Grand Hotel

Hello again. Not any real changes to the stucture of these posts. I still will do all the things I did in my previous post. However, I have also decided to take thes reviews a a bit more professionally. I will critique the plot, the acting, and the technical aspects of the movie and also give them a score. So here it goes the next movie on the list - Grand Hotel.



Movies Also Nominated:

• Arrowsmith
• Bad Girl
• The Champ
• Five Star Final
• One Hour with You
• Shanghai Express
• The Smiling Lieutenant

Found On:

• Megavideo

Play-By-Play:

• MGM's Roaring Lion logo - Ars Gratis Artis (Art for Art's Sake) - Pretty funny if this isn't a philosophical slogan that implies that this creation serves no purpose other than to be art, it actually means that it was created for someone named Art. I will from now on assume that it is Art Vandelay.
• Credits in the beginning, tradition is still in swing. From my learnings from the last movie. These are the characters in order of their importance.
• So here are the main characters of Grand Hotel:
• The Dancer - Grusinskaya - Greta Garbo
• The Baron - John Barrymore
• The Stenographer - Flaemmchen - Joan Crawford
• General Director - Preysing - Wallace Beery
• Otto Kringelein - Lionel Barrymore
• Dr. Otternschlag - Lewis Stone
• The Porter - Senf - Jean Hershol
• While the rest of the credits roll, pretty cool kaliedescope effect in the background, reminds me of the beginning of Good Will Hunting.
• Here we go...
• Old timey telephone operators answering and handleing a mindbottling amount of wires and dials.
• First part of calls:
• Senf calling the clinic to check on his wife and newborn child, being told to be patient.
• Otto talking to Heinrich, telling him to tear up his will. He apparently is dying from something and hasn't got much time till he dies. So he has decided to do something while he can and never going back home. He staying at the prestigous Grand Hotel. He calls Preysing his "Big Boss." Otto doesn't like him.
• Preysing calling his home, talking to his mom and dad about his company's merger, which is very important to the company. He is having a conference with them tommorrow morning. He is awaiting an telegram from the Manchester Cotton Company. 
• Suzette is making a call becuase Grusinskaya is not feeling well and will not dance today or go to the rehearsal. Something is preying on her mind... I knew it zombies.
• The Baron calling becuase he needs money or he won't be able to stay at the hotel. Also he is talking about something that he has laid the groundwork for by finding out someone's room position, becoming freinds with someone's ballet master, Mr. Pemenov.
• Second part of calls
• Otto and Heinrich: Otto has withdrawn all his savings and is going to spend it all. The hotel is very expensive but also very wonderful, Music all the time... Wonderful.
• Senf, saying that he would lose his job and that the hotel is like a jail.
• Preysing promising to his father to make the merger go through. He never fails.
• Suzette is worrying frantically over the dancer
• The Baron nat asking for advice, he needs money.
• The doctor says "The Grand Hotel... People coming, going... Nothing ever happens." Fade out.
• A few interesting establishing shots of hotel.
• Suzette telling the counter staff that her car will not be needed today.
• The Baron scolding a bellhop for not giving his dog (Adalphis) a walk. Pretty funny bit where Baron reaches into his pocket like he is going to tip him but then decides against it.
• Baron gives Senf a package to give to Grusinkaya and then greets to Mr. Pemenov, who is just getting his key to his room,168.

• Mr. Pemenov is worried about Grusinkaya becuase she did not do well in her last performance.
• Dr. Zimmerman meets up with Mr. Preysing, still no news from Manchester. So here it is:
• Preysing's company is trying to merge with the Saxonia Company
• However Saxonia will not merge unless Preysing is tied up with the Manchester Cotton Company, Preysing is waiting for the telegrem from them becuase he is having a meeting with Saxonia very soon
• Dr. Zimmerman suggests that he seem optimistic in the meeting and not even bring up Manchester, Preysing says that he will not becuase he is an honest business man.  
• They leave. Dr. Zimmerman tells the counter staff to send the stenographer to Preysing's room, 166.
• The doctor asks for there is any calls, telegrams,or messages for him, there isn't. Barron comments that he seems to be waiting on somthing that never comes.
• Otto being very impatient about getting a better room. The doctor offers Otto his room, the staff say that won't be nessecary. They give him room 176.

• The clerk hands a message to Baron. While preparing for his new room Otto drops his hat, Baron picks it up for him. Baron introduces Otto to the Doctor. 
• The Baron meets a Man dressed like a limo driver. Baron teels him not to come into the lobby, but the man insists becuase time is getting short.
• The stenographer comes in and is sent up to Preysings room. She catches the elevator with Otto, Baron, and Mr. Pimenov.
• She goes into Preysings room, but she is asked to wait outside becuase he needs to get dressed.
• Outside Otto is explaining to Baron that he took out all his savings and plans to live it up while he can, Baron seeing his opportunity, calls Otto his freind.
• The Baron trys to make small talk but is rejected by the stenographer. He then askes her to dance, She say no. He finds out that she is Mr. Preysings stenographer. He asks if she would mind taking some dictation from him, she rolls her eyes. But he charms his way to a date with her tommorrow at 5 pm in the yellow dancing room.

• Otto comes by and asks to speak to the Baron. Ms. Flem's eyes light up when she hears that he is a Baron. Otto invites them for wine and caviar in his new room. Mr Preysing finally is ready and call Ms. Flem into his room.
• Otto tells Baron that he has worked in Mr. Preysing's textile factory for a long time and knows him very well. As Otto and Baron are talking, Suzette comes out of room 170 and tells them to be quiet becuase she is sleeping.
• In the dancer's room: We finally see the Grusinskaya. She says she is very tired and cold and cannot dance tonight. The package from Baron is opened it is a gown. The hotel calls and says that her car is here, she send it away. Mr Pemenov comes in to get her but she says she does no want to go becuase there was so few in the audience and there was no applause. 

