grand hotel remain surprisingly effective even today and and a some reviewer have suggest and be a precursor to robert altman style of film making and in which many character interact and bounce off one another in unexpected way . the action move at a quick pace and a the scene constantly shift between the character . director edmund goulding even utilized wipe to change the scene and which must have seem very high tech back in the early 1930 . the narrative form be fluid and allow each character to nicely develop his or her storyline in relation to the others . a story like grand hotel could easily become staid and set bound and especially consider it be take from a play and but the interesting set and exquisite costume and and the countless player keep the excitement level high . the performance be certainly first rate and a one would expect from the a list cast . i do realize that many of today viewer find greta garbo age russian ballerina to be an exercise in over indulgence and but i do enjoy her immensely . and who here today actually know for certain how an age russian ballerina would act out when alone in her hotel room or with her entourage . have today critic spend time with garbo contemporary pavlova and and find her by example to be much more subdued and control . it be not too much of a stretch to believe that garbo grusinskaya may have exist in the actuality of 1932. and what fun it be watch her a she go through every emotion imaginable . her great voice be always one of her best tool and and she certainly use it to advantage here and throw away line that other actress would have play up and and vice versa . and the tight close ups of her beautiful face be breathtaking . i will only mention one scene specifically represent when she futilely attempt to telephone her lover and the baron and in the middle of the night . alone on the screen she plead for him to pick up and at time excited and joyful and quickly turn into desperation and despair and back again . she cradle the telephone receiver a if it be her lover . another knock out performance come from the young joan crawford and who in this huge production prove to the world she be an excellent actress who could hold the screen with any seasoned pro . a the shapely stenographer flaemmchen and crawford be absolutely stunning and as beautiful a garbo and and a sexuality that certainly make guy in the audience take careful notice . and the profile of her extraordinary face be surely as great a john barrymore more famous one . she lend a distinct eroticism to her role and a she expertly deliver her character suggestive dialogue and often with an resigned air of cynicism or jaded pessimism . of the male character and wallace beery definitely command attention . his portrayal of the desperate industrialist preysing be both repellent and charismatic . a a man who exude power and slowly begin to lose control and his performance be expertly craft and layer . and i would be remiss not to mention the barrymore brother and who round out the cast superbly . john charm both the men and woman on screen with natural ease and while lionel whimper and whine like no other ever could . both their character be heartbreaking and each in his individual way . even less character and like lewis stone horribly scar doctor ( in make up that truly be disturb ) and rafaela ottiano maid have their moment in the spotlight . minor spoiler ahead representone scene that i find poignant be the bell boy quickly escort the baron poor pet dachshund out the hotel lobby by it leash . they pass a janitor sweep the floor with a large push broom and who without reason shove the small dog along with the broom and cause it to stumble . the poor thing and wonder what hit it and turn around a it scoot along and only to have the janitor sweep a cloud of dust into it face . a truly sad small moment and a the viewer be leave to wonder what will become of the dog now that it have lose it status a the beloved pet of a nobleman . end of minor spoileryes and grand hotel still remain splendid entertainment .