This star-studded soap opera, winner of the Best Picture Oscar for 1931-'32, still floats, despite some slow patches (the dialogue-laden scenes reveals its origin as a play). In a deluxe Berlin hotel, down-on-his-luck playboy turned jewel thief (John Barrymore) romances the fading and neurotic ballerina (Garbo), while determined stenographer (Crawford) has her eyes set on a rich and ruthless capitalist (Beery). Meanwhile, dying sad-sack accountant (Lionel Barrymore) checks in for a last hurrah. What may come as a surprise is that, among this illustrious cast, it is Crawford who stands out. Her acting style is much more understated than Garbo’s swooning. Her charisma even upstages the Great Profile. It’s no wonder John Barrymore playfully asks her in their pre-Code banter, “I don’t suppose you’d take some dictation from me sometime?” On the other hand, his brother Lionel acts up a storm, trying one’s sympathy.

DVD Extras: These will strongly appeal to film buffs. The breathlessly narrated making-of documentary is filled with interesting facts; only two weeks after retakes to beef-up Garbo’s part were completed, the film premiered. The newsreel of that premiere features Hollywood icons on the red carpet such as Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, and an up-and-coming Clark Gable, as well as one-time box office champ, William Haines. Kent Turner
April 20, 2004