Three classic Oscar winners come to Blu-ray

I have to confess I have never seen Grand Hotel even though it’s been on my list of movies that I have to see. Thanks to the new Blu-ray release, there is more of an incentive to give it a look. And the result was well worth the wait. The story of Grand Hotel revolves around several of the hotel’s guests and comers-and-goers. Chief among them are Grusinskaya (Greta Garbo), a dancer who has lost the will to dance, The Baron (John Barrymore) who is more con man than royalty, Preysing (Wallace Beery), a businessman who needs to close a huge deal or lose his business, Kringelein (Lionel Barrymore), a worker in Preysing’s factory who only has weeks to live, and Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), a stenographer in the employ of Preysing who is wooed by The Baron (who also woos Grusinskaya, but he is interested in her or her jewels). The film features some massive sets and some of MGM’s biggest stars, and won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1932 (oddly enough, Best Picture was the only nomination the film received).

The Blu-ray presentation is simply gorgeous, showcasing William H. Daniels’ beautiful black and white cinematography and Cedric Gibbons’ amazing production design. What is even more remarkable is the fact that the film’s original source has been lost and the version used for the Blu-ray is many generations away from it, but the image is still lovely with deep blacks and many shades of gray. It may not be as sharp as a modern digital image, but the end result is pleasing nonetheless. The audio is presented in DTS-HD MA 1.0, and is acceptable for a film of this vintage. In addition, you can also watch the film with audio commentary with film historian and MGM archivist Jeffrey Vance and Irving Thalberg biographer Mark A. Vieira which covers all aspects of the making of the film, the stars, and the behind-the-scenes drama.

Other bonus material on the disk (all in standard definition) includes:

• Checking Out: Grand Hotel — (12 minutes) A look at the inspiration for the book, and how MGM bought the rights for a Broadway show that also included the film rights. The movie was already in the black before a frame was even shot. The short also looks at the all-star cast, including Garbo, and the difficulties in getting many of the big stars to accept their roles. Trivia: It’s not known if the all-star cast ever assembled on set at the same time. Grand Hotel won Best Picture and was the only film not nominated in other categories.
• Hollywood Premiere of Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s Grand Hotel — (10 minutes) A newsreel presentation from the premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. As the stars arrived, they had to sign a register book as if checking in to a hotel.
• Nothing Ever Happens — (19 minutes) A 1933 musical parody of Grand Hotel (the title comes from a line in the film) featuring more talk-singing than actual singing, but there is a chorus line of bellhops and kitchen staff that can high kick with the best of them.
• Just a Word of Warning — A ballyhoo trailer alerting folks that the film is ending its run at Grauman’s.
• Trailers for Grand Hotel and Week-End at the Waldorf