IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
A brash American gramophone salesman tries to get Emperor Franz Joseph's endorsement in turn-of-the-century Austria.A brash American gramophone salesman tries to get Emperor Franz Joseph's endorsement in turn-of-the-century Austria.A brash American gramophone salesman tries to get Emperor Franz Joseph's endorsement in turn-of-the-century Austria.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 3 nominations total
Harry Allen
- Gamekeeper
- (uncredited)
Gene Ashley
- Tyrolean Man
- (uncredited)
Franco Corsaro
- Spanish Marques
- (uncredited)
Paul De Corday
- Hungarian Officer
- (uncredited)
Cyril Delevanti
- Diplomat
- (uncredited)
Doris Dowling
- Tyrolean Girl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBilly Wilder began shooting this film in 1946, soon after winning an Oscar for The Lost Weekend (1945). That film's great critical reception (and unexpected box-office success) gave Wilder more power and he spent a lot of time and money on this musical (which was his first color film). He was very dissatisfied with the result, however, and the release of the film was extensively delayed, perhaps for re-takes--Wilder liked to say he was hoping to delay its release as long as possible. It opened in Britain a month before its American debut, most unusually, and was a critical and box-office flop. In 1969, he told an interviewer, "I never want to see it again". His next film, A Foreign Affair (1948), opened in America only three months later.
- Quotes
Princess Bitotska: The Lafuentes have more of everything. In fact, most of their children were born with eleven fingers.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Saturday Night Live: Melanie Griffith/Little Feat (1988)
Featured review
The Mystery of "The Emperor Waltz"
The mystery is that it took me so long to succumb to the charms of this musical. There are few writer/directors I admire more than Billy Wilder and few entertainers I enjoy more than Bing Crosby. I don't know what I expected when they got together, but I guess it wasn't "The Emperor Waltz". Initial disappointment was erased on a recent viewing.
Our story is set in the long ago Austria of Emperor Franz Josef and concerns the love affair between a haughty widowed countess (Joan Fontaine) and a brash American salesman (Crosby). Ditto her purebred poodle and his mutt. There is a lot of talk about class differences and bloodlines and, through the years, this has been my major gripe with the script. Perhaps at the time in the late 40s Bracket and Wilder felt the need to make some sort of a statement, but it's a tad heavy handed and detracts from the fun - and there is fun.
The musical numbers are presented wittily. For "In Dreams I Kiss Your Hand" Bing sings, then brings in a piano, then two policemen pick up violins and then the domestic staff starts to dance. When our countess swoons after a few boo-boo-boo's, you know it's all in fun. The uninspired humorist often remarks when watching a musical "where did the orchestra come from?". In the enchanting "The Kiss in Your Eyes", there is no need to ask as an entire village puts bow to string to accompany this most stirring of love songs.
The Technicolor filming is sumptuous and truly befitting the operetta-like sensibility of the movie.
Joan Fontaine is every inch the royal lady, looking lovely in her costumes and easily handling the comic and dramatic portions of the script. A nice transition from her young, vulnerable characterizations to the more confident females she portrayed in the 50s.
Early in the film Bing Crosby tends to shout his way through Virgil, but his character is a lone fish out of water with no kibitzing pal such as a Hope or Fitzgerald. Once he starts to sing - well, like the Countess, it is easy to fall for the go-getting salesman.
Lucile Watson is a delight as a dowager princess with a penchant for storytelling and for our Countess' profligate father played in fine style by Roland Culver.
The top performance comes from Richard Hadyn as Emperor F-J himself. Unrecognizable under the whiskers and make-up, and foregoing his famous nasally precise delivery, Mr. Hadyn gives us a very interesting Franz-Josef. A petulant, funny, irritating, thoughtful and memorable character. You will pinch yourself to remind you of who you are watching.
I heartily recommend this musical of much charm. Mystery solved.
Our story is set in the long ago Austria of Emperor Franz Josef and concerns the love affair between a haughty widowed countess (Joan Fontaine) and a brash American salesman (Crosby). Ditto her purebred poodle and his mutt. There is a lot of talk about class differences and bloodlines and, through the years, this has been my major gripe with the script. Perhaps at the time in the late 40s Bracket and Wilder felt the need to make some sort of a statement, but it's a tad heavy handed and detracts from the fun - and there is fun.
The musical numbers are presented wittily. For "In Dreams I Kiss Your Hand" Bing sings, then brings in a piano, then two policemen pick up violins and then the domestic staff starts to dance. When our countess swoons after a few boo-boo-boo's, you know it's all in fun. The uninspired humorist often remarks when watching a musical "where did the orchestra come from?". In the enchanting "The Kiss in Your Eyes", there is no need to ask as an entire village puts bow to string to accompany this most stirring of love songs.
The Technicolor filming is sumptuous and truly befitting the operetta-like sensibility of the movie.
Joan Fontaine is every inch the royal lady, looking lovely in her costumes and easily handling the comic and dramatic portions of the script. A nice transition from her young, vulnerable characterizations to the more confident females she portrayed in the 50s.
Early in the film Bing Crosby tends to shout his way through Virgil, but his character is a lone fish out of water with no kibitzing pal such as a Hope or Fitzgerald. Once he starts to sing - well, like the Countess, it is easy to fall for the go-getting salesman.
Lucile Watson is a delight as a dowager princess with a penchant for storytelling and for our Countess' profligate father played in fine style by Roland Culver.
The top performance comes from Richard Hadyn as Emperor F-J himself. Unrecognizable under the whiskers and make-up, and foregoing his famous nasally precise delivery, Mr. Hadyn gives us a very interesting Franz-Josef. A petulant, funny, irritating, thoughtful and memorable character. You will pinch yourself to remind you of who you are watching.
I heartily recommend this musical of much charm. Mystery solved.
helpful•173
- misspaddylee
- Oct 23, 2007
- How long is The Emperor Waltz?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Ich küsse Ihre Hand, Madame
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $4,070,248 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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