• Her manager come in and gets on her for not being ready to go. She says she id canceling the performance, he thinks that she is joking. He tells her that the show is sold out. She decides to go. Mr. Pemenov and her manager leave while Grusinkaya gets ready.
• Outside the manager tells Pemenov that he lied to her, in hopes that when she hears the music she will snap out of it.
• Grusinskaya sends Suzette back to take the pearl necklace back to the room because she doesn't want to wear them. The elevator door opens and they are just about to go in but and Flora and an older woman ask to hold the door, Grusinskaya helps them in. Baron was waiting outside the elevator but does not go in.
• Grusinskaya get in her car and drives away.
• Baron is talking to Adalphis about self-control. Baron's limo driver tells him that he late the dancer has already left. I guess the plan is for Baron to steal the pearls tonight and take the midnight train out of there. The limo driver says the others say that he is too much of a gentleman and too scared to do it. Baron says he is just being careful. Baron doesn't like his tone, it's all wrong. He sends him away.

• Back to Preysing: The stenographer is busy typing up the merger documents, Preysing is easily distracted by her legs. He asks her about the men she was talking too. She keeps trying to keep him on track. A bellhop comes and gives Preysing a message, it says that the deal with Manchester is off.  He sends her away.
• While Preysing is contemplating the consequences, Baron is seen outside his window slinking across the balcony.
• Baron scales the building to get to Grusinskaya's room.

• Preysing walks out into his balcony. Baron gets into the room and gets the pearls. He heads back to the balcony but sees Preysing so he can't get out. He heads for the door, but a housekeeper is about to come in. He hides in the closet. 
• The phone rings, the housekeeper picks it up and tells the caller that the dancer is not there. Suzette runs in grabs the phone, it's Pemenov on the line, they cannot find the dancer.
• Just then Grusinskaya walks in, they ask her where she been, "I want to be alone." The manager walks out saying that she will be alone because this is the last straw. Everybody leaves the room, except baron who is still in the closet.
• Grusinskaya starts a shower. Baron makes his way towards the balcony, but must hide behind the shade as Grusinskaya walks into the room to make a call to the theater. She tells Pemenov where she is and finds out that Dupree is dancing in her place. She tells him she's finished. She hangs up the phone, thinking about what she'll do. She decides to commit suicide.
• Baron steps out from the shades, he covers his track by acting like a admirer, who often would just go into her room just to breathe the same air she did.
• He says he could of left out the window unnoticed but couldn't because he couldn't stand to see her in such despair. She asks who he is, he says he is just someone who can love her. She asks him to leave because she wants to be alone, he begs her to let her stay. She says he can stay for just a minute.

• The doctor and Otto are walking down the hall, talking about about a party Otto just came from. Otto stumbles around his room, very drunk,  and passes out.
• Back to those switchboard operators. taking calls.
• Back to Preysing: He is in the meeting with Saxonia. He dances around the subject whenever Manchester is brought up. There is an argument about who approached who first about the merger, Preysing insists that Saxonia came to him first.
• Grusinskaya is talking about when she was in school but then asks about baron. He tells her his name and about his life. He says he belongs in jail for the things he done in his life. He confesses about about being a hotel thief, but says everything he feels about her is true, he shows her the pearls. She can't believe it, she throws the pearls down and says he can keep them, and tells him to leave. 
• He says he needed money that why he did it but he couldn't go through with it. They kiss.

• Grusinskaya is in a much better mood. Suzette knocks on the door, Grusinskaya sends her away. Pemonov calls and tells her about rehearsals. Grusinskaya wants Baron to go to Vienna with her. He says he doesn't have the money, she offers to pay, he declines but says he will get the money for the train. He leaves.
• Suzette sees Baron leave. She and the manager come into the room. He tells her that the Vienna engagement has been canceled, Grusinskaya calls him mad. and Suzette and the manager leave. Grusinskaya calls Baron just to tell him she is happy.
• In the bar, the Doctor is ranting about the hotel to Otto, "Hundred different doors leading to one hall, no one knows anything about the person next to them. When you leave; someone occupies your room, lies in your bed, that's the end."

• Back to Preysing: Dr. Zimmerman is pleading with Saxonia to agree to the merger. The Saxonia people start to leave deciding against the merger. Preysing seeing that his company is in a crisis, he tells the Saxonia people that the deal with Manchester was successful, Saxonia immediately sign the papers and agrees to the merger.
• Preysing shows Zimmerman the telegram he got earlier. Zimmerman tells him he must go to England to get the Manchester deal straightened out. But first they decide to celebrate the merger, they leave for the yellow room to find the stenographer.
• The stenographer makes her way down to the yellow room and asks Otto id he has seen Baron. Otto tells her that he has been with him all day. Baron comes by and Ms. Flem and him hit the dance floor.
• Baron tells Ms. Flem that he has been out all day chasing money. Baron asks Ms.Flem to dance with Otto. She says he is very different than he was yesterday. Baron tells her that h fell in love last night.
• Preysing asks to speak to Ms.Flem but Baron tells him that she is busy. She asks Otto to dance.

• Mr. Preysing comes in again and tells Ms.Flem that he has a big typing job right now and that Otto will not accept her invitation to dance. Otto asks Preysing "Does the world belong to you Mr. Preysing? Haven't I got any right to live"
• Baron comes by to see whats going on. Ms. Flem takes Otto off to dance. Baron tells Preysing to leave Otto alone.
• While dancing Otto tells Ms. Flem that for the first time in his life he's happy. He starts to stumble and has to stop. Preysing seeing his opportunity take Ms. Flem to the bar and tells Otto to go away.
• Otto tells Preysing that he is not taking orders from him here, that he cannot just go around insulting people. that he is just an ordinary man who married into money. Preysing fires back and calls him an embezzler, because he's there a the Grand. Preysing fire him. Otto tells Preysing "If one of your employee was half as stupid in a small way then you are in big way..."
• Preysing turns around and starts to choke Otto.

