Week-End at the Waldorf (1945)

Anything can happen during a weekend at New York's Waldorf-Astoria: a glamorous movie star meets a world-weary war correspondent and mistakes him for a jewel thief; a soldier learns that ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Sam Spewack (screen play), Bella Spewack (screen play),

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ginger Rogers	...	Irene Malvern
Lana Turner	...	Bunny Smith
Walter Pidgeon	...	Chip Collyer
Van Johnson	...	Captain James Hollis
Edward Arnold	...	Martin X. Edley
Keenan Wynn	...	Oliver Webson
Robert Benchley	...	Randy Morton
Phyllis Thaxter	...	Cynthia Drew
Leon Ames	...	Henry Burton
Lina Romay	...	Juanita
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Mr. Jessup
Porter Hall	...	Stevens
George Zucco	...	Bey of Aribajan
Miles Mander	...	British Secretary
Frank Puglia	...	Emile

Storyline

Anything can happen during a weekend at New York's Waldorf-Astoria: a glamorous movie star meets a world-weary war correspondent and mistakes him for a jewel thief; a soldier learns that without an operation he'll die and so looks for one last romance with a beautiful but ambitious stenographer; a cub reporter tries to get the goods on a shady man's dealing with a foreign potentate. And it all happens in the opulent, grandiose New York landmark hotel as a sort of tongue-in-cheek take-off on the classic movie Grand Hotel.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | waldorf astoria hotel | based on play

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Taglines:

It's always exciting and Romantic!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

October 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aqui Começa a Vida

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Loew's

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The ensemble cast never actually all appeared together.

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Goofs

While Chip and Irene argue at the breakfast table in her room, Chip is shown putting butter or jam on his toast with a knife in his right hand. In the next shot, Chip has his right hand in his pocket.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits the prinipal roles were credited as the character's name and occupation.

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Connections

References Grand Hotel (1932)

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Soundtracks

"Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)"
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Written by Richard Wagner
Played at a wedding

User Reviews

Despite being a bit derivative, it's awfully entertaining

This film is a reworking of the plot from the magnificent GRAND HOTEL (1932). While both films were made by MGM, it really isn't fair to compare them, as there were many differences between them (all the many plots were changed or enormously reworked). Plus, GRAND HOTEL was so perfect that any film compared to it will no doubt be seen as a disappointment--but WEEKEND AT THE WALDORF was anything but a disappointment. There was enough fresh and new plot as well as excellence all around that I strongly advise viewers to watch them both and consider each a unique viewing experience.

While Walter Pidgeon, Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold and Lana Turner (among others) can't quite compare to the cast of GRAND HOTEL, this is still an amazing lineup of stars--even for the star-laden MGM. Plus, all the stars were at their best--thanks, in part, to exceptional writing and slick production values. Each of the subplots worked very well--particularly the one with Rogers and Pidgeon, as it made me laugh out loud many times! I could explain all the plots and critique each one, but other reviewers have already done this. The bottom line is that this film exudes quality and is highly entertaining. By the time the film is completed, you will no doubt feel quite content with the resolution of the film.