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Rating: 4 out of 5
What is the grandest hotel in the entire world? Many in the hotel industry will say that the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is the world’s most lavish hotel. It has been described as the world’s first “seven-star hotel” or “the most luxurious hotel in the world” since opening its doors in 1999. You should check it out online sometime because that shit is unreal with how grand it is. One day when I hit the lottery, I might be able to stay there for like 30 seconds and then have to bounce. If that one is too far away and you want to stay in the states, how about the Palms in bright light Las Vegas? I don’t know if the Palms is still as iconic, and since it’s not on the Strip brings it down, but anything in Vegas is okay with me. I would love to stay at the Palms. Make me feel special about myself.
I bring this up because I just watched the 1932 movie Grand Hotel and was pleasantly entertained by the film. It is like the OG of the Grand Budapest Hotel if you need somewhat of a reference. The film is set in Berlin’s plushest, most expensive hotel. The film explores the 24 hours of several guests staying at the hotel. Doctor Otternschlag (Stone) is a disfigured veteran of World War I and a permanent resident of the Grand Hotel in Berlin. Then we have Baron Felix von Gaigern (Barrymore), who squandered his fortune and supports himself as a card player and occasional jewel thief. Then there is the sweet but dying accountant Otto Kringelein (Barrymore), who has decided to spend his remaining days in the lap of luxury. We also see industrialist General Director Preysing (Beery) at the hotel to close a critical deal and decides to hire the beautiful stenographer Flaemmchen (Crawford) to assist in his deal. Flaemmchen aspires to become an actress. The final important guest is Russian ballerina Grusinskaya (Garbo), whose career is declining. Each guest interacts with another in some way or fashion until tragedy hits, leaving the hotel rattled for only a split second.
I think the best way to describe this film is from the words of Dr. Otternschlag, who states in the beginning and ending of the film, “People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.” How wrong were those words. Based on this movie and almost any hotel, something is always going on in a hotel. The storyline showed that many things happen, and many different character storylines intersect with each other. It is actually pretty interesting seeing all the cast interact with each other and how a small moment can change everything.
The focus of the whole movie lies with Baron Felix von Gaigern and Otto Kringelein. Through these two characters, most of the interaction happens for everyone. Felix is in debt and owes some major funds, and he either plays cards or steals it. Otto has worked himself to the bone and believes he was dying, so she wanted one last hoorah before going to the great beyond. Like an elaborate spiderweb. Felix meets ballerina Grusinskaya who he falls in love with and decides against stealing, but also Flaemmchen doesn’t like her boss Preysing. Otto also hates Preysing and dances with Flammchen during the night. Almost all the men in the movie play cards one night. Everything comes ahead one night before everyone leaves.
The fascination with this film is that it happens every single day. We all have stayed in a hotel and walked past other guests and have no idea who they are, why they are their and what they are up to. Some are around for pleasure and fun. Some stay for business. I recently stayed at a hotel, and you people-watch during breakfast or at the bar because many people are moving from staff to guests. What a fascinating little world a hotel must be.
As far as the cast goes, I cant just zero in on one of them. Everyone played their part and made this film enjoyable to watch. Greta Garbo as Grusinskaya was as beautiful as ever and played her role as a lovesick woman who becomes heartbroken. Homegirl just wants to be left alone. Lionel Barrymore played Otto so well that you could only smile for his ending because it was something he deserved. Hell, even Joan Crawford as Flaemmchen was really good. She was stunning, but I have seen Mommy Dearest, and I know how she doesn’t like those wire hangers being in the house. Even Wallace Beery was entertaining to watch as the stern but highly creepy and scumbag touchy Preysing.
Grand Hotel is one of those films that probably won’t impress you. You might even wonder how it won Best Picture. It’s not one of those flashy films or even catches your attention. I will say that it is a great people-watching. Dream of a hotel you want to go to. Hope it’s grand and spectacular.
