Week-End at the Waldorf
Week-End at the Waldorf
NR | 04 October 1945 (USA)
Week-End at the Waldorf Trailers

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.

Reviews
Hellen

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

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Lucybespro

It is a performances centric movie

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Nayan Gough

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

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Tobias Burrows

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

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mbribel

Sometimes you just want to watch a movie that is not too "deep" from an earlier era like the 1940's. Walter Pidgeon is the absolute stand-out here. Surprisingly funny and yet combined with a no-nonsense attitude, his performance easily stands-up to Ginger Rogers' iciness (until of course she melts). The other star of the movie is the Waldorf Hotel itself. It's absolutely fascinating to see the inner workings of what must have been state-of-the-art hospitality service. Lastly, although I'm not a big fan of either Lana Turner or Van Johnson, they're both effective and touching. If you're looking for art this is not it, however, if you're looking for something pleasant this will certainly do.

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vert001

As everyone agrees, WEEKEND AT THE WALDORF follows the outline of GRAND HOTEL while radically lightening its tone. It's structured by three parallel and occasionally intertwining stories connected mostly by its setting, the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. The fraudulent schemes of Edward Arnold are so woefully underwritten that they hardly count. The heart of the movie lies in the other two plot-lines, a romantic comedy verging on screwball between lonely, overworked actress Ginger Rogers and burned-out war correspondent Walter Pidgeon, and a sentimental romance between wounded war veteran Van Johnson and gold- digging stenographer Lana Turner. The former is pretty funny and the latter rather touching, but the inter-cutting between them does neither any favors. They might have done better as separate, and considerably shorter, movies in their own right. As it stands, the film is way too long. Heck, around the two hour mark we stop everything cold for a couple of mediocre musical numbers!Which is not to say that there are not considerable virtues in WALDORF. The interior sets are amazing, you would think that you really were at the hotel, and we are given a good idea of the immense effort that goes into running such a magnificent establishment. It's the Waldorf itself that is (quite intentionally) the movie's true main character. And the human performances ain't bad, either. Walter Pidgeon, normally rather stodgy to my eyes, is charming and clever and witty to a degree that I've never seen from him elsewhere. He shows surprising chemistry with Ginger Rogers, who gives a cool and amusing performance as the kind of character she would often portray (I'm tempted to say, would be saddled with) for much of her later career, a successful yet unhappy actress. Lana Turner is okay in a role that could have used considerable expansion. Van Johnson's performance seems problematic to me. In and of himself he presents us with an immensely likable character who is a pleasure to watch, but what sense does this make of the character? He appears remarkably healthy for someone who has only a 50/50 chance of making it till next Wednesday. And why would his soldier have no friends? We see a guy who's handsome, charming, articulate, friendly, respectful, and while rather subdued does not come across as intensely shy. Actually, he comes across as pretty much perfect. It makes his story pleasant but shallow. One might say the same for the entire film.

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Panamint

For some reason the sheik's assistant walking the goat on a leash stands out in my memory of this film. It's a nice humorous touch, but I believe it might be a small indication that the "Grand Hotel" genre was becoming a satire of itself by the time this film was made. Van Johnson was a terrific and underrated actor. He was so pleasant and made it look so easy that you may tend to not always notice his skill. However, you will see his ability in this film if you really try to notice what he is doing. Lana Turner is so tiny and beautiful that at first you might not notice the acting that she contributes here, but she does a good job and is perfect for this role.There is one major flaw in this film. The Lana Turner character would never in real life forgo the lucrative and exciting career (and all its $) to leave the state with a poor soldier. I hate to say it, but in the real world this would never happen - be it 1945 or today. It is totally movie fiction. He might likely come back to N.Y. to be with her, but not vise versa. Thus this film carefully sets you up for a big resolution, but then it doesn't ring true. Ginger Rodgers seems like a bored actress portraying a tired and bored actress. After all, she can't be expected to add her usual energy and verve if she is portraying a tired, burnt-out character. I will give her a pass and say it is not Rodger's fault. Pidgeon plays charm to the hilt and thereby salvages his portrayal of a tired man on leave for rest, and at least his character's actions are explainable in the context of a war.The supporting actors are all first-rate, especially Benchley as a self-absorbed eccentric. Good role and character that gives this film what it needs most- extra liveliness.Cougat and his lively music add to some extent- but when he is forced to repeatedly showcase a very slow ballad his potential is somewhat muted. Lina Romay of the exciting act but thin voice is also featured briefly.This is a watchable and professionally-made film and I can recommend that anyone view it, especially for the effective acting by Johnson. However, when a small Robert Benchley part and a goat are highlights, obviously it lacks something.

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sonny-miller

This movie was a very entertaining film. I would love to have it on DVD and incidentally, why isn't it on DVD? The romantic situation between Walter Pigeon and Ginger Rogers is enough to make you want to own it. Also, the film has several small stories that give it an extra appeal. An added tidbit is Robert Benchley's dog having puppies while he nervously reacts to the event as would an expectant father. Van Johnson is superb as a Army pilot whose fate is in the balance because of some previous injury. The film industry of today should recognize Van Johnson's contributions to films in the 1940's and 1950's. The character actors are as ever perfect in their roles.

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