'Life—Stark and Realistic ”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7191, 24 June 1933, Page 8

'Life—Stark and Realistic ”

VAST DEPTH OF “GRAND HOTEL" “It is most interesting to watch the psychological reaction and to hear the opinions of a picture like ‘Grand Hotel,'" said Mr E. R. Greenfield, a representative of Motro-Goldwyn-May-er, Ltd., who is visiting Palmerston North for the presentation of this notable motion picture at the Regent Theatre next week. “Is anyone going to see it in a lighthearted mood; looking for mere sentiment and a romanticstory with a happy ending, the picture will probably prove disappointing,’’ lie continued; "but to the person of discernment, to him who can appreciate the vast depth of ‘Grand Hotel/ it will be the greatest pleasure and entertainment the picture theatre has ever offered; it will provide that person with such food for thought that for days, nay, weeks, ho will still be thinking of it, discussing it, and seeing more and more of the stark and realistic facts of humanity. “ ‘Grand Hotel/ ” he said, “is a picture that provides an amazing study of everyday life. Tho authoress, Vicki Baum, had, it seemed, choseu the loose threads of her story at random, but not haphazardly, as represented by half a dozen people, unknown to each other, who meet at a largo hotel in Berlin. These single strands she weaves together in a most intriguing pattern, and in so doing has interwoven the destinies of her characters so thut for a period of 48 hours ia the hotel their lives seem inextricably fastened together. Yet when the finish of the story comes, there is no end, but with the artistry of a genius, she skilfully separates these threads, and tho characters go each his or her own way; only tho hotel itself remains, with its revolving door still turning! Thus is Jif e! Without camouflage, without i frills or tapestries. Actual life uncovered, with all its stark and at times ethereal realism.

“There is no definite happy ending, no definite conclusion, except that found in tho minds of the audience. This is the fascination of the picture; each one sees something different, to each mind a different sequel is suggested; it is this that has mado the novel one of the most talked of hooks for many years; this is why, as soon as the picture is released iu any town it becomes the one topic of conversation —in the drawing-room, at the bridge table, in the restaurant, at the club; in train, tram and bus, for days you will hear ‘Grand Hotel’ being discussed everywhere, and I admit, sometimes adversely, but this very adverse criticism is proof of the greatness of the theme. Many have seen the picture a second and a third time, and each time sec more and more of its vast depth of thought. “But don’t lot mo mislead you,” Mr Greenfield went on. “Don’t let the greatness of the story overshadow tbo genius of its presentation. The individual. characters are portrayed with such consummate skill, such startling vividness, that you actually live with those people iu the hotel. Those who have travelled abroad will recognise in them the counterparts of people they havo met or observed in the large cities of the world. You arc taken into their private lives, into their bedrooms, into the conference room; you live actually with them, and for two hours you sit enthralled. People come, and people go! And nothing everhappens —apparently it seems. The acting and direction arc superb.” In reply to a question, Mr Greenfield gave an emphatic denial that the film had been “cut” by tho censor. It would bo shown in Palmerston Nortfi exactly as it was shown in England and elsewhere. There had been delay in its presentation in New Zealand, but this was due entirely to business difficulties over its release. “Tho public has long been demanding something different from, something bigger and deeper than, tho ordinary love theme of the modern talkie. In ‘Grand Hotel,’ which follows tho book very closely, they have their answer,” concluded Mr Greenfield.