Weekend at the Waldorf (1945)

Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson

Directed by Robert Z. Leonard

Available to stream on Facebook

This month we are watching a random selection of classic films chosen by Katie -- "Katie's Picks." We haven't been able to fit these films in a category so far, but they are some lighthearted classics that I absolutely love. My first pick - Weekend at the Waldorf - shows life over a weekend at the famous New York hotel - actress Ginger Rogers meets war correspondent Walter Pidgeon; stenographer Lana Turner meets injured flier Van Johnson; and the hotel buzzes with activities - music, dancing, business deals, a wedding, and a variety of characters.

Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers

Why we love it: It's light, entertaining, and easy to watch.  Ginger's clothes and hair are gorgeous;  Walter Pidgeon's pursuit of her is charmingly funny. Van Johnson and Lana Turner provide the wartime love-at-first-sight romance. Audiences at the time would have immediately recognized references to the more serious and melodramatic 1932 film "Grand Hotel."

Made in 1945 as the war was winding down, "Weekend At the Waldorf" has a more upbeat atmosphere than the earlier film does.  There is an optimistic, looking- ahead feeling about the whole story.

Lana Turner and Van Johnson

Fun Facts:

• Some scenes were actually filmed at the Waldorf in New York City, though many elaborate sets were created at the MGM Studio where most of the filming took place. The owners of the hotel wanted the film to be in color to show off the luxurious interiors of the hotel.

Van Johnson asks for directions in the lobby of the Waldorf

• The film is based on the 1932 film Grand Hotel, with Lionel and John Barrymore, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Wallace Beery playing the leads. Grand Hotel is a true melodrama while Weekend at the Waldorf is a lighthearted romantic comedy.
  

• The film features Xavier Cugat and his orchestra in several musical numbers, which is quite true to life since Cugat led the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra from 1931 to 1947. Cugat was a Spanish musician who grew up in Cuba and later moved to the United States. He and his orchestra appear in several musicals throughout the 1940's and he was instrumental in the spread and popularity of Latin music in the United States.

For reviews from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured Cocktail:

Sparkling Margarita

The combination of tequila and sparkling wine is surprising and delicious. A great celebratory cocktail.

50 ml tequila blanco

25 m lime juice

12.5 ml sugar syrup

50 ml sparkling wine

Shake first three ingredients with ice, strain over ice into cocktail glass, top with sparkling wine. Optionally, stir first three ingredients with ice then serve in a champagne coupe with a single large ice cube. You may salt the rim of the glass if you want.

Cheers to the Classics!