vicky baum novel menschen i be hotel serf a the basis for this 1932 film that be a vehicle for greta garbo . grand hotel and a direct by edmund golding and be a magnificent film that have a lot of first class star of the era in prominent role . in fact and this seem to be one of the first film to have rely in the prominent name it gather to portray the different character in the movie . by today standard and the film be date and but for a discriminating film fan and grand hotel be a classic because of the star turn one witness . also and today fan have to make concession for the style of act that be prevalent at the time . the movie have begin talk not long before this film be make and the star of those silents be still do their acting in front of the camera a though no one be go to hear them talk . in fact and most of the complaint in comment submit to this forum would have be different if this be 1932 and the film have just come out . the best advice for anyone new to this film be to sit back and relax and and enjoy the trial and tribulation of the people see at berlin grand hotel . the big surprise of the film be the shortness of greta garbo presence in the film and in which for some unknown reason and she loom large above the rest of the player . a the russian ballerina grusinskaya and ms. garbo play one of the best character of her career . her way of acting be still imbue with what be expect of her . john barrymore a the baron von geigern and the impoverished nobleman and be key to the story . the moment he meet the great grusinskaya and he be lose forever . lionel barrymore be excellent a the poor otto kringelein and who think he be go to die real soon . joan crawford and be the stenographer flaemmchen who seem to arise passion among all the men she meet . ms. crawford do excellent work in a role she discard later on in favor of more dramatic appearance . what make grand hotel the timeless classic it become be the magnificent camera work by william h. daniel and a man who know how to get the best out of greta garbo in their many film together . also the music which be from franz lehar the merry widow serve a a nice distraction in the background . the most famous phrase in the film i want to be alone and seem prophetic in retrospect a the divine garbo have about eight more year in the movie .