• Preysing say again that Otto is fired. Otto laughs and tells Preysing that he is dying and before your can discharge him he'll be dead. Preysing storms off. Baron come by and comforts Otto.
• Senf, the porter, is talking to another employee about his hospital visit.
• Preysing tells Ms. Flem that he needs to go to England and he invites her to be his secretary.
• Otto invites Baron to the casino, but he declines because he is broke. Baron leaves to talk to the Limo driver. Baron tells him that he quits and is working on a way to pay back the money.
• The driver tells him that he might find a bullet in his instead. Baron leaves to meet Grusinskaya.
• Grusinskaya is on her way to the theater she invites Baron. But he can't go, she leaves.
• Otto comes back and offer to give the Baron some money, he refuse but instead takes Otto up on his gambling invitation.
• Up in Otto's room they get a few fellows to play cards. Baron quickly loses. However Otto is raking it in. After Otto wins all the money the other starts to leave, but Otto wants them to stay and live it up like he is doing. Otto all riled up,drops his wallet and faints.
• As Otto wakes up the doctor says he hasn't got much time. Baron pocket Otto's wallet. Otto suddenly wakes up looking for his wallet. Otto's cries in despair because that money is last thing he has in the world.
• Baron feeling bad for Otto takes the wallet out of his pockets, pretending to just find it, gives it back to Otto. Baron says it late and leaves.

• Walking past room 170, he starts to knock, but walks away. He meets up with Ms.Flem who is staying there for the night as Preysing's secretary. Baron leaves.
• Grusinskaya enter the hotel from the theater. Her manager goes to Baron's room and knock,but there is no answer.
• Back in Preysing's Room: Ms. Flem is getting ready for bed,Preysing comes in and try make his moves on her, but she ignores them. Preysing sees shadow in the other room. He goes in to investigate.
• Preysing finds Baron in the room. Baron feigns ignorance and tries to leave out the door but it is locked. Preysing confronts Baron and demands that he give back what he stole. Baron give him his wallet back, tells him he was desperate, and begs for mercy. 
• Preysing says that Baron is a thief and is going to jail. Preysing heads for the phone to call the police. Baron tries for the balcony but Preysing grabs him. Preysing then begins to savagely hit Baron with the phone.

• Ms. Flem walks in and sees what Preysing has done ans runs out of the room screaming. She heads to Otto's room and tells him to go to the Baron in Preysing's room. 
• Otto gets to Preysing's room and see the Baron dead on the floor, Preysing tells him that he was trying to steal from him. Otto says that that is something to kill someone over.
• Preysing tries to get Otto to lie when the police interrogate him he refuses and grabs the phone to call the police.
• Grusinskaya is in her room, she comments that the music has stopped, that it shouldn't be this quiet in the Grand Hotel, and that her congratulatory flowers make her thing of funerals (Wow laying it on think with the metaphors) Grusinskaya says she cannot wait for Italy, she is going to be so happy there. She calls the Baron's room but there is no answers
• Outside they load the body into Buggy. Preysing gets escorted out in handcuffs.
• Senf comes in for work after staying up all night at the hospital and is told about the murder. He is saddened by Baron's death.
• Suzette tells the housekeepers that they must not tell Grusinskaya about the baron.
• Ms. Flem is still in Otto's room, he asks how she is doing. She is very sad. Otto invites Ms.Flem to stay with him, she agrees. They order two ticket to Paris.
• Grusinskaya tries to find Baron. Her manager say he may be already on the train. They rush her out to the car. it drives away.
• As they leave another car drives up, two more guests arrive.
• The front counter phone rings, it's the hospital for Senf. His wife is fine and she has give birth to a boy.
• Otto and Ms. Flem step out of the elevator, grab their tickets, tip the bellhops, and walk out of the hotel on their way to Paris.
• The doctor end the movie with the same line that he said in the beginning of the movie. "The Grand Hotel... People coming, going... Nothing ever happens." Fade out. The end.

Review:

• Plot: I have always like these types of movies, where the story arcs seem unrelated and begin to intertwine and connect. Basically there are five different stories in the movie. Grusinskaya's story: She is a famous dancer who has almost reached the end of her dancing career. Baron's story: A Baron who is desperate for money plans to steal a pearl necklace to pay off his debt. Preysing's Story: A company president who travels to meet with another company to set up a merger. Otto's Story: An terminally ill factory worker withdrawals all his saving to live it up in a fancy hotel. Senf's story (Not as important as the others): An overworked hotel porter must work while his wife is having a baby. Each of these stories can stand on it's own but the fact that they intertwine make for a very good movie and a very long play by play. 10/10
• Acting: This movie definitely has star power. Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Jean Hersholt. I of course have only heard of a few and some of those only indirectly from their famous offspring but they each are great in this. Garbo play the dancer and runs the gamut of emotions throughout the movie, no wonder she was voted as one of the great actresses of all time. John Barrymore played a very good Baron, very smooth and charming. Joan Crawford is very beautiful and played Ms. Flem very well. Wallace Beery was good as Preysing, who was angry throughout most of the film but was not very convincing when he had to be scared. Lionel Barrymore, one of my favorite characters in the movie, was great especially the scene when he finally stands up to Preysing. Lewis Stone  who played the doctor and Jean Hersholt who played Senf both delivered their few lines very well. Overall, great acting throughout. 10/10
• Technical Aspects: The pace of the movie was excellent, even though it ran more than two hours, it didn't feel like it. A very dense story with complex characters could very have dragged on, but the way it was shot and edited made it very enjoyable. The lobby scenes were done very well, with the camera following from each character to the next. There were a couple bad edits that I noticed but nothing too bad. 9/10
• Overall: A great movie with great stories play by great actors. 29/30

Next Movie:

• Cavalcade 

Cimarron (1931)

Alright, time for the next movie on my list, Cimarron.

Movies Also Nominated:

• East Lynne (Drama)
• The Front Page (Comedy)
• Skippy (Dramedy)
• Trader Horn (Action)

Found on:

• Filesonic (Two Parts)

Play-by-Play:

• Epic music while credits show in the beginning, I wonder what year this changes.
• Haven't ever heard of this movie, so expectations are not that high.
• Okay, set in the manifest destiny days, when land was free for the taking.
• Enter Yancey Cravet, obviously popular for some reason. Heading for Bear Creek.
• Enter Dixie Lee, heading for Bear Creek too...coincidence, we'll find out.
• From it's Wikipedia page, the movie's budget was a huge. You can tells by the land rush scenes.
• More than 5,000 extras, twenty-eight cameramen, and numerous camera assistants and photographers were used to capture scenes of wagons racing across grassy hills and prairie.

