Writing With Gloves at the Grand Hotel

On April 29, 1932, Jean attended the star-studded premiere of MGM's megawatt all-star hit, "Grand Hotel," at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, escorted by one of the film's producers (and future husband) Paul Bern. 

Jean and Paul pose for a picture at the "Grand Hotel" premiere

The MGM publicity machine really outdid itself that night, creating one of the most spectacular Hollywood premiere events of all time, parading out its fabled "more stars than there are in heaven" stable of talent.

As stars exited their limousines on Hollywood Blvd., they stopped to talk to the evening's host, Conrad Nagel, who was stationed in the forecourt at a prop hotel desk.  They said a few words over the air on NBC radio and signed their names in a "Grand Hotel" ledger book before entering the theater.

The arrivals were filmed for a newsreel that has survived for over seven decades and was included as a special feature on the 2004 Grand Hotel DVD release:

But what happened to the ledger?

Did it survive?

It certainly did!

Its current caretaker is my good friend, Los Angeles-based Harlow historian, Darrell Rooney.   

Darrell Rooney with the famous Grand Hotel ledger

A sheet from the ledger

I had the honor of examining the fragile film artifact up close and personal a year ago when Darrell generously brought it to a special gathering on April 29, 2007, to mark its 75th anniversary.  The evening was hosted by another wonderful friend of mine, photographer, author and fellow Hollywood historian, Mark Vieira, at his Starlight Studio, and included screenings of the DVD newsreel and a 16mm print of the film.

Nancy Walsh, former owner of Jean's Palm Drive residence, peruses the ledger pages 

The ledger languished in storage for many years, and, remarkably, survived the 1970 ruthless purging of MGM's properties.  Darrell first bid on it at an auction many years ago, unsuccessfully, but had a second chance to own it when the person who originally outbid, offered to sell it to him directly for the price paid (several thousand dollars.) Fortunately for Darrell, he was in a better financial position to take advantage of the sale when opportunity knocked, and has since then kept it lovingly preserved among his vast collection of Harlow memorabilia.

Jean signs the ledger at the "Grand Hotel" premiere

Jean and Paul appear in the newsreel at 6:12 in.  She comments that she can't write while wearing gloves.  Ha! I don't think she did such a bad job.  You be the judge:

Notice the seemingly blank line under Paul's signature.  At one point in the ledger's history, it was "cleaned up" of dust and dirt, and, sadly, it resulted in the extreme fading of Chester Morris' signature.  What remains is the "C," barely.  Some of the pages in the book, originally hand stitched together with thread, have come out, but for the most part it is in great condition considering its age and history of years worth of neglect.

Below, courtesy of You-Tuber ghostlybohemia, is the "Grand Hotel" premiere newsreel. 

It includes host Conrad Nagel with Edward G. Robinson, Lew Ayres, Lola Lane, Lionel Barrymore, Ben Lyon, Bebe Daniels, Wallace Beery, Louis B. Mayer, Edmound Goulding, Walter Huston, Lilyan Tashman, Edmund Lowe, Fred Niblo, Robert Montgomery, Lewis Stone,  Anita Page, Marlene Dietrich, Rudolf Sieber, Anna Q. Nilsson, Jean Harlow, Paul Bern, Chester Morris, Billy Haines, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Crawford, Constance Bennett,  Henri de la Falaise, Norma Shearer and Clark Gable. 

Comments

[Lisa Burks]

video has been fixed, thanks for the heads up!

[carbon copy pro]

What a great read! But unfortunately video is not working!

[Sarah]

I wonder if the mysterious "C" could be C Henry Gordon...maybe?

[S.Nandakumar alias cheiro nandakumar]

Paul Bern (December 3, 1889 – September 5, 1932) was a German-American film director, screenwriter and producer for MGM
Bern married film star Jean Harlow on July 2, 1932. Just two months later, on September 5, he was found naked, shot in the head, in their home on Easton Drive, off Benedict Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, California. The coroner's jury came to the conclusion that his death was a suicide. To avoid scandal, the MGM management had fabricated an explanation, and evidence for it, that Bern had shot himself in the head because he was impotent. A strange note was left near his body that raised more questions than it answered, stating that "last night was only a comedy." All America, it seemed, wanted to know what Bern meant. Harlow never spoke of the matter. To the police and before a grand jury she stated only that she knew nothing. Harlow died five years later.
In 1960, it was suggested by screenwriter Ben Hecht that Bern was murdered by his mentally deranged common-law wife, Dorothy Millette. The investigation into Paul Bern's death was reopened by the Los Angeles District Attorney. However, the verdict of suicide was not changed. Many people were questioned, including two gardeners. One claimed he heard a car driving away in the early morning. There was no conclusive evidence that Bern argued with his wife before his death and handwriting analysts claimed the suicide note was not in his handwriting. Eddie Mannix, MGM's studio manager, was believed to be the prime suspect, but he was never charged with the crime.
Cheiro when fisrt read his hands in the spring of 1927.From the line of marriage cutting the fate line with stoppage as long island ,he warned him of peculiar ly sensitive disposition ,that marriage would be fatal to him and he had better leave it alone.He laughed at his suggestion saying “It is the last thing that would enter my mind”Yet five years later his marraiage with Jean harlow was one of sensational of Hollywood.Het met Jean harlow and after rapid courtship they married in September 1932 ,but weeks later for some unknown reseason ,he committed suicide.
Dec 3 born people must have genetic fortune reversal and they are advised to put aside some money for their future.
S.Nandakumar ,astro geneticist.,Anna-oxford-cambridge –hubble-space science coordinator

[paul hoye]

wonderful reading about the ledger ....and pity the video... taken off... though i did manage to see that on youtube a while back... i cant figure out this year how to download to real player... and last year before my crash.... i downloaded with a click....i listened also to the play... very cosey to listen to old radio for a change...paul

[Armidale Accommodation]

Nice story. I saw the video clip also , its too good. I had enjoyed while reading this blog.

[Harry Martin]

That was an absolutely wonderful story, and thank you so much for including the news reel. It was quite interesting to see.