mmallon4 Ah the 1930's. No decade in cinema has since captured such an aurora of class and sophistication from the clothes worn to way people talk; a world so removed from our own. It feels like there is no other time period in which it was as easy to make a movie about rich people and their rich people problems without it coming off as a metaphorical dick waving display of wealth. There are few better representations of this than Dinner at Eight. With the heavenly, dream like music from the film's opening titles; the viewer is transported to a world long, long gone. All of the stories in Dinner at Eight have tragic to say the least, but Billie Burke as the socialite holding the impending dinner helps bring comic relief to the proceedings with her histrionics as well simply the sound of her voice. Aside from the largely carefree Burke, the rest of the characters don't have much to look forward to with their impending affairs, bankruptcy, failing careers and illnesses. John Barrymore's story is my favourite; the quietly tragic demise of washed up film star Larry Renault. His tender love scenes with Madge Evans are largely the opposite of the grandiose interaction with Greta Garbo in Grand Hotel; this is far more down to Earth. It's not apparent when Renault first appears just what a bad state his career is in. As his segment progresses he becomes more and more pathetic as he becomes increasingly drunk and we learn more about his current state that he is only being offered a bit part in a play, he only has seven cents on him and the ultimate blow when his manager tells him he's been a joke for years and never taken seriously as an actor; he had his good looks but he doesn't even have that anymore. The sub plot is prophetic of Barrymore's own future as he spent his last few years as a washed up actor and succumb to alcohol. There are hints in his performance to the egomaniac he would play the following year in Twentieth Century with his hotel room being littered with photographs of his own profile. With its haunting cinematography Renault's final outcome had me holding my breath with part of me wishing this could be its own film; a sort of predecessor to the story of Norman A Star Is Born.The other story line which particularly strikes me is Edmund Lowe's. Once his wife confronts him about his ongoing affair with Jean Harlow, the two have a long serious chat in which she is completely understanding and forgives him. A stark contrast to any modern romantic comedy in which two character would break up after a lengthy argument of one has betrayed the other, then get back together 20 minutes later. Are modern romantic comedies just so contrived and unreflective of real life, was adultery less frowned on back then or is it just a pre- code thing?The early 30's seems to be the one brief period in cinema history in which there was a number of older aged movie stars who box office draws; Wallace Beery, Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore. There has never been another decade like it.

SimonJack MGM billed this film as bigger than "Grand Hotel." It was obviously trying to build on the huge success of its1932 blockbuster. Much of the same all-star cast appears in both films. Notable exceptions are Greta Garbo in the first, and Marie Dressler in this second film. Both also are lavish productions. But, where Hotel was a drama-romance, Dinner is billed as a comedy-drama. I think the comedy is in subtle and sparse locations, and that Dinner is much more serious. The variety of characters provide for fine melodrama. The huge cast of notable actors carries the film. This is a movie about business, class, society, selfishness, irresponsibility, sacrifice, love, infidelity, dislike, pride, snobbery, deceit, success and failure. Few of the characters are likable. Even fewer are decent, honest folks. "Dinner at Eight" is a story of many smaller plots that all revolve around the Jordan's dinner. The plot is interesting and it has a solid good ending – when dinner is served at eight. It is a nice study of many characters and their flaws. It is worth watching for the cast alone.

atlasmb I think it would be a mistake to reveal much about the story of this film, so I will deal only with it merits.David O. Selznick set out to create another of his quality productions with "Dinner at Eight", starring an all-star cast.Billie Burke, with her lilting voice, plays Millicent, the wife of a shipping business owner. She is self-consumed and intent on creating a perfect dinner party.Lionel Barrymore plays Oliver Jordan, her husband and a man with several problems on his hands. Madge Evans plays Paula, their daughter who is engaged to a young, attractive man who is cut from very regular cloth. She is involved with another man--one who offers a more exotic and challenging relationship.Wallace Beery plays Dan Packard, a coarse and aggressive businessman who is invited to the dinner at Oliver's request. His wife Kitty is played by Jean Harlow. She's a platinum-plated gold digger whose relationship with Dan is similar to that between Billie and Harry in "Born Yesterday".Edmund Lowe plays Dr. Talbot, a "masher" who treats several characters.Marie Dressler plays Carlotta Vance, a retired actress who flaunts a lifestyle she cannot sustain. Ms. Dressler often plays the matronly socialite for laughs; here she is a fully-developed character who is allowed to show her real acting talent.John Barrymore plays Larry Renault, an actor who is on the down-side of a career onstage and in film. His is one of the bravest portrayals I have ever seen, as his character's personality and situation are written so close to his own.The main strength of this film is the story, which allows each character to be developed, giving emotional depth to the story. It is well worth seeing.

jeffhaller125 I remember hating this movie as a kid. Of course. This is an adult movie about adults. The dialog is brilliant but it is misleading to refer to it as a comedy. There are some of the most honest moments I ever experienced in a Hollywood movie. That isn't to say that there are many movies as entertaining as this one. But the John Barrymore scenes have a darkness that one is not likely to see topped. Dressler whose work is not seen much today was a towering presence. Billie Burke walks away with the movie with that gracious phony smile trying to cover up the most self centered of women. Lionel didn't have that whiny way of his that is usually annoying; his character is undoubtedly the one we love and pity the most. Harlow and Beery? They live up to everything anyone ever said about them and there is an undeniable love between their characters. I watched this tonight with two people who had never seen it and had been led to believe it was a screwball comedy; they were on the edge of their seats awaiting every line. When you are ready for this one, you will see the absolute genius.