• Yancey riding his horse while Dixie is close behind him. Yancey spots the perfect lot. He looks back just as Dixie falls into a ditch and breaks her horse's legs.Yancey runs to help her. She begs him to shoot her horse, he does. She steals his horse and rides away.
• She quickly puts her stake in the plot that Yancey was eyeing.
• Yancey, back at home, relays the story to his family, they are not happy but would rather him there at the home. But Yancey has a vision of a newspaper empire in the new territory. But this time he's bringing his family.
• Yancey leaves, his wife's family try to talk her out of leaving with Yancey, but Sabra does anyway.

• So Yancey takes her and their son out west. but while unpacking a rug they discover Isaiah, The Venable's slave and the son of the family's cook. Yancey says he can stay.
• Very stereotypical and very racist. Shown twice already begging on his knees and calling it Oklahomey
• Later that night, Yancey speaks to Sabra about their future life and home. Suddenly, a gang of bandits who demand all their money. Yancey somehow knows the leader, "The Kid." Yancey tells Kid his plans to head down to the town of Osage and start up his newspaper. Kid and his gang leave.
• The Cravets arrive in Osage. Isaiah's face lights as they pass the grocer's tent because he sees the watermelon. Again, very racist. Osage is shown as a very violent town. They adjourn to the hotel. Sabra voices her concerns about raising their son in such a town. Yancey calms her down and heads for the bar to meet the townsfolk.
• Yancey meets Lon Yountis, a rough looking guy. Yancey's investigative prowess is shown because he soon finds out Lon may have something to do with the murder of the last newspaper editor, Mr. Peglett. Lon doesn't take too kindly to accusations.

• Yancey then meets a stuttering printer by the name of Jesse Rickey and asks for a job.
• The next morning while Isaiah is shown singing and shining shoes, Yancey and Sabra walk through the streets of Osage. They say howdy to Sal Levy, a walking notion counter (Traveling salesman?)
• Lon takes a couple shots at Yancey as they pass the bar and knock his hat off . Yancey shoots back and clips Lon in the ear.
• Yancey newspaper is finally finished, the "Oklahoma Wigwam" Yancey leaves to investigate the Peglett Murder.
• Lon is seen bullying Sol Levy. One of them succeeds in roping him in and try to force him to drink. Sol gets away but Lon and his gang start shooting at him. He falls back onto a t-shaped post which makes him look like he is being crucified.

• Yancey to the rescue. He shoots the whiskey bottle out of Lon's hand and then confronts him. Sol is sent on his way and Yancey then asks Lon about Peglett. "Stick to your law" Lon growls. Yancey lets out a Indian howl, obviously, meaning it's either gonna be him or Lon.
• Sabra tells Yancey she is afraid for him, stirring up trouble with questions about Peglett. Yancey tells her that he is not going to stop because his paper "...prints all the news, all the time, knowing no law except the law of god and the government of these United States."
• The mayor stops by to ask Yancey to conduct next Sunday's service, he agrees. Sabra again tells Yancey she is scared and doesn't want Yancey to go, he does anyway.
• That Sunday, the whole town assembles in the only place big enough top accommodate such a crowd, the gambling hall.
• Lon and his gang shows up. Dixie Lee shows up again, she's very unpopular with the town. Sol asks Yancey if it is alright if he is there, Yancey says its fine.

• They take up a collection for a new church organ and sing a song. They count up the collection and Yancey says that someone out there skipped out. One of the guys points out that it was one of the Indians. Yancey says its fine because Indians are too smart to give anything to a race that is taking away their land.
• Yancey begins his sermon. He says that there is a lion walking in the streets of Osage, talking about Lon and him killing Peglett. He says he is going to tell the entire congregation the name of the murderer, this causes Lon to Pull his gun and shoot at Yancey. However, Yancey pulled a move right out of the Matrix and dodged the bullet and shot back and killed Lon. Yancey ends the service with a prayer.
• Dixie Lee confront Yancey. She tells him that she was run out of the property she stole from him. Sabra again tells Yancey she is not happy that he is talking with Dixie.
• Yancey carves a notch in his gun, showing he killed another, showing that he has killed 6 people.
• Jump to 1890, the railroad is coming to Osage. Also, Yancey and Sabra are celebrating the birth of their daughter, Donna.

• While discussing her plans for the future, Sabra faints.
• A gang of outlaws comes into town and starts shooting up the town. It turns out to be the Kid from earlier in the movie. Isaiah runs out to find the Cravets son, Cim, but gets shot in the process.
• Yancey makes his way toward the gang shooting his way to the leader of the gang. Yancey finally is able to shoot the Kid, wounding him. As the Kid limps over to his horse he turns around and shoots Yancey in the arm. Yancey then shoots him.
• The Kid apologizes to Yancey then dies. Yancey finds out about the all the rewards that he is entitled to for killing the kid. As Yancey is walking back, Isiah is seen gasping by Mr. Yancey, but is unheard.
• Yancey tells Sabra that he is going to send back all the rewards because he wasn't doing for the money, he did it to protect his family plus he knew the Kid and was his friend.
• Sol Leavey brings Isaiah body in, Yancey takes him, but the family is silent.
• 1893: The president announces that he is opening the Cherokee land for settlers. Yancey tells the townsfolk that he has to much work to do to go with them. But Yancey obviously wants to go.
• Sabra is telling Yancey of the recent Woman's Club Meeting; Yancey explains about the new land rush. Yancey explains that he can't stay in one place for too long and that he wants to leave and create a new empire. Sabra tells him not to, but he does anyway.

• Yancey wants the whole family to go but Sabra doesn't want to. He says he will send back for her and rides off in the sunset.
• 1898: Five years pass and no word from Yancey. Some of the townsfolk discuss dome of the rumors surrounding Yancey's whereabouts.
• Sol now has his own store. Sabra runs the paper. She still misses Yancey. Sam and Donna are growing big, they are spitting image of their parents. Sabra hired an Indian girl to help out around the house, Ruby.
• Yancey comes back to Osage, The townsfolk cheer. Sabra goes out and checks. Yancey comes in and kisses Sabra, she see the military uniform. Yancey compares Sabra to the Odysseus's wife Penelope.
• Yancey learns about Dixie Lee trials and that no one is defending her, Yancey takes the job. Sabra is angry and asks "Whats that woman to you?"
• The prosecution, the former Governor, calls Dixie a menace to decent society, a viper, a disgrace to women everywhere.

