John Barrymore was so thrilled at the prospect of appearing in the film with Greta Garbo that he accepted a three-picture deal with MGM.
The original MGM Grand in Las Vegas (where Bally's now stands) was built to resemble the design of this film.
Joan Crawford was admittedly awestruck by Greta Garbo. Though they had no scenes together, Crawford would greet the enigmatic star with reverence whenever the two passed each other between camera setups. Garbo never responded, so Crawford ceased her efforts to engage her. Some time later, Garbo stopped Crawford as she walked silently past her, remarking, "Aren't you going to say something to me?"
Author and playwright Vicki Baum based "Menschen im Hotel" both on a true story about a scandal at a hotel involving a stenographer and an industrial magnate, and on her own experiences working as a chambermaid at two well-known Berlin hotels.
At one point, Oscar winner Wallace Beery stormed out of rehearsals, saying he would only come back "when Joan Crawford learns to act."