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)
- …
- Director
- Writers
- Vicki Baum
- William Absalom Drake(uncredited)
- Béla Balázs(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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
Dated, melodramatic...and MAGNIFICENT
I've seen "Grand Hotel" at least fifteen times -- more than any other '30s film with the possible exception of two other classics: "King Kong" and Astaire and Rogers' "The Gay Divorcee."
Quite a few others reviewers here have commented negatively on this "creaky" old film. They are correct -- it is -- and yet, who cares? It's utterly wonderful!
The whole cast is superb -- charming, desperate, vulnerable John Barrymore; cynical, sad, appealing Joan Crawford; pathetic, whining, irrepressible Lionel Barrymore; coarse, selfish, all-too-humanly cruel Wallace Beery; and of course, the great Greta Garbo. The supporting cast, led by Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt, are equally good.
Those who criticize Garbo as over-the-top in her portrayal of the prima ballerina are right. She IS over-the-top, AND she is absolutely glorious, whether wallowing in self-pitying, suicidal despair or radiant as the spring with a new love which astonishes and transports her. What a unique, unforgettable screen presence! What a Goddess!
"Grand Hotel" holds this viewer, anyway, entranced from beginning to end. In addition to the superlative acting, the art deco design is stunning and the music always appropriate.
Creaky? You bet. Do they make movies like this anymore? Nope. Do I wish they did? I sure do.
Quite a few others reviewers here have commented negatively on this "creaky" old film. They are correct -- it is -- and yet, who cares? It's utterly wonderful!
The whole cast is superb -- charming, desperate, vulnerable John Barrymore; cynical, sad, appealing Joan Crawford; pathetic, whining, irrepressible Lionel Barrymore; coarse, selfish, all-too-humanly cruel Wallace Beery; and of course, the great Greta Garbo. The supporting cast, led by Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt, are equally good.
Those who criticize Garbo as over-the-top in her portrayal of the prima ballerina are right. She IS over-the-top, AND she is absolutely glorious, whether wallowing in self-pitying, suicidal despair or radiant as the spring with a new love which astonishes and transports her. What a unique, unforgettable screen presence! What a Goddess!
"Grand Hotel" holds this viewer, anyway, entranced from beginning to end. In addition to the superlative acting, the art deco design is stunning and the music always appropriate.
Creaky? You bet. Do they make movies like this anymore? Nope. Do I wish they did? I sure do.
helpful•14016
- ms94801
- Jun 20, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Grand hotel
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $700,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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