Show Stal Cast At Ait W Work on oa Grand Hotel HOLLYWOOD Feb 27 The 27 The Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood Hol Hol- lywood idea of what a great metropolitan metropolitan metropolitan metro metro- politan hotel should be covers two complete sound stages and glistens with futuristic decorations and modem modern mod mod- em ern Innovations Unless hotel builders have been busy lately its it's a hotel such ns as never was on land or sea The movies with a freedom de denied denied denied de- de nied the sta stage e even when it resorts to a R revolving platform for quick scenery changes usually go the theater theater theater the the- ater one better In settings but the film version of Grand Hotel will shame the theater at least in floor space The principal Innovation Innovation and and a ai Hollywood idea we believe believe is is the I circular registration desk in the center center center cen cen- ter of the lobby reminiscent of the information bureau in New Yorks York's Grand Central station Its It's all lavish in contrast to the comfortable and rather antiquated splendor of the stage piece but why not Ov Or vastly more than new hostelry ideas however we believed would be the human comedy in progress progress progress ress on this set where there one director Edmund Goulding is tasked with the rather colossal job of making a picture pic picture pie pie- ture in which half a dozen stars besides besides besides be be- sides scores of atmosphere players take part If the job is taxing Goulding's diplomatic powers he doesn't show it When we visited the set the other other other oth oth- er day need we mention it was Garbos Garbo's day off Goulding was showing the two John and Lionel how he wanted a certain scene done and they were all hitting it 11 of off nicel nicely Joan Crawford whose role of doubtless has been built up to be worthy of her stardom was engrossed in a book aW away from the cameras and Jean Hersholt whose part of in the stage play was infinitesimal but will receive padding also was wandering around visiting with the atmosphere Of jealousy we found no in indications in- in or of of course they wouldn't be stars if it they weren't good actors but they're being beinE generous in praise of each other Much of the directors director's problem handling a star crew accustomed to Individual is being beinE simplified simpli simpli- fied tied by the plan to make Grand Hotel Hotel Ho Ho- tel in 12 reels for road showing thus denying none of ot the players a share of footage commensurate with his im im- un- un |