This film adaptation of a novel by Arthur Hailey – like most other adaptations of Hailey novels – seems doomed to failure because of the almost endless stream of characters flowing through it.
The set of the St Gregory Hotel (probably the film’s one redeeming feature, built at the Warner Bros. Studios at a cost of $350,000) is an amazing mock-up of a New Orleans hotel, which is at the centre of a takeover bid.
The main storyline revolves around the owner, Warren Trent (Melvyn Douglas) with a smattering of subplots involving the guests, to try to maintain momentum.
There are some good scenes with Douglas but lesser performances from Rod Taylor, Catherine Spaak, Karl Malden and Richard Conte.
The gowns are by Edith Head, and the original music in the score is by Johnny Keating. The film ran over budget and failed to even recoup its production budget at the box office.
Warren Trent (Owner of the St Gregory)
Melvyn Douglas Peter McDermott (The Hotel Manager)
Rod Taylor Jeanne Rochefort (The Girl from Paris)
Catherine Spaak Keycase Milne (The Key Thief)
Karl Malden Duchess Caroline
Merle Oberon Detective Dupere (The House Detective)
Richard Conte Geoffrey, Duke of Lanbourne
Michael Rennie Curtis O’Keefe
Kevin McCarthy Christine
Carmen McRae Captain Yolles
Alfred Ryder Bailey
Roy Roberts Herbie Chandler
Al Checco Mrs Grandin
Sheila Bromley Sam
Harry Hickox Mason
William Lanteau Joe Laswell
Ken Lynch Lawrence Morgan
Clinton Sundberg Kilbrick
Tol Avery Dr Elmo Adams
Davis Roberts
The main storyline revolves around the owner, Warren Trent (Melvyn Douglas) with a smattering of subplots involving the guests, to try to maintain momentum.
