The Emperor Waltz

Released Jul 2, 1948

1h 46m

Musical

Comedy

List

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

41%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

Salesman Virgil Smith (Bing Crosby) is making his next big move in Austria, pushing the gramophone. He believes that if he can persuade Emperor Franz Joseph (Richard Haydn) to purchase the record player, he'll strike it rich as the nation follows suit. However, in the meantime, Smith falls for a countess (Joan Fontaine), a woman in a class above his own. Now in addition to convincing the emperor to buy his wares, Smith must also find a way to receive the emperor's blessing to marry his love.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Multiple functions of Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder on Waltz have given film