I am surprised that I write the first review for Hotel Imperial. This movie is a little gem, and should be officially released in DVD by Universal, after proper restoration.
It is the first movie that I've watched starring the legendary silent movie star Pola Negri; it's no secret that most of her movies from 1920s were sadly lost (as so many great ones from that era are also) but I managed to get me "Hotel Imperial" of decent quality and watched it in one take. The copy that I had did have some strange musical arrangements and score that was abruptly ending and beginning mid-scene but despite that unnerving fact I was still capable of enjoying this movie.
It's a shame that the film this grand and well developed in every aspect is so unknown. It makes one wonder if there are dozens or maybe hundreds of films from film-making's infancy that are lost or under-appreciated.
I admit I am not on the same page as the other folks on here: I do not view Hotel Imperial (1927) as a lost gem from the silent era. It is beautifully directed and shot, with fluid cinematography and mostly competent performances.
The 1939 Paramount version of Hotel Imperial is an enjoyable film, but a flawed one. Its greatest virtue is its atmosphere.
I was lucky enough to see this film at a recent screening at the Museum of Modern Art. The print was beautiful, it was accompanied with live music, and the audience was large and enthusiastic.
A Paramount picture, presented by Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky.
A great movie - very entertaining from start to finish - the video release available from Grapevine is lacking only in the fact that the musical accompaniment is below average. However, that does not diminish the fact that Pola truly was a star and her on screen magnetism shines in this World War I themed movie.
Set early in World War I, Lieutenant Paul Almasy tries to escape to the Austrian army lines from Russian occupied Austria, but ends up in a small hotel, saved by chambermaid Anna Sedlak (Pola Negri). A Russian general makes the hotel his headquarters and chases Anna, who has fallen for the Paul.
