Dinner at Eight

Movie Review: Dinner at Eight

Year of Release: 1933
Country of Origin: USA
Director: George Cukor
Cast: Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore, Lee Tracy, Edmund Lowe, Billie Burke

Plot outline: Social climbing Millicent Jordan throws a dinner party for a bunch of New York society types, each of whom has much to reveal (IMDb).

Adapted from George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's play, Dinner at Eight is a dark drama comedy which is a study of people during the Great Depression - in a way, it's similar to Grand Hotel, only it's darker. It addresses topics like wealthy people dealing with the loss of money and prestige; relationships between men and women involving power, blind love, selfishness and unselfishness; and relationships between the wealthy and those who work for them. It consists of five subplots: 1) Millicent Jordan (Billie Burke), a shallow, wealthy socialite, the wife of shipping magnate Oliver Jordan (Lionel Barrymore). Totally oblivious to the human dramas whirling around the people on her guest list, she worries about nothing so much as how perfect the dinner party will be. 2) Carlotta Vance (Marie Dressler), an aging actress, an old friend and flame of Oliver Jordan. A bit down on her luck, she wants to sell her stock in his company. 3) Oliver Jordan (Lionel Barrymore), a good-hearted businessman. As his company is declining, he is concerned as someone is secretly trying to buy his company stock. Dan Packard (Wallace Beery), a politically connected wheeler-dealer. Circling around Jordan's bleeding empire, he is the shark who is secretly trying to buy the Jordan Shipping Line. 4) Larry Renault (John Barrymore), a washed-up silent movie star. Pestered by a 19-year-old girlfriend, he is haunted by the memory of fame and three ex-wives. Paula Jordan (Madge Evans), a rebellious daughter of Oliver Jordan. Engaged to marry her fiance, she has a clandestine affair with her idol, Larry Renault. 5) Kitty Packard (Jean Harlow), a lonely, conceited woman, the wife of Dan Packard. While waiting for her secret lover, she lounges in bed most of the day. Dr. Wayne Talbot (Edmund Lowe), a doctor, an unfaithful husband. Under the pretext of tending to Mrs. Packard's ailments, he comes to the Packard residence. All the subplots blend together nicely into one seamless, superb script. Dressler heads a large ensemble cast and shines brightest; while the rest of the supporting cast is as good as it gets. And most of the credit goes to director George Cukor who successfully makes this movie something that endures the passage of time.

My judgement: *** out of 4 stars