MGM remake Grand Hotel just for the hell of it using a lesser number of stars - Ginger Rogers, Walter Pigeon, Lana Turner, Van Johnson, Edward Arnold.
Pidgeon isn't convincing as a tired war corresponent, the Clark Gable-ish part. Edward Arnold is more at home as a dodgy businessman. Ginger Rogers isn't convincing as a movie star though Van Johnson suits the aw gee dying GI.
Thinking about it the film casts its stars wrong. Turner should've been the movie star - she was younger than Rogers but she would've suited playing a lonely movie star; Rogers was a star of course but her persona is too perky. She would've been fine playing a poor girl who works as a secretary and is lured into becoming Arnold's mistress. (This story line would've been better incidentally if Ames had played Arnold's part, someone slimmer and more attractive). Johnson would've better better as the journo and Walter Pidgeon better as the ill soldier. THey would've had to adjust for the character's ages.
As it is it's annoying. I didn't enjoy the fake romance of Pidgeon and Rogers, it was a drag, or the romance between Johnson and Turner. Like many MGM films there's a subplot about someone giving up wealth for Americana - Turner faced with being a Park Avenue mistress versus Johnson's outdoor cookin' hometown. Actually the Rogers-Pidgeon romance is about that too - give up your freedom for marriage.
I'll admit - if you are a massive Pidgeon and Rogers fan you'll enjoy this more than I did. I found Pidgeon charmless, and Rogers trying too hard. Turner was trying her best but she's no fun.
People pop up in support like Leon Ames, Xavier Cugat and Robert Benchley. This was MGM at its peak I guess... in a few years it would lose money, panic, appoint Dore Schary, and it would unravel. I didn't really like this movie that much though. Songs and colour would have helped.
There is some fun reflecting on the rumours about Johnson and Pidgeon and wondering if they went cruising, while Turner shagged whoever and Rogers espoused anti Communism. Keenan Wynn, who gave up his wife to Johnson to avoid scandal, is in it.
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