• Yancey's Turn: He say the prosecution the only man in the world who can strut sitting down. He then proceeds to tell Dixie's story to the jury and then asks her a series of questions about her childhood, upbringing, careers, and relationships.
• The jury finds Dixie not guilty. Sabra is not happy about Yancey not listening to her and defending Dixie. Sabra now knowing the truth about Dixie feels bad about being means to her
• 1907: Roosevelt make Oklahoma a state. Osage is a good sized city now with oil.
• Sabra is fitting Donna dress. Donna is complaining about having to wear homemade clothes to school.
• Cim is dating Ruby, the Indian they had hired to help with the chores. Sabra and donna are not happy, Sabra threatens to tell Yancey. Cim says that Yancey already knows and has approved. Donna makes the comment that she is going to marry a rich white man.
• Louie, striking it rich in oil, bought himself a brand new car. Sol Leavy is thriving as owner of a popular store in town. Yancey is running for Governor.
• Pat, the prosecution in Dixie trail, meets up with Yancey to see if he can bribe him to accept the governments plans to hurt the Indians in exchange for votes in the upcoming election. Yancey refuses and kicks Pat out.

• Yancey plans to expose the governments plans and print that the Indians deserve citizenship, Sabra says not to but he does anyway. He tells her that as long as his name is on the newspaper he will print whatever he wants.
• 1929: Yancy leaves again for new country and leaves Sabra behind again. The Oklahoma Wigwam is celebrating its 40 years in business. Sabra decided to reprint Yancey's 1907 article demanding citizenship for the Indians.
• Sabra is now in congress. The Oklahoma Progressive State Committee throws a party for Sabra and to announce a new statue being built to commemorate the Oklahoma pioneers. Sabra introduces her family Donna has married Louie, the old man who had bought the car; Cimarron who has married Ruby; and her grandchildren Feliz and Yancey Jr. Sabra then informs that Yancey is out of town but would of been proud to have been there.

• After the party, a few people come by and congratulate Sabra on achieving her accomplishment alone. Sabra is on the verge of crying.
• While Sabra is out getting a tour of a nearby oil field one of the workers says that there was an accident at one of the wells but luckily an old drifter saved them by sacrificing himself. The onlookers asks who it was the man says that it was a man they called Old Yance. Sabra runs towards the field toward the man. Yancey sees Sabra and says "Wife and Mother, stainless woman, hide me, hide me in your love" then dies in her arms.

• Back in town the statue in unveiled, it's Yancey. The End.

Review:

• A very good movie.However, fourth movie on my list and Fourth movie with not the happiest of endings. Wings: Main Character kills his best friend. The Broadway Melody: Girl's fiancee runs away with her Sister. All Quiet on the Western Front: Main guy gets killed by a sniper. Now Cimarron: Main character wife finally is reunited with her husband only seconds before his death. This movie does show just how hard it is to be married to a adventurer, time after time Sabra is left alone while Yancey out starting a new empire. Speaking of Yancey, He is a very confusing character he is seen constantly undercutting and patronizing his wife, saying such things as "Now Sabra don't worry your pretty little head with such things," but selflessly defends Dixie. Yancey also show compassion towards the Indians, allowing them to skip out on church collections and writing articles demanding that they be granted citizenship, but is first in line when the government opens Indian land for territory. African American in the movie are shown very stereotypically, Isiah is seen always smiling and incompetent (plus not being allowed in church). This movie also shows how Jewish people were treated, Sol's constant bullying and Crucifixion by Lon and his hesitation in coming to church. Overall, I say it was alright. The story was kinda confusing, I mean I'm not really sure what the plot was. It started out as a story about a man creating a new empire out of a lawless city, then morphed into a story about a woman making it without the help of her husband. It also was pretty long and dragged on at points.

Next Movie:

• The Grand Hotel

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Third movie on my list. "All Quiet on the Western Front," a WW1 movie. I do enjoy war movies, so this should be good.

Movies Also Nominated:

• The Big House (Drama)
• Disraeli (Biography)
• The Divorcee (Drama)
• The Love Parade (Musical Comedy)

Found On:

• Megavideo (Quality isn't that good)

Play-By-Play:

• Like the previous two movies on my list, the credits show before the movie.
• Starts off with the quote "This story is neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shell, were destroyed by the war..." Pretty epic quote.
• First Scene: A man cleaning a doorknob while a woman is cleaning the floor. They discuss the war. Can't tell too much from their accents, probably German.
• Door opens to a busting city street with a bunch of German soldiers marching in the streets.
• A polite postman is seen delivering mail to a Mr. Meyer, the mailman discusses that he is not going to be switching uniforms very soon. His mailman get-up for a Army uniform. He is a Sergeant in the reserves and is going to be called in for duty very soon.
•  Fanfare as the soldiers march down the street.
• Camera pans into a classroom, focusing on an older man speaking to a room full of young men. In an inspiring speech, he tells them that they are the future of the fatherland and tells them that it is their duty to enlist.

• The teacher singles out a couple of the students who look unsure and glace over to another student, Paul Baumer, who the teacher calls the student's leader. Paul stands up and says he will go.
• The students are inspired by his words and rise from the seats and promise to enlist. Random shots of the students with crazy looks in their eyes.

• A group of boys (I assume are going to be the central characters) persuade their nervous classmate to join with them... Peer pressure at its finest. The class starts to sing and leaves the classroom.
• The kids arrive in the training camp, making jokes and talking about how fun the war will be as they file into their bunk room and get ready for training. Kemmerick brags to another soldier about his boots, that belonged to his father, that they are the best in the army.
• And what do you know, Himmelstoss, that postman from the beginning, is back, but not as their friendly neighborhood mailman but as their brutal and harsh drill Sergeant.
• Himmilstoss is an old timey Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (from Full Metal Jacket) He calls them a mess and stupid, but he will train that out of 'em and make them soldiers or he will kill them. He smiles as makes them lay in the mud, march, and sing, berating them all the whole time.

