Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel. The line is busy.

Who is this?

I can connect you with room service.

Hello.

Is that the clinic? This is Senf, the head porter, Grand Hotel.

How's my wife? Is she in pain? Isn't the child coming soon?

Patience? Would you have patience?

This is Otto Kringelein. Is that you, Heinrich?

Listen. I've got to talk very quickly.

Every minute costs 2 marks 90.

You know that will I made before I had my operation?

I want you to tear it up.

I came to Berlin to see a great specialist about that old trouble of mine, you know?

It's pretty bad, and he says I haven't long to live.

I say, he says I won't live much longer!

No, it isn't nice to be told things like that.

You plague, bother, and save, and all of a sudden you're dead.

I want to get something out of life.

I'm never going back to Friedersdorf. Never.

I'm staying here at the Grand Hotel. It's the most expensive hotel in Berlin.

All the best people stay here.

Even our big boss, Preysing, is staying here.

I'm going to tell him someday just exactly what I think of him.

Hello, miss.

This is General Director Preysing. I want my home in Friedersdorf, please.

Hurry.

Hello. Is that you, Mama? How are the children?

What news have you from the factory, dear?

Is your papa there? Good.

Hello, Papa, is that you?

The conference with the Saxonia company is set for tomorrow morning, Papa.

If the merger does not go through, we are in very bad shape, Papa.

Everything depends upon news from Manchester.

If the deal with the Manchester Cotton Company does not go through...

we're facing a very bad situation, Papa.

I'm Suzette, Mme. Grusinskaya's maid. Madame will not dance today.

She will not go to the rehearsal. She did not sleep all night.

There is something preying on her mind.

I gave her a tablet, a Veronal. She's sleeping now.

This is Baron von Geigern.

Look here, I need money, or I can't stay at this hotel much longer.

I've laid the groundwork. I know the exact position of her room.

I've made friends with her ballet master, Pimenov.

Listen, Heinrich. I've taken all my savings, everything...

and I’m going to enjoy spending it. All of it.

It's terribly expensive here, Heinrich. But it's wonderful.

I can't! I'll lose my job. It's like being in jail.

Rely on me, Papa. I will make this merger go through.

I never fail.

Poor Madame. Her mind is tortured. I'm afraid she will...

I don't need advice, thanks very much. I need money!

Music all the time. It's wonderful.

Grand Hotel.

People coming, going.

Nothing ever happens.

Mme. Grusinskaya will not want her car.

Mme. Grusinskaya's car is not to be brought.

Here. Yes, Baron?

Adolphus is very vexed with you. Yes, Baron?

You didn't take him for his walk this morning.

The door was locked. You should've knocked.

That's why they don't like little dogs in big hotels.

The doors are locked. They can't get out. You see?

- Yes, Baron. - I want you to take him for a good walk.

- You understand? - Yes, Baron.

- Don't bring him back till he's exhausted. - No, Baron.

Wait a minute.

It's quite all right.

Hello? That for me?

No. Mme. Grusinskaya's car's to be brought.

Mme. Grusinskaya's car's to be brought.

Good evening. Will you send this to Mme. Grusinskaya?

Yes, Baron. Thanks very much.

Good evening. My key, 168.

- Good evening, Mr. Pimenov. - Good evening, Baron.

- How is the beautiful lady? - Grusinskaya?

To tell the truth, Baron, tonight we're a little bit nervous.

Were you at the theater last night?

I'm always there when Grusinskaya dances.

- Last night was not so good. - I thought she was splendid.

Is Mr. Preysing in? I'm Dr. Zinnowitz.

Mr. Preysing. Visitor.

Here you are. Waiting long?

Waiting? I've been waiting for news from Manchester.

No news? No.

That's bad. You can't hold out unless you merge with the Saxonia company.

- I know. - The Saxonia company will never sign...

unless your firm is tied up with the Manchester people.

They don't have to. I told you that.

Yes, I know. I'm very much worried. But I have my agent in Manchester.

I'm expecting a telegram any minute.

You have to create a good impression. Seem optimistic.

Don't even mention Manchester to the Saxonia crowd. Be clever.

No, I cannot do that, Dr. Zinnowitz.

I'm used to making my deals on a solid basis.

I'm an honest businessman, a good husband and a father.

I have nothing to conceal. I could not live happily otherwise.

