for Berlin, all the cars are right-hand steered. In Germany they drive on the right (and ever did so), so the steering wheels should be on the left.
- Quotes
Dr. Otternschlag: Grand Hotel... always the same. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
- SoundtracksSoldier on the Shelf
(uncredited)
Music by Sherman Myers (i.e. Montague Ewing
Lyrics by Erell Reaves (i.e. Stanley Damerell and Robert Hargreaves)
Featured review
A Grand Classic!
More than 70 years later and it stood the test of time. Edmund Goulding directs the movie which starts at a slower pace but towards as things proceed, pace picks up. Greta Garbo was definitely the star of the time but here she's quite a drama queen. It's Joan Crawford who gives the best performance (and has a more fleshed out role than Garbo). The actress indeed has a stronger presence than Garbo and she's simply terrific. Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore are equally impressive. Lionel is particularly good in balancing his characters tragedy and comedy. The supporting cast is adequate.
The cinematography is amazing as it gives us a marvelous glare of the grandness of the Grand Hotel, the overhead shot of the operators who're connecting the incoming calls, and then focussing on the different characters who're all either desperate for money, happiness or nothing (as they are satisfied with what they have e.g. the head hotel clerk). Everyone is shown to be busy with their own individual life and this is further stressed on in the final scene.
In addition to that, the set designs are spectacular reflecting the indifferent atmosphere and the beauty of the hotel. The reference to the War is also put in a very subtle way (as the film was made in the 30s) through the Baron's story and the scar on the doctor's face. Some might be bored in the beginning (due to the slow pace) but just bear with it, the film does get better and one will indeed understand why it stood the test of time. A grand classic it is indeed!
The cinematography is amazing as it gives us a marvelous glare of the grandness of the Grand Hotel, the overhead shot of the operators who're connecting the incoming calls, and then focussing on the different characters who're all either desperate for money, happiness or nothing (as they are satisfied with what they have e.g. the head hotel clerk). Everyone is shown to be busy with their own individual life and this is further stressed on in the final scene.
In addition to that, the set designs are spectacular reflecting the indifferent atmosphere and the beauty of the hotel. The reference to the War is also put in a very subtle way (as the film was made in the 30s) through the Baron's story and the scar on the doctor's face. Some might be bored in the beginning (due to the slow pace) but just bear with it, the film does get better and one will indeed understand why it stood the test of time. A grand classic it is indeed!
- Chrysanthepop
- Dec 23, 2007
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $700,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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