• However, Himmilstoss's methods work. The students seem to be getting better. But they still do not like his methods. So the night before they are set to leave Paul Baumer hatches a plan. While a very drunk Himmilstoss stumbles through the camp, the students trip him, tie him up, spank him with their swords, and drop him in the mud, finally getting their revenge.
• The new soldiers arrive in a war torn town and get their first tastes of the horrors of war as enemy bullets and bombs fly overhead.  Bain, their nervous classmate, has to be pulled up from cover because he is scared stiff. 
• The kids make their way to their bunks and get some hazing from some of the veterans. Paul asks them where they can get some food. The veterans tell Paul about the food shortage but also about Sergeant Katczinsky who knows where some food can be found.
• Enter Katczinsky with a pig on his shoulder. He tells the recruits that they must pay to eat, not money but supplies. They give him what they got and they get to eat.
• While the group is eating, a messenger come in and informs them that they have wiring detail out past the graveyard. As the truck drops the group off and starts to drive away, they watch it fade in the distance with a sad looks in their eyes.
• As they walk to the location for wiring detail, Katczinsky offers them some advice about which shells to worry about and what to do when they come.  
• While stringing up the barbed wire, a bombardment erupts, and one of the kids is blinded by the explosions and runs screaming toward the enemy and is immediately shot. One of the others runs out and retrieves the body, Katczinsky calls him foolish for risking his life for a corpse.

• When they come back to the camp they get word that they got the orders to make a long march to another location.
• Next scene: While the bombs bursting in air, The group is in what looks to be an underground bunker playing cards. The sounds of war have kept them up all night and you can see that its wearing them down. Some of the kids suffer from nightmares and nervous breakdowns. One of the kids starts to run out of the bunker and Katczinsky has to punch him out to stop him.
• Another bomb hits above and part of the bunker's supports fall making a couple of them try to run out. Katczinsky is able to stop one but Kemmerick makes it out but is almost immediately shot in the leg.
• Just as Katczinsky bring the group some food, a bunch of rats invade the bunker and the group has a good old fashion rat stompin' party.
• The bombardment stops and the group heads out for the trenches. Swarms of French infantry rush the German lines, but are caught by the barbwire and machine gun fire.

• A very realistic battle scene with very cool camera sweeps and explosions as the French soldiers advance toward the the German trenches.
• However the French soon make it to the trenches where Paul and his friends are. The French leap into the trenches, shifting the battle to close quarter hand-to-hand combat.   
• The Germans launch their counter attack and succeed in pushing the French back but are mowed down by the French machine guns. The battle ended in a draw, both sides, though much less in number, are back to where they started. The group shares a drink.

• After the battle, the boys stand in line for food but the cook refuse to start until all the company get there. Katczinsky tells him that there are only 80 left after the battle. The cook is angry because he cooked for 150 but he is ordered to give the company double rations.
• After stuffing themselves the group discuss war. They talk about the fact that they are the ones for fight and die but it is the kings and generals who get the glory and the manufacturers and business people who get rich. Katczinsky suggest that they just rope off a field and let the kings and generals battle it out with clubs, best country wins.  
• The boys depart to the dressing station to meet up with their friend Kemmerick who was wounded in battle, and ended up having his right leg amputated. Kemmerick on the verge of death explains that there are robbers who stole his watch while he was under ether. He also tells them about the pain he feels in his right foot. Upon realizing that his leg has been amputated he screams out "They've cut off my leg, why didn't they tell me, I can't walk anymore"
• They try to comfort him but explaining about prosthetic legs and the fact that he can go home soon. As they put his things under his hospital cot one of them sees Kemmericks boots and asks if he can have since he can't use them, Paul tries to stop him.
• Paul stays with Kemmerick as the others leave. Paul talks to the doctor and is told that there is nothing more he can do help his friend. Paul comes back to Kemmerick and tells him about what he can look forward to when he gets back home.

• Kemmerick starts to cry and asks him to take his boots back to his parents and if he finds his watch to take that to. Before he could finish, he dies. Paul runs to find the doctor, but the doctor ignores him. 
• A stunned Paul runs back to the others holding Kemmerick's boots and gives then to Muller, the guy who asked for them earlier. Paul tells him that Kemmerick's death has made him realize how good it is to be alive.
• The next couple shots focus on Kemmerick's boots as Muller is seen marching, running on the battlefield, shooting from trenches, but ultimately killed. Very powerful in showing the futality of war.
• While at rest, the soldiers talk about their families and their lives before the war. Paul says that the older soldiers are lucky because they have something to go back to, he and the others have only school to look forward to when they go back.
• Himmelstoss shows up and joins the fight. Soon after the battle starts, Himmelstoss falls back and cowers after being "mortally wounded" (scratched) the others call him a yellow rat, but soon mans up and runs into battle and is killed.
• Meanwhile, Paul is knocked in the head by debris and takes refuge in a shell hole.Unfortunately for him it is during the French counter attack. Soon, a french soldier jumps into Paul's hiding place, but luckily Paul is able to over power him and stabs him with his bayonet.
• With bullets flying overhead, Paul is trapped with the injured french soldier. He tries to ignore the dying man but the groans and moans make it hard and the explosion lighting the man's face makes it impossible.

• Paul, filled with sadness and remorse, Paul tries to comfort the dying man by giving him water. As morning approaches, Paul having had to listen and see the wounded man all night, become fed up. He yells "Stop it! Stop it! I can bear the rest of it. I can't listen to that! Why do you take so long to die?"
• Paul quickly regret his words and tells the French man that he won't die and he will be alright. But unfortunately it is too late the man dies. The distraught Paul begs the dead man for forgiveness. He searches the man's pocket and finds a picture of the man's wife and child, he promises to take care of them.
• When night rolls around, Paul is able to climb out of the shell hole and make it back to the his camp. After relaying the story to Katczinsky, he is told not to worry about it, that that's what they're there for, and that war is war.
• The soldiers finally get a break. They are seen singing, drinking, and eating in a small town  tavern. Paul and Albert talk about a girls and soon talk about taking a bath.
• While taking a bath in a nearby creek or river, the four Germans see three french girls walking on the other side of the river. The soldiers offer them food, the girls accept, but right before the men swim to the other side, a German guard tells them that the other side of the river is forbidden.   
• Later that night, the boys cross the river, the boys are given some clothes and enjoy the girls company for the night even though they don't speak the same language. Paul tells her that he will always remember her.