Yes, I know. We'll go someplace and talk it over.

I'm expecting a stenographer.

Send her to Mr. Preysing's room. 166.

Yes, Dr. Zinnowitz.

Letters for me? No, Doctor.

Telegrams? No, Doctor.

He always seems to be waiting for something...

but it never happens.

No messages? No, Doctor.

Yes, I was in the war.

Your bill. You're not beginning that again?

Please pay attention to me. I've no time.

Kindly wait one moment, sir.

Has anyone asked for me? No, Doctor.

We're holding five bedrooms and two sitting rooms.

How many in your party? My mother, two sisters...

This is an imposition. Kindly wait one moment, please.

That makes nine. Yes.

You wish to have the rooms held? Please. And then...

Really, I won't wait any longer. I've been here a very long time.

That's all right.

Look here, I waited three days before I got a room at all.

When I finally got one, what kind of a room was it?

A nice room, inexpensive. I didn't ask for a cheap room.

When I came here to live, did I ask you for a cheap room? Did l?

If you wait one moment, sir... I can't wait.

Every day is precious. Every hour...

176? Every minute is precious.

I came to live here for two weeks, maybe three. Heaven only knows.

I can pay whatever you want. I'm tired and ill. I can't wait.

Do you have a complaint? He's dissatisfied with Room 559.

Yes, I have a complaint. I think it's a perfectly fair complaint.

I came here from a great distance to live at the Grand Hotel.

I want a room, a big room.

The same kind of room you'd give General Director Preysing.

I'm as good as Mr. Preysing.

I can pay for a room the same as Mr. Preysing.

Would you stick him way off in a corner in a little room...

where the water pipes go "pop" all day?

He can have my room. It doesn't matter where I stay.

That won't be necessary, Doctor.

Mr. Kringelein will take Room 176. It's one of our most expensive rooms.

A large room on the front, and with a bar.

- With a private bar, exclusively mine. - Certainly, sir.

Exactly what I want. That's very kind. I'll pay for it now.

No, I beg of you, sir. Pardon me, sir.

You dropped your little hat.

- Permit me. - Thank you.

Permit me. My name is Kringelein, from Friedersdorf.

Yes. I'm Baron von Geigern. A Baron.

Permit me to present Dr. Otternschlag.

A doctor. Doctor, I’m ill.

I know. When a man's collar is an inch too big for him, I know he's ill.

I must go and dress now.

I'll see you there. Surely, sir.

- Is this gentleman a baron, too? - Unfortunately, no.

- Will Mr. Kringelein kindly sign here? - I have signed once.

Got a minute? I told you not to come here.

Time's getting short.

Haven't I told you not talk to me with a cigarette in your mouth?

I want to speak... Later.

Yes, sir.

This way, Mr. Kringelein.

Mr. Preysing.

Will you go up to 166? 166.

Hey, wait a minute!

Hello?

Mme. Grusinskaya 's car is not to be brought.

She said, "On the other side of the fence."

Baron, you're incorrigible.

Poor Grusinskaya.

How can she receive anyone? No, of course not.

Theater, hotels, trains. Trains, hotels, theater.

- Quite so. - I must toddle along.

- She'll be waking up and calling for me. - I'm sorry, old fellow.

Who are you, please?

I'm the stenographer.

Then you will please wait outside, please.

Yes, sir.

Outside, please.

Take your time.

Listen, the burial fund and everything. I've got it right here.

I'm going to live. I'm going to have a good time while I can.

That's my creed, Kringelein: A short life and a gay one.

A short life, Baron, and a gay one. That's very true in my case.

You know, I know you won't think I’m impertinent...

but perhaps you might have a little better time...

if you bought some new clothes. Started out fresh, so to speak.

Well, Baron, I didn't think there was time for that.

But it's very kind of you to take an interest.

- Friends, then. - Friends, Baron?

Thank you.

- Your room is ready, sir. - Thank you.

I may speak to the Baron anytime I see him?

Of course, Kringelein. Why not?

I mean, when you're with your smart friends?

- I haven't any friends, Kringelein. - You said me, Baron.

- Friend. - Bless you, Kringelein.

See you later.

I've often wondered what would happen to that porter...

if somebody jumped on him from here.

I'm sure I don't know. Why don't you try it and find out?

- Thanks very much. - Not at all.