"Hotel" is an interesting film set in New Orleans in the early 1960s. It's based on the 1965 novel of the same title, by Arthur Hailey. The British-born novelist was known for tremendous plots in several best-selling books. His other top sellers include "Airport" in 1968 and "The Moneychangers" in 1975. Most of his novels were turned into movies or TV series. All were highly successful on the screen and TV. Besides this early film, a TV series ran on ABC from 1983-1988, called "Arthur Hailey's Hotel."
This film, as the book, is about life in and around the St. Gregory Hotel. It revolves around the manager, Ian McDemott, played by Rod Taylor. The hotel is the center of the picture, with the manager holding together several mini-plots around hotel guests and employees. While mostly daytime drama, the plot includes some crime, mystery, romance and excitement in the form of an elusive hotel thief and a failing elevator.
Hailey may have been inspired to write his story by the success of the 1932 film, "Grand Hotel," and the book it was based on by Austrian writer Vicki Baum ("People in a Hotel," of 1929). Of course this doesn't come near the level of the characters or drama of the 1932 film masterpiece set in early 20th century Berlin.
But Warner Brothers took a shot at the earlier film by having a duke and duchess staying at the St. Gregory, with big names stars of the past, Merle Oberon and Michael Rennie. Among other big names of the screen are Karl Malden and Melvyn Douglas. And, the film has a good list of other names in supporting roles.
Almost all the film takes place within the hotel, with little outside scenery of New Orleans, although some of it was shot there. It's an interesting look at the life of a hotel manager and the skills he or she needs to deal with a variety of little problems and issues each day. The main subplot - the impending sale or bailout of the hotel because of its financial problems, is the source of much of the story and drama.
The cast are all fine but none are exceptional. And, the plot doesn't grab one's interest. One very annoying thing in the film is the background music during scenes with the thief, Keycase Mine, played by Karl Malden. It also seemed strange that he would be smiling constantly, even while entering guest rooms at night to steal money and jewelry. His role was nothing like that of John Barrymore's Baron von Geigern in "Grand Hotel."
"Hotel" is interesting and somewhat entertaining, but it's not something to spend more than a few dollars to see. The movie does have a nostalgic ending.
This film, as the book, is about life in and around the St. Gregory Hotel. It revolves around the manager, Ian McDemott, played by Rod Taylor. The hotel is the center of the picture, with the manager holding together several mini-plots around hotel guests and employees. While mostly daytime drama, the plot includes some crime, mystery, romance and excitement in the form of an elusive hotel thief and a failing elevator.
Hailey may have been inspired to write his story by the success of the 1932 film, "Grand Hotel," and the book it was based on by Austrian writer Vicki Baum ("People in a Hotel," of 1929). Of course this doesn't come near the level of the characters or drama of the 1932 film masterpiece set in early 20th century Berlin.
But Warner Brothers took a shot at the earlier film by having a duke and duchess staying at the St. Gregory, with big names stars of the past, Merle Oberon and Michael Rennie. Among other big names of the screen are Karl Malden and Melvyn Douglas. And, the film has a good list of other names in supporting roles.
Almost all the film takes place within the hotel, with little outside scenery of New Orleans, although some of it was shot there. It's an interesting look at the life of a hotel manager and the skills he or she needs to deal with a variety of little problems and issues each day. The main subplot - the impending sale or bailout of the hotel because of its financial problems, is the source of much of the story and drama.
The cast are all fine but none are exceptional. And, the plot doesn't grab one's interest. One very annoying thing in the film is the background music during scenes with the thief, Keycase Mine, played by Karl Malden. It also seemed strange that he would be smiling constantly, even while entering guest rooms at night to steal money and jewelry. His role was nothing like that of John Barrymore's Baron von Geigern in "Grand Hotel."
"Hotel" is interesting and somewhat entertaining, but it's not something to spend more than a few dollars to see. The movie does have a nostalgic ending.