I've had it on my DVR for a couple months. I'll have to make a point to check it out.

My least fave thing about this movie is Greta Garbo's miscasting and her OTT performance (and I'm a fan of Silent films Garbo, and to considerable extent talkies-era Garbo, so hate to single her out for criticism). Also Rafaela Ottiano, portraying her maid, is, in my opinion, OTT (though I'm fine with her). Jean Hersholt's performance (or perhaps it's the role that's the problem) as an expectant father is, meanwhile, tiresome.

On the other hand, Crawford and the two Barrymores definitely go in the Pluses column, as most of the way also does Wallace Beery.

I actually like Garbo in this but agree that Crawford - an actress who in general I am indifferent to (Mildred Pierce is another major exception) is aces and walks off with the picture.

Regarding another Crawford movie of similar era to Mildred Pierce, 1946's Humoresque, co-starring John Garfield, features a likewise top-notch performance by her. Meanwhile, 1931's Possessed, co-starring Clark Gable, is very good from not long before Grand Hotel. I also like 1932's Rain a lot (though it's got its flaws).

So I watched this today...finally! I'm glad I did. I give it a solid 8, but not sure I will view it again.

I agree that Garbo was a little OTT. I was expecting her to find out about the murder and fling herself over the railing and down to the first floor desk (rewrite). But while she was a little dramatic, I did feel like I was viewing an icon when she was on screen.

I did love Joan Crawford, but I will have to admit, I might have been a tad biased by her on-screen beauty. It is sad that the writers didn't find a way to get the two woman screen time together. Maybe a train scene at the end (rewrite #2)?

One of the best reasons for my viewing of Grand Hotel was to appreciate John Barrymore more. I have always been partial to his brother because I have seen him in so many more movies. Dinner At Eight is the only other memorable JB film I can recall and of course that was another great ensemble film. But I have to admit that JB was my favorite character in this movie. I guess because I know quite a few people who are really nice and sincere in person, but have a reputation that would make you think otherwise.

Not sure if you viewed this on TCM or not, but Alicia Malone added some post-movie remarks. She noted that the New Yorker critic John Mosher said that Garbo dominated the picture despite the brevity of her appearance. And Vicki Baum the writer of the original novel sent a thank you note to Garbo for capturing the spirit of the character she wrote. Finally she said that Garbo also had a big fan on-set in Crawford. She said as the story goes Garbo held Crawford's face in her hands and called her face "marvelous".

I'm quite a Garbo fan (which I wasn't originally, but became so, years back, after discovering the tremendous instinctive ability she had to make true cinematic magic appear on the screen in Silent films). I think that's why I'm not as taken with her Grand Hotel performance as I'd like to be, as there's an array of other Garbo film appearances I like so much better, that she comes off significantly better and more effectively in. For example in 1930's Anna Christie (both versions - English and German - thereof) or Romance, each not long before GH. All the above having been said, Garbo is always iconic, therefore rightfully has her place in Grand Hotel.

Without this film she may never have become associated with the words "I vant to be alone."

I absolutely agree that John Barrymore is terrific in this. To me, he and Crawford are the two specific components that I continue to have a place in my heart for this film precisely because of; they're who "make" this movie for me, and why I continue to view GH anew every so often.

Incidentally, John Barrymore was outstanding and hilarious in comedy. For a real treat, try 1924's Beau Brummel (which is comedic only in part, otherwise is serious drama), 1934's Twentieth Century, and/or 1939's Midnight. Barrymore comes off to thoroughly wonderful effect in each.

Joan Crawford was at the height of her considerable beauty during the 1931-1933 period. Before and after those years she had different looks (including corresponding hairstyles) that weren't nearly as flattering. Some discussion of the evolution of her name and look is in this thread.

Wow! Thanks for the resource links