Week-End at the Waldorf (Weekend at the Waldorf) (1945)
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69% of users liked it
(250 ratings)
Weekend at the Waldorf is an unabashed remake of MGM's 1932 Oscar-winner Grand Hotel: in fact, at several points in the story, the cast makes pointed references to the earlier film. The posh Waldorf Hotel in the heart of New York is the setting for several plots and subplots. Ginger Rogers plays… More Weekend at the Waldorf is an unabashed remake of MGM's 1932 Oscar-winner Grand Hotel: in fact, at several points in the story, the cast makes pointed references to the earlier film. The posh Waldorf Hotel in the heart of New York is the setting for several plots and subplots. Ginger Rogers plays the Garbo counterpart, a successful but severely depressed movie star who wants to be alone. Walter Pigeon steps into John Barrymore's role, sort of; whereas Barrymore was a thief posing as nobility, Pigeon is a war correspondent posing as a thief. Hotel stenographer Lana Turner (originally Joan Crawford) latches onto tycoon Edward Arnold (originally Wallace Beery) in hopes of a life of luxury. And, in the film's biggest adaptation stretch, Van Johnson is cast as a war hero who, about to undergo life-threatening surgery, wants to thoroughly enjoy what may be his last days on earth. It takes a while to figure this out, but Johnson is supposed to be the character played in Grand Hotel by Lionel Barrymore: the meek clerk who, upon discovering that he's dying, blows his life savings on one last fling. On the whole, Weekend at the Waldorf is a lot more light-hearted than Grand Hotel, as indicated by the expository character played by humorist Robert Benchley, not to mention the presence of Xavier Cugat as the Waldorf's orchestra leader. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Z. Leonard
- Written By
- Vicki Baum, Sam Spewack, Bella Spewack, Samuel Spewack, Guy Bolton
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Oct 1, 1945 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 30, 1993
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
I wanted to check-out early, even though the Waldorf-Astoria certainly has its charms.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ginger Rogers
as Irene Malvern
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Lana Turner
as Bunny Smith
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Walter Pidgeon
as Chip Collyer
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Van Johnson
as Capt. James Hollis
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Edward Arnold
as Martin X. Edley
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Keenan Wynn
as Oliver Webson
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Phyllis Thaxter
as Cynthia Drew
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Robert Benchley
as Randy Morton
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Leon Ames
as Henry Burton
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Lina Romay
as Juanita
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Samuel S. Hinds
as Mr. Jessup
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George Zucco
as Bey of Aribajan
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Warner Anderson
as Dr. Robert Campbell
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Irving Bacon
as Sam Skelly
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Nana Bryant
as Mrs. H. Davenport Drew
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Naomi Childers
as Night Maid
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Dorothy Christy
as Cashier
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Constance Collier
as Mme. Jaleska
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Cora Sue Collins
as Jane Rand
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Dick Crockett
as Bell Captain
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Hal K. Dawson
as First Clerk
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Rosemary De Camp
as Anna
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Jacqueline de Wit
as Kate Douglas
- Ella Ethridge
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Rex Evans
as Pianist
- Franklin Farnum
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Bess Flowers
as Guest
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Byron Foulger
as Barber
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Arno Frey
as Maitre d'Hotel
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Porter Hall
as Stevens
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William Halligan
as Chief Jennings
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Russell Hicks
as McPherson
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Dick Hirbe
as Newsboy
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Gladden James
as Assistant Manager
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Michael Kirby
as Lt. John Rand
- Hope Landin
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Ruth Lee
as The Woman
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Jack Luden
as Clerk
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Miles Mander
as British Secretary
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Moroni Olsen
as House Detective Blake
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Frank Puglia
as Emile
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Gordon Richards
as Headwaiter
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Gertrude Short
as Telephone Operator
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Wyndham Standing
as Literary Type
- Ruth Warren
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John Wengraf
as Alex
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Charles C. Wilson
as Mr. Johns
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Harry Barris
as Anna's Boyfriend
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Xavier Cugat
as Himself
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Bob Graham
as Singer
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William Tannen
as Photographer
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William Hall
as Cassidy the Doorman
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Estelle Etterre
as Assistant Florist
- Sandra Morgan
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Carli Elinor
as Orchestra Leader
- Shirley Lew
- Karen Lind
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Billy Louie
as Chinese Girl
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Frank McClure
as Florist
