Grand Hotel Beat Sheet

Grand Hotel Movie Poster

Here is my attempt at the Beat Sheet for Grand Hotel (1932). If you would like more information about beat sheets and the 15 beats every great movies shares, check out this page. 

First, before beginning this beat sheet, I decided that there really wasn't one character whose story is being told. With this in mind, I decided that the protagonist for the story, at least in my mind, is the Grand Hotel itself. I used this throughout this Beat Sheet

Opening Image – The film opens in a busy switchboard room at the Grand Hotel. The operators are busily connecting calls. 

Set-up – The filmmakers ingeniously introduce the various characters by having them talk on the phone. The camera switches from one to the next so we see all their major issues. One wants a business deal, one plans to steal something, one's wife is pregnant, one is dying and spending his days enjoying himself, and the last person is the maid to the famous ballet dancer, Grusinskaya, who is afraid her mistress will not perform.

Theme Stated  – Nothing ever happens here. This makes no sense when looking at the stories themselves. However, if you think of the hotel as the protagonist, then nothing really does change. People come and people go but it remains the same. 

Catalyst – This was a tough one for me. Each individual story had its own catalyst. For example, the Baron needed to pay a debt which was the catalyst for him to plan and steal Grusinskaya's pearls. However, the catalyst in terms of the movie was simply that everyone was coming to stay at the same hotel. 

Debate – If the catalyst of the movie was everyone coming to stay at the hotel, the debate section involved each of the individual characters dealing with their specific problems. 

Break Into Two  – Act Two is usually the 'upside down' world - where the protagonist is thrown into something it is not used to. In this story, the individual characters each have their own 'funworld' versions of reality. I believe that Act Two begins when we understand the backstories for each character and what it is they want. 

B Story – There are a number of love stories, however I think the true B Story is the love of the Baron for  Otto Kringelein. He can't steal from him, and he ensures that Flaemmchen, the stenographer, is there for Otto too.  

Fun and Games –  The Baron is planning his theft but also planning to date Flaemmchen. He helps Otto learn how to enjoy himself. Flaemmchen begins working for General Director Preysing. Basically, we are learning more about each of the characters and watching how they interact. 

Midpoint - To me, the midpoint comes when the Baron decides not to steal from Grusinskaya and instead falls in love with her. They quickly pair up. This is definitely a false victory. 

Bad Guys Close In – The Baron needs to get money to pay a debt. He has refused money from Grusinskaya and resists the temptation to steal from Otto. 

All is Lost – The Baron decides to steal from Preysing. However, he gets caught and Preysing kills him. 

Dark Night of the Soul – Everyone including the hotel staff is upset about the death of the Baron. 

Break Into Three – Flaemmchen and Otto decide to join together and travel to Paris together in the hopes of finding a cure for Otto. 

Finale – Grusinskaya leaves the hotel, still thinking that the Baron will come to meet her at the train station. Flaemmchen and Otto leave for Paris. Preysing is arrested. Only the Doctor who seems to live at the hotel remains and states as he did at the beginning that people might come and go but nothing happens at the Grand Hotel. 

Final Image – We draw back from the revolving door of the hotel to see a conveyance bearing the title Grand Hotel pulls up with new arrivals.