• The group is seen marching towards a new offensive, but soon they are fire upon. Paul is injured on his side and his friend Albert has his leg injured. The two are taken to a Catholic hospital. The man in the bed next to Paul tells them about a dieing room, where the nuns take the mortally wounded patients to die, because he never sees any of them brought back.
• Paul is taken out of the room to change his bandaging, but he thinks he is getting taken to the dieing room.
• Albert is brought in to the hospital room. He asks if they cut off his leg, he is given a mirror to see for himself. He sees his missing leg and screams that he would kill himself the first chance he gets because he doesn't want to live as a cripple.
• Paul is wheeled back into the room, joyously yelling that he came back. Later on, Paul is able to leave. As Albert watches him leave he takes out a picture of them and covers up the faces.  
• After his recovery, Paul is given permission to return to his hometown and return to civilian life. He returns home and sees that his mother is bedridden. She starts to cry when shes sees him, because she knows that he isn't her baby isn't back, Paul is a soldier now.

• He leaves the room to change out of his uniform and talks to his sister about his old butterfly collection.
• Next scene: Paul is in a bar with his father and some his father's friends.  The others at the table voice their misconceptions and ideas about the war and Paul tries to tell them the truth without going into to much detail. Paul says,"When you get in it, war isn't the way it looks back here." The others at the table argue as Paul leaves without being noticed.
• He soon comes upon the same professor making the same speech he was giving in the beginning. The teacher sees Paul and asks him to relate to the student some tales of honor and duty. Paul says he can't. However, the professor and the students urge him to make a speech, Paul agrees.
• But instead of the impassioned and heroic speeches they were expecting, Paula delivers a somber and realistic view of the tragedy of war. "It's dirty and painful to die for your country... And it's easier to say it than to watch it happen" The students call him a coward. "Three years we've had of it -- four years. And every day a year, and every night a century. And our bodies are earth. And our thoughts are clay. And we sleep and eat with death. And we're done for, because you can't live that way and keep anything inside you." He leaves.

• Paul and his mother exchanged there farewells, she warns him about woman and the front. She also wants to have him get a safer job when he back. She kisses him before she walks out of the room.
• When Paul returns to his company he is saddened to see that most of the friends were killed and are replaced by new green recruits.
• He finds one of his old friends, Tjaden, he explains about the food shortage and the war. Paul asks about Katczinsky and is pleased to know he is still alive. He sets out to find him.
• Paul finds him on his return to the camp. Kat asks Paul about his leave and is told about the scene at the school and the bar.
• As they walk back, an enemy plane drops a bomb and injures Kat's leg. Paul carries Kat on his back and they talk about their plans for after the war. A second bomb is dropped. Paul yells "You can't get both of us in one day!" The camera shows that the second bomb has killed Kat but Paul doesn't realize it. Paul continues talking to the dead man reminiscing about the first time they met and how he taught them to dodge shells.

• Paul returns to the camp and finally finds out that he is dead. He walks out dazed and saddened by the death of his friend.
• Next scene: Paul is seen resting with the rest of his company in a trench. Paul sees a butterfly. Forgetting all about the dangers of war, he reaches for it. A enemy sniper is seen taking aim and shooting. Paul's hand jerks back and goes limp.
• The last scene shows a huge graveyard and super-imposed ghostly images of soldiers as they look back at the wiring-detail truck leaving (throwback to the scene earlier in the movie)
• The End.

Review:

•  Wow. Such a good movie. If that movie were made today it still would be great. The story was great. Following a group of misguided students transform into soldiers, only to find out that war is not what their father and teachers had told them. Epic action-packed battle scenes and touching and tear inducing scenes as Paul must watch in agony as death surrounds him, however to break the drama there was comedic relief spread throughout. This movie shows the brutal truth about war in a very cinematic way. Technology-wise is also was outstanding with only a few flaws. Reading info about the film it is one of the first movies to use a crane for a few of the shots. For example, the main battle scene show huge camera sweeps across the battle field as both French and German soldiers fall as soon as they enter the frame. There were some audio problems here and there but nevertheless, the movie was very good. The acting was very believable. Paul Baumer played by Lew Ayres was very good and this movie made him a huge star. Did end in a sad note, with Paul's death, but hey this is an anti-war movie, so I understand they didn't want to glamorize war. Overall, a great movie deserving of all it's awards.

Next Movie:

• Cimarron

The Broadway Melody (1929)

Though it is only the second week, I am cutting this very close. Technically, I do have a couple more days before the week is up. But for the future, I will try to watch a movie and get my review posted during the first part of the week. Some new additions to the blog and posts: A "Films  Also Nominated" section and a new logo. Anyway, Here is the next movie, the second movie on my list, the 1929 Oscar winner "The Broadway Melody."

Films Also Nominated:

• Alibi (Crime Film)
• In Old Arizona (Western)
• Hollywood Revue (Musical-Comedy)
• The Patriot (Semi-biographical film)

Movie Found On:

• Megavideo

Play-by-Play:

• The Broadway Melody: The first musical and sound picture to win the Oscar.
• Starts off with aerial views of New York with the melody of "Give My Regards to Broadway."
• According to Wikipedia this is the song's film Debut.
• First Scene: Gleason Music Publishing Company
• A few rooms with different Musical Acts performing
• Eddie Kearns showcasing his new song to (John Waters Look-a-like) Jimmy.

• Crowd gathers to listen and like most modern musical numbers, the other musicians, even though it is a brand new song, play along amazingly well.
• Eddie tells a couple chorus girls to to take a hike because he is using the Mahoney sisters instead of them.
• Enter the Mahoney sisters. Queenie (The younger pretty one) and the oddly named Hank (The older smart one). A sister singing act from small town, PA
• Funny scene to set them up as small town girls. Hank is shown with a suitcase full of stolen "mementos" from the train and working together with Queenie to get out of having to give the bellhop a tip.

