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In 1932 filmmakers were still hampered by the large, bulky equipment required to record sound for movies. Many films from this time lacked the fluid movement of earlier silent films but improvements gradually appeared in the form of less melodramatic acting and, yes, dialogue. Although much of the dialogue for talkies could be a bit on the long winded side, “Grand Hotel” sparkles with witty dialogue. “Grand Hotel” comes from this transitional time and this 1932 Best Picture Academy Award winner suffers from the limitations of the time and being ransacked for less inspired films but still manages to retain much of its power and class. The dialogue still crackles and the acting is top notch throughout the film. ***

The Berlin Grand Hotel of the title becomes the nexus for a group of people all in the grip of crisis. A burned out ballerina looking for love, a penniless Baron who has become a thief to survive, a rich industrialist who needs capital to keep his business afloat and the dying clerk that works for him all converge at the hotel at the same time. All will become involved in each other’s lives in unimaginable ways. Some will fall in love, others will fall off the wagon but none will leave the Grand Hotel feeling the same way they arrived. ---

There’s a great new documentary that gives the background on the original German play and the concern that MGM probably shouldn’t have packed so many great stars into one movie. It’s amazingly rich with details about the production of the movie and the myths surrounding it. There’s also a theatrical trailer for both “Grant Hotel” and its remake “Weekend at the Waldorf”. We also get a short newsreel that shows footage from the premiere. “Nothing Ever Happens” a short comedy that spoofs “Grand Hotel” is included as well. It’s not the best comedy nor the best spoof but it’s a great time capsule of 1932. ---