Don't get me wrong: I love this movie; it's one of my favorites. But a couple little things just didn't settle quite right with me. For example, the fact that host Oliver Jordan (Lionel Barrymore) was dying of coronary thrombosis is revealed midway through the film. But by the end, the big problem of his failing shipping business has been resolved through a little bit of scheming and manipulation on Jean Harlow's part. She convinces her husband Dan Packard (Wallace Beery) to help Jordan instead of buying him out. So there still remains the fact that he's seriously ill. His money problems have mostly been solved, but no one else seemed extremely concerned about his health. And then the movie ends just as they all go in for the title dinner. I would have liked to see the actual dinner take place, and wanted to see the sparks fly, as they say, as all the different problems of the various guests come to a head. I mean, no one else besides Carlotta Vance (Marie Dressler) and Jordan's daughter even knew that Larry Renault (John Barrymore) gassed himself! Does anyone else agree? I'd love to hear any and all relevant opinions!
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Reply by genplant29
on August 17, 2019 at 6:53 PM
I hate to say (as I realize I'm in the minority) that this is a film I'm not crazy about, other than that I enjoy the cast and of course the era. I vaguely recall some of the things you mentioned also bugging or disappointing me.
It's been over five years since I last watched this (I used to own the DVD but donated it to my local public library circa 2013), therefore am very rusty now about and unfortunately mostly no longer able to remember the various specifics.
Nonetheless, consider me in general agreement with the things that you stated.