Mordaunt Hall in the New York Times

April 13, 1932

A Pictorial Version of Vicki Baum's Stage Work

For the first showing last night of the film of Vicki Baum's stage work, "Grand Hotel," those worshippers of the stars of the Hollywood firmament choked the sidewalk outside the Astor and also the theatre lobby, while policemen afoot and on horse urged the throng to keep moving. And from across Broadway blinding beams of light added to the general excitement.

Inside the theatre it was for a time difficult to move but very slowly, for many of those who had tickets pressed into the aisles and behind the orchestra seats with the evident hope of catching a glimpse of one or another cinema celebrity. But once microphone music came from the stage the spectators hastened to their places and soon the introductory scene of the much talked of motion picture was emblazoned on the screen. It was that of the telephone operators in the Grand Hotel and then the pushing and shouting was a thing of the past.

It is a production thoroughly worthy of all the talk it has created and the several motion- picture luminaries deserve to feel very proud of their performances, particularly Greta Garbo and Lionel Barrymore. So far as the direction is concerned, Edmund Goulding has done an excellent piece of work, but occasionally it seems as though he relies too much on close-ups. Nevertheless he has sustained a steady momentum in darting here and there in the busy hostelry and working up to an effective dramatic pitch at the psychological moment. In all, the picture adheres faithfully to the original and while it undoubtedly lacks the life and depth and color of the play, by means of excellent characterizations it keeps the audience on the qui vive.

It is indubitably a capital subject to bring to the screen, for it benefits by the sweeping scope of the camera and in swaying from room to room and from the lobby to the telephone switchboard, Mr. Goulding gives some markedly fine photographic effects. But it should be stated that in one scene he permits an extremely gruesome idea to creep in. This will probably be eliminated at some of the future exhibitions.

Miss Garbo, of course, impersonates the dancer, Grusinskaya, played on the stage by Eugenie Leontovich. Miss Garbo, possibly appreciating that she was supported by a galaxy of efficient performers, decided that she would do her utmost to make her role shine. And she succeeds admirably. She is stunning in her early scenes and charming in the love scene with Baron Geigern, portrayed by John Barrymore with his usual savoir faire. And later, wearing a chinchilla coat, she is gay and lighthearted, for love has beckoned to the temperamental dancer. Grusinskaya leaves the screen hopeful of meeting the Baron at the railroad station, but the audience knows that the good-natured and sympathetic thief has met his doom at the hands of the ignoble Preysing, a part acted by Wallace Beery.

It fell to Lionel Barrymore's lot to play Otto Kringelein, the humble bookkeeper who decides in an introductory scene that, as he has not long to live, he will go out of this world in a blaze of glory. Mr. Barrymore brings out every possible note of this sensitive person, who talks with bated breath to the Baron, entertains with champagne and caviar; loathes his employer, the hard-fisted, sensual Preysing, for whom he has worked for a pittance. He is going to die and therefore what cares he if Preysing discharges him? But, instead of passing away, he entrains for Paris with the attractive stenographer, Flaemmchen, who is seen in the person of Joan Crawford. Through Mr. Barrymore's skillful interpretation one gleans the satisfaction of this obsequious human adding machine has in hobnobbing with people of the world and in living in the corner suite of the Grand Hotel. Mr. Barrymore is superb when he as Kringelein finds himself tipsy, tipsy but elated. If ever an actor got under the skin of a character Mr. Barrymore does here.

And, although Miss Garbo and Lionel Barrymore deliver talented portrayals, it does not mean that any aspersion is to be cast at the work of others in the cast. Miss Crawford, for instance, is splendid as Flaemmchen. She, too, does all that is possible to vie with the others in the cast. Then there is John Barrymore as the Baron. Nobody could hope to see such a type better acted. This Baron is handsome, a little sly, eager for money, but always thoughtful and friendly when it comes to his association with Kringelein. He steals Kringelein's wallet, but, when he hears Kringelein bewailing his loss, he "finds" the wallet, and how glad is Kringelein!

As for Mr. Beery, it may seem that while his performance does not quite compare with that of Siegfried Rumann, the stage Preysing, it is nevertheless a very worthy characterization. Mr. Beery is sufficiently ponderous and forbidding as Preysing, but in having to assume a German accent he is not quite in his element. But those who did not see Mr. Rumann will undoubtedly decide that Mr. Beery's performance is good enough.

No review of this picture would be complete without a mention of the genuinely pleasing work of Ferdinand Gottschalk, who acts the loyal underling of Grusinskaya. Lewis Ston also does well as Dr. Otternschlag and Jean Hersholt is up to his usual high standard as the porter, Senf, whose chief interest during the running of the story is the condition of his wife, who finally gives birth to a child as the story comes to a close. And it is Dr. Otternschlag who is given to saying that "people come and people go, and nothing ever happens in the Grand Hotel."

