WEEKEND AT THE WALDORF

US, 1945, 130 minutes, Black and White.
Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon, Lana Turner, Van Johnson, Robert Benchley, Edward Arnold, Phyllis Thaxter, Keenan Wynn, Leon Ames.
Directed by Robert Z.Leonard.

Weekend at the Waldorf is an MGM mid-40s all star romantic drama. It is an adaptation of Grand Hotel, transferred to New York's Waldorf Astoria (With some explicit reference by Ginger Rogers and Walter Pigeon to the original). The film is much milder and glossier than the original.

1. entertaining story? Cross-section of people? The hotel life in New York?

2. MGM production values, black and white photography, the atmosphere of the hotel, Xavier Cugat and the music? The stars?

3. The title, the focus on the short time, peoples interactions, the style of the hotel?

4. Robert Benchly as the journalist, his voice over commentary? His own character, the guests in the hotel, taking the dog for a walk, the vet? The humour about the animals?

5. Irene as the isolated film star, feeling alone, not wanting to face crowds? Here success and career? Her maid, the set-up about the jewel thief? Mistaking Chip for the thief? Her reaction, confidant that she could control him? The experience of the evening, the discovery of the truth, her coldness? Yet attraction to him? the friendship with the doctor, going to his wedding, the visit of his fiancee and her fears, pretending that Chip was her husband? the ceremony and Chip's behaviour? The breaking of the contract? Her relationship with her agent? Chip flying away - and a future for her. Chip, the war correspondent, his reputation, need for sleep/ The clash with Martin Edley? The encounter with the budding reporter/ Helping him with the case - and hiding in the laundry basket? Going into Irene's room, playing the game with her, the evening, her pretending that he was her husband, following it up, the wedding? The breaking off of the contract? The future?

6. Martin Edley, his deals, Jessop going to the country (and giving his room to the honeymooners)? Edley and his deals, the stenographer, wanting to set her up as his mistress and hostess? The bey? English translations common money deals? Dining out? His henchmen? The newspapers, the expose? The bey breaking off the financial deals? Jessop talking with the bey?

7. Bunny, the work of the stenographer, working for the doctor and hearing about Jim? Working for Edley? Discussions with her fellow worker, the Park Avenue apartment Her own story about tenth Avenue and getting out of it? Meeting Jim, knowing the truth, agreeing for the date? Falling in love? The dilemma - and going to Edley's dinner? Dancing with Jim? His pleading with her? Her decision, change of heart, catching him, accompanying him to Washington for the operation? Jim, his background, the doctor and the letter, the operation, the will to live? Getting the stenographer to do his will? Attracted to Bunny The outing, the hopes for the date? Her standing him up, the dance together, his pleading with her? His buddy Xavier Cugat an the music sheet, playing the music? Going to Washington, Bunny coming with him?

8. Edley and the young reporter, investigative journalism - and the awkwardness of the reporter, helped by Chip, the tablecloth and the expose?

9. Bob and Cynthia, the wedding, Irene, Cynthia’s worry, being re-assured, the happy wedding? The fussy mother?

10. Xavier Cugat, his music, the clash with his singer and her leaving, returning the light touch for the human interest stories?

11. Popular kind of best seller entertainment of the 40s?