Determinded to start this year well and in style, at least when it comes to the Blind Spot series, I've gone through my film collection and looked for the films I own and STILL not seen and that happen (in my opinion) to be classics that I need to watch and long over due. A bargain I found in 2017 while in Bristol finally had its day, Grand Hotel.
Originally placed on a previous list as one of the films that inspired Wes Anderson's Grand Hotel, this gem from 1932 directed by Edmund Goulding has a rather star studded cast playing an aray of characters that pass through the hotel in Berlin. A despressed famous dancer can't bring herself to go on stage, a Baron and gentleman thief is trying to steal pearls from the dancer and makes friends with an over worked book keeper who has found out he is dying and wants to live a good life before he goes, his employer, also staying at the hotel is trying to put together a merger that will save his business calls for a stenographer who in turn catches the eye of the baron, with a few other characters who appear through out such as the stressed porter who's wife is in labor at the hospital and the disfigured veteran doctor who comments at the start and the close of the film that nothing ever happens at the hotel. The famous line 'I want to be alone' originated in this film, said by Greta Garbo's dancer as she languishes in her hotel room about to take her own life, she is stopped by John Barrymore's thieving Baron who changes his mind about the pearls.
The intricate details of the hotel, with the guest rooms, dance and bar room and the fantastically designed lobby, that is in the center of the spiral of floors. It is grand in every sense of the word. The 360 degrees desk was designed so that the audience could view the action at any angle. A hotel is always a fascinating place to set a story as there is a story behind every door and quite the opposite to what the doctor says, so many things can happen in just a few days. Love, peace and murder are just a few things that take place in the Grand Hotel with vibrant characters to keep us entertained. There is beauty to found in 30s decor, costume and location, especially watching the film now.
The film inspired a remake in the 40s, this time transporting the hotel to New York. A second remake was in the work in 70s but never came to fruition. A story like this has a universal appeal but the setting in 30s Berlin captures the energy of the time and film itself. A film worth waiting to see.
To find out how it all started, head over to The Matinee and to see what's happening now, check out Returning Videotapes who is the new host of the Blind Spot Series.