And the Best Picture goes to....

This drama, directed by Edmund Goulding, features an ensemble all-star cast with great names such as Greta Garbo, the Barrymore Brothers, and a young Joan Crawford.

John Barrymore’s distinguished Baron starts out as an endearing figure, friendly with just about everyone.  But I ask myself is he really a Baron or is he a conman out to steal the pearls belonging to Greta Garbo’s character?  We don’t find that out but what we do know is that he has sex-appeal that comes through in his scenes with both Garbo and Crawford.  Though he eventually falls in love with Garbo, it’s with Crawford that he demonstrates the most chemistry as their scene on the hotel balcony has great timing with the exchange of their lines.

Joan Crawford, in the early days of her career, plays her character of the stenographer with such self-confidence.  This seems to foreshadow the long line of strong female roles that she’s destined to play down the road.  And even though you may think that a heavy-hitter like Garbo would be the lead actress of this picture, it’s Crawford that steals the screen.

The ever-elegant Greta Garbo was nice to look at with her classic appearance, but I found her performance a little overdramatic.  Of course, she’s an icon of the silent era where overacted performances were often the norm, but the way her character of Grusinskaya, the dancer, goes from desperation to childlike happiness makes me wonder if she would be diagnosed as bipolar by modern standards.  And it should also be noted that this is the film that Garbo utters what is most likely her most famous line, “I want to be alone”. 

The other two actors that round out this cast would be Lionel Barrymore as a lovable and naïve dying man, determined to have his last hurrah and enjoy life, and Wallace Beery as the boorish, married industrialist that hires Crawford and tries to entice her into adultery.  For obvious reasons he’s identified as the villain of the film.

I find it surprising that “Grand Hotel” received only one nomination, for Best Picture, given its well-written dialogue and straightforward storyline. With such a powerhouse cast, it’s puzzling that there were no nominations for acting, set design for the lavish art deco hotel, or for costumes, especially considering Greta Garbo’s stunning wardrobe.

One last thing I want to mention: was I the only one who felt sad for the Baron’s dog? Without its master, the dog seemed to be swept away with the trash. I was heartbroken and would have preferred to see Lionel Barrymore and Joan Crawford take in the beloved pet as a tribute to their deceased friend.

Overall, “Grand Hotel” is a compelling drama that beautifully intertwines its characters’ stories, making it a classic worth revisiting.