• Queenie expresses her fears: Leaving a place where there are well known and going to New York where they are just another sister act. Hank consoles her.
• Enter Uncle Jed. Stuttering (I'll assume) manager from back home. Warning them of the dangers of New York, but gets shot down and leaves.
• Eddie coming straight from Gleason, comes to the hotel to meet the sisters. We find out that Hank and him are to be married.Eddie obvioulsy likes what he sees in
  Queenie, probably gonna cuase some problemns later.
• Eddie tells the girls that they are to be singing his new song "The Broadway Melody", he sings again.

• Next Scene: Zanfield's theater during rehearsal of the revue.
• New girl hazing, one of the dancers puts a bag on the piano, ruining the sister's audition.
• Zanfield says he may be able to use Queenie but not Hank.
• After a couple more snide comments from one of the dancers towards Hank, a catfight ensues.

• Queenie pleads with Zanfield to let Hank join, he agrees. Eddie sees Queenie stand up for Hank and starts to like her, but Queenie likes him too, but she couldn't do that to Hank.
• During the final dress rehearsal, Queenie and Hank exchanges pre-show jitters. Also, there are problems with the music, spotlight, wardrobe and one of the dancers fall off a high perch. 
• Zanfield, thinking that the beginning is to slow, he decides to cut the sisters from the revue. They also decides to replace the fallen dancer with Queenie and she does very well. Hank is jealous.
• Eddie invites Queenie and Hank to dinner, Queenie feigns a headache, but soon they find out that she has a date Jock Warner. Hank doesn't like it, but Queenie still says she will go with him, I assume so she can't get her mind off of Eddie.
• After their dinner, Hank comes into the apartment and sees that Queenie didn't go on the date after all.
• A couple weeks later on Queenie's birthday, Jock shows up with a flowers, and tells her that he is throwing a party for her, but she makes him leave. Eddie shows up and tells Queenie about Jock's reputation. They share a cigarette. 
• Hank goes to Uncle Jed and she tells him about the situation with Queenie. He says if Queenie wants to stay in New York he can pair Hank up with another blonde and book a 30-week job for them.
• Back to Eddie and Queenie, he sings to her "You Were Meant for Me." Eddie swoops in for the kiss just as Hank comes in.  So now she knows just how Eddie feels.

• Hank shows Eddie Queenie's Birthday cake and the ring she plans to give to her also she tells him about the party she is throwing for her, but Queenie decides to go Jock's party instead.
• Hank is shown praying and crying that she has lost Queenie, but she's happy that she still has Eddie.
• At Jock's party, the musician start to play "You Were Meant for Me" Queenie tells them to stop and they start to play "The Broadway Melody."
• After Queenie and Jock dance, he gives her a diamond bracelet and offers to buy her a car and an apartment on Park Ave.
• Back at the apartment, a very drunk Queenie starts telling Hank about the party and about Jock's gift of a bracelet instead of a ring and about Jock's offer. Hank tells Queenie about what she deserves, not Jock but a man who will love her and treat her right like Eddie treats her. But Queenie doesn't think she deserves that life.

• Back to the theater, a few more acts in the revue gets performed. One is about a marriage. Another is called "The Boy Friend" and is sung by The Mahoney Sisters. 
• Hank and Eddie confronts Queenie again about Jock but Queenie doesn't want to hear either of them. Hank leaves to the dressing room and Eddie stays and talks to Queenie. 
• Again, Hank tries to tell Queenie that Jock isn't the marrying type and they get in a fight and Queenie pushes hank to the ground and is about to storm out.

• Eddie comes in just as Queenie is about to leave. Eddie says that he is mad enough that he would kill Jock. Eddie tries to restrain her but she pushes him off and screams that she hates him and she runs out.
• Hank sees Queenie get into a car with Jock and tells Eddie that she knows that he loves Queenie, that she was stringing him along for the act, that she would never marry him, and that he is a coward for letting Jock take Queenie instead of fighting for her.
• As soon as Eddie leaves, Hank breaks down and cries, saying that she does want to be his wife.
• Hank calls Uncle Jed to accept his offer with a new partner.
• Meanwhile, Jock is being awfully rude with Queenie and is not letting her leave. Eddie barges in a fight in a fight with Jock, but is quickly punched to the ground.

• Seeing how Eddie risked himself for her dumps Jock and throws the bracelet her gave her to the ground. Jock has Eddie thrown out, Queenie runs after him. Queenie wants Eddie to take her home.
• Fast forward a bit. Hank receives a letter from Eddie and Queenie saying that they had a great honeymoon and that they will be visiting her. They arrive. Hank and Eddie have an awkward moment. Queenie and Eddie invite Hank to come to Long Island and live with them. Hank declines and says she prefer hotels where she has servants. Uncle Jed calls Hank a trooper.
• Queenie replacement Flo come in and starts flirting with Eddie, Queenie gets up in anger, but quickly Hank steps in and makes Flo stop.
• Hank and Flo show everybody their act but get cut short because their about to miss their train. Just before they leave Eddie, Hank,and Queenie share in a hug.

• After Hank leaves, Queenie feels bad for her because Hank never got  real break and that she wasn't any help. Eddie consoles her.
• Flo talks to Uncle Jed about the act and he says "It's better to star in Oshkosh that starve on Broadway" Hank says don't worry, she will get them to Broadway soon.
• Credits Roll.

Review:

•  The movie wasn't all bad, but in my opinion it could of been a lot better. Basically the plot of the movie is this: Two small town sisters go to New York to star in a Broadway revue, The younger steals the show as well as the love of the older sister's fiance. Sound's like a drama to me, but they made it more of a comedy. They through in a lot of unneeded comedy scenes and underplayed more of interesting parts of the plot. For example, Hank could of been even a little upset that Eddie loved her sister instead of her (but she wasn't) or shown as a heroic martyr sacrificing her love for Eddie in order to save Queenie from Jock (But she wasn't).  Reading Wikipedia it says that this was one of the first musicals and was a great success but has since been labeled as weak and cliche-ridden and that it only only won because the other nominees were equally unimpressive. Stuttering Uncle Jed got old quick. However Hank, played by Bessie Love, was easily the best character in the movie. But in my opinion, the movie does have some problems. However, in the end it was 1929, you must put yourself in that mindset, many of the flaws I find are because I'm used to newer modern movies. Overall, The Broadway Melody is a good movie and deserves a watch just because it's the first of it's kind.

Next Movie:

• All Quiet on the Western Front