And the audience has seen manslaughter, gambling, a baron bent on stealing pearls, love affairs, a business deal and various other doings. And "nothing ever happens!"

James R. Quirk in Photoplay (1932):

    The story is not all Garbo. Joan Crawford gives excellent competition and moves up along her ladder of successes...You may argue about who deserves the most praise and not get anywhere, for the picture, as a whole, steals the show.

film-forward.com (2004):

 Glenn Erickson on dvdtalk.com (2004):

Michael Lia  (October 2009)

Rating:   of 5

I am always generous to MGM when it provides me with a good cast, a good script, and a good producer. With a fun multi-talented director working from a successful novel written by a charming lady, how can it miss? It does not!

“Grand Hotel” was superb in 1932, and it is superb today. Get in the mood for some great 1932 acting.

The film is unique in many ways. It is the first book to become a stage play, a movie, then a musical. It was the first film of the Depression to “shake up” the industry as Irving Thalberg put it. Thank you, Irving .

Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Berry, Jean Hersholt, and Joan Crawford! The cast of such extreme excellence can never be assembled again. It was Big! Today the cast could possibly be played by Meryl Streep or Julianna Moore, Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day Lewis, Robert DeNiro, no slouches. Who could play “Flaemmchen” ("Miss Flem" to you)?

No one is slumming at “Grand Hotel." MGM would not allow that!

The marquee of headline names is awesome! (Only time I like that word.) There is a major problem, however. One person comes out short for me and that is Miss Greta Garbo. She is beautiful and her scenes with John Barrymore are seductive and highly romantic, BUT... Garbo? a ballerina? No! It does not work.  She does not work. It is embarrassing to see her attempt to “jump” around the room when she is happy. Her knees could not bend like a ballerina. How could anyone keep a straight face? Why couldn’t she be a spy, an heiress? Or a countess? or a queen? That is the only misfortune of her tragic role. But…what a face!

If I want to be super-picky, the location should have been moved from Berlin to New York or London.  The cast was not European or able to speak German; that is the other discrepancy, as in most movies of that time. But I never let that bother me, because the theme is universal: MONEY: (security and food) could lead to lying and greed and murder! SURVIVAL: (sex for money and food) could lead to bad relationships and false friendships and murder. HAPPINESS: (money, sex, and food). At some point it is up to you! Did anyone figure it all out?

I am of the opinion that Miss Crawford was excellent here. She actually stole the show. Her character comes off better than Garbo’s and is more interesting. She is young and creamy, seductive and worldly.  This character is like the "girl next door,” but the one who moved away: A sweet woman,  yet she is bitter and untrusting of men; she is wise enough to know she needs them to make her way in life, even if it is just dinner. She is “Sadie Thompson” ... without the rain!  

The people in “Grand Hotel’ are a sad lot, because their endings or their lives needn’t have been so tragic and unhappy and lonely, which is how they all started out!

So Lewis Stone was right when he said “Grand Hotel... People come, people go, but nothing ever happens”

It did not have to be that way….but their loneliness took over every thought process. Everybody in "Grand Hotel” is lonely!! (Even Jean Hersholt’s wife is having their baby alone)!

Joan should not have prostituted herself for a tan and a pair of ski boots.

Wallace Berry should not have lied in business, and he should not have killed poor John Barrymore.

John Barrymore should have taken a loan from Kringeline or let Miss Garbo pay the way. He should not have stolen Wallace Beery’s wallet! Because now he is dead and Miss Garbo will definitely commit suicide! Her maid will have a lot of work to do!

Garbo should not have allowed John Barrymore to leave her seeking money; she could have sold her pearls and left some money in his wallet?!

Lionel Barrymore (acting with a thick piece of ham) should have gone to Spain for warmer weather.

Miss Crawford is of interest throughout, and her scenes with Lionel Barrymore are genuine heartbreakers, and they walk away with the film. Thanks to director Edmund Goulding, who directed with enough nerve and with some pre-code flair. His focus was with heartfelt artistry. Let Mr. Thalberg worry about the budget and the schedule. Mr. Goulding spent his time working directly with story and characterization. (Damn... why did he not sense a scene had to be written for Garbo and Crawford? Or is that all just fantasy?)

I am glad the movie won Best Picture, and if there was a supporting Oscar category in 1932, I think Miss Crawford would have been nominated!

The cast also includes some comfortable favorites: Rafaela Ottiano, wonderful as the maid. (She is put to good use as a sneaky housekeeper in several 30’s movies). Purnell Pratt, who has a long Hollywood history, as well as Tully Marshall. Nice to see you guys!

“Grand Hotel” is 77 years old. It is a classic and remains a classic for many reasons, on many levels: Find some absinthe and watch it tonight!

Brad (December 2005)

A major movie for MGM and a Joan Crawford standout. Joan's third place billing in a movie of this stature shows her prominence at MGM. She gave an outstanding performance and truly holds her own among the MGM mighty.