Week-End at the Waldorf (Weekend at the Waldorf) (1945)

67% of users liked it
(245 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 the… 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
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

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
I wanted to check-out early, even though the Waldorf-Astoria certainly has its charms.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Fluffy remake of Grand Hotel, on its own enjoyable but a mere patch on the original. Ginger and Walter come off best, Lana is at the peak of her beauty but is poorly matched with Johnson, it's highly unlikely that the doofus that he plays would ever be able to attract a dish like… More
Fluffy remake of Grand Hotel, on its own enjoyable but a mere patch on the original. Ginger and Walter come off best, Lana is at the peak of her beauty but is poorly matched with Johnson, it's highly unlikely that the doofus that he plays would ever be able to attract a dish like her.
Mason W

A lovely film from MGM in 1945. Lana Turner, Van Johnson, and Ginger Rogers shine in this story of various people staying for a time at the famous Waldorf-Astoria in NYC....a gem!

Cast

            Ginger Rogers as Irene Malvern

            Lana Turner as Bunny Smith

            Walter Pidgeon as Chip Collyer

            Van Johnson as Capt. James Hollis

            Edward Arnold as Martin X. Edley

            Keenan Wynn as Oliver Webson

            Phyllis Thaxter as Cynthia Drew

            Robert Benchley as Randy Morton

            Leon Ames as Henry Burton

            Lina Romay as Juanita

            Samuel S. Hinds as Mr. Jessup

            George Zucco as Bey of Aribajan

            Warner Anderson as Dr. Robert Campbell

            Irving Bacon as Sam Skelly

            Nana Bryant as Mrs. H. Davenport Drew

            Naomi Childers as Night Maid

            Dorothy Christy as Cashier

            Constance Collier as Mme. Jaleska

            Cora Sue Collins as Jane Rand

            Dick Crockett as Bell Captain

            Hal K. Dawson as First Clerk

            Rosemary De Camp as Anna

            Jacqueline de Wit as Kate Douglas

            Ella Ethridge
            
            Rex Evans as Pianist

            Franklin Farnum
            
            Bess Flowers as Guest

            Byron Foulger as Barber

            Arno Frey as Maitre d'Hotel

            Porter Hall as Stevens

            William Halligan as Chief Jennings

            Russell Hicks as McPherson

            Dick Hirbe as Newsboy

            Gladden James as Assistant Manager

            Michael Kirby as Lt. John Rand

            Hope Landin
            
            Ruth Lee as The Woman

            Jack Luden as Clerk

            Miles Mander as British Secretary

            Moroni Olsen as House Detective Blake

            Frank Puglia as Emile

            Gordon Richards as Headwaiter

            Gertrude Short as Telephone Operator

            Wyndham Standing as Literary Type

            Ruth Warren
            
            John Wengraf as Alex

            Charles C. Wilson as Mr. Johns

            Harry Barris as Anna's Boyfriend

            Xavier Cugat as Himself

            Bob Graham as Singer

            William Tannen as Photographer

            William Hall as Cassidy the Doorman

            Estelle Etterre as Assistant Florist

            Sandra Morgan
            
            Carli Elinor as Orchestra Leader

            Shirley Lew
            
            Karen Lind
            
            Billy Louie as Chinese Girl

            Frank McClure as Florist
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