Robert Z. Leonard (1887–1968)

When MGM decided to remake its own “Grand Hotel” it pulled out all the stops. Vicky Baum’s story of several people crossing paths is set at the lavish Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. MGM provided a glossy sheen and top stars like Ginger Rogers, Van Johnson and Lana Turner. The result is a more accessible movie than the original Garbo and Barrymore film, and Robert Z. Leonard takes the great cast through their paces quite nicely.

Ginger Rogers is the busy but lonely movie star Irene show more Malvern who, through a chain of circumstances believes war correspondent Chip Collier (Walter Pigeon) is her secretary’s boyfriend and has come to steal her jewels. When Collier can’t convince her otherwise, he plays along to have some fun. This creates an amusing circumstance in which they end up pretending to be married! There is charm and a lot of fun to their play-romance which slowly blossoms into a very real one. Both Rogers and Pigeon look like they're having great fun and work well together.

The second story involves a young and lovely Lana Turner as Bunny, the hotel stenographer who wants a penthouse kind of life. By chance she takes dictation from a doctor about an operation planned after the weekend on Captain James Hollis to remove shrapnel fragments from around his heart. Van Johnson had one of his best roles as the young Hollis, who may not survive without a reason to live. When he comes to Bunny to dictate his will, Johnson nearly breaks your heart, and Bunny's too. It causes her to suddenly falter in her determination to have Park Avenue.

The third connecting is story involves a big businessman named Edly (Edward Arnold) attempting a shady oil deal with Sheiks that may not be good for the country. Colliers' bumbling protege Oliver (Keenan Wynn) seeks his help to get the story. Edly, of course, has his eye on Bunny, and wants her to be his confidential secretary. All these stories crisscross and at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria.

This is a very enjoyable film that will have you smiling a lot and laughing quite a bit. The rest of the time it tugs at your heart. Xavier Cugat has a nice turn as the Waldorf’s bandleader, and becomes involved in Hollis’s story in a way I won't spoil for you. This MGM film has a luster that extends beyond what the eyes see and is a great film to add to your classic film viewing. show less

Review can also be found in Chill and read

Sometimes the last person on earth you want to be with is the one person you can't be without...

Over two hundred years after its first publishing, "Pride and Prejudice" remains a joyful reading. Austen truly masters the art of writing and the reader can see that on every page. The humoristic prose with respect to the way of living at that time is revealing.

All this talk of entailment and manners my seem strange nowadays, however, it was a way of show more living and a characteristic of the upper class and those who wished to socialize with them. People of lower class may lacked the knowledge and how much was enough, and we can see a great deal of it at Mrs. Bennet, which on occasions makes Miss Bennet feel embarrassed.

The chronicle of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's romance may not be so unfamiliar to the reader. As much as pride was there in the 19th century noblemen, so much egoism may now exist in those who believe themselves successful and rich. Though Lady Catherine de Bourg's manners are equivalent and rather expected by her title, they pose her as rude and bossy, which was a rather common thing those days. Her nephew however, is one of the kindest people on earth and those working for him can guarantee for his character.

Elizabeth Bennet, starts with a prejudice, hating a man who is very pride on his origins to even set another look on her beautiful eyes. However, as time goes by, her prejudice is eliminated by his actions and the greatness of his hart and his pride is making room for the lovely miss and some of her relatives that can actually stand next to him and have a nice discussion.

Things are not going to be easy for those two, but when love is in the picture, everything becomes clear.

The book has become a BBC mini series in 1995. Mr. Darcy was imposed by Colin Firth and Elizabeth Bennet by Jennifer Ehle.

Though this was not the only TV adaptation of the most known romance in book history. Many others have followed as well and there are a lot to find while looking around in the internet.

Most recently, in 2005, there was a film adaption by director Joe Wright. Staring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.

To have a taste, check the film’s official page. show less

2024 movie #191. Federal agent (Taylor) is set to Central America to disrupt the trade in stolen airplane engines but his plans are disrupted when he meets the wife of his chief suspect (Gardner). I image Ava Gardner could disrupt any man's plans. Melodrama presented as noir.

2021 movie #99. 1947. 15-yo Elizabeth Taylor plays Cynthia, a 15-yo unhappy high school girl whose parents won't let her do anything because they think she's sickly. But she goes to the prom, kisses the cute boy and has a great time. A bit sappy but Taylor is great. Her 8th film.