Check Into Grand Hotel!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Winner of the Best Picture Academy Award for 1932, Grand Hotel is a film that almost didn't get made.

MGM was initially skeptical about putting all their A-list stars in one film, rather than spreading them out over five or six features, fearing that the result might be a money-loser. In fact, the effect was just the opposite. Fueled by the larger-than-life talents of such legendary stars as Greta Garbo - Grand Hotel is, in fact, the source of her most famous quote, "But I want to be alone" - Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, and John Barrymore, the movie was a smash hit, and opened the door for other giant ensemble films to be made.

Adding to the film's mystique, the off-screen antics were, perhaps, even more fascinating than the picture itself, particularly the reported feud between Garbo and Crawford, who were insanely jealous of each other, and insisted on conditions that would ensure neither actress could "steal the show" - in fact, the two actresses never actually appear together in the movie, making it impossible for one star to actually upstage the other. Additionally, knowing that Garbo detested both lateness and rival Marlene Dietrich, Crawford took pains to both arrive late to the set and to play Dietrich records between shots, just to antagonize her fellow actress. Garbo retaliated by insisting that several solo scenes featuring her be added after previews, to further eclipse Crawford.

Whether in spite of the film's backstage hijinx or because of them, the movie became a massive success that is still revered as one of the best pictures ever to emerge from the Hollywood studio system. As a result of the film's iconic status, the paper from Grand Hotel has, of course, become extremely desirable among collectors. For whatever reason, however, the one sheet, which displays beautiful images of Garbo, both Barrymores, Crawford and Beery, has proven extremely elusive, and has become one of the legendary "Holy Grails" of the poster-collecting hobby.

"The current offering, in our upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction, is only the second time in many, many years that this stunning poster has been publicly offered," said Grey Smith, Director of Movie Poster Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Its rarity is the stuff of legend, and it may be quite a long time before poster enthusiasts have another chance to add this exquisite piece to their collections."

The Grand Hotel one sheet will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction, to be held July 14, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, or to bid online, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/MoviePosters.

Grand Hotel (MGM, 1932). One Sheet (27" X 41")
ESTIMATE: $50,000 - $75,000

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage movie posters and related material should contact Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367, or 214-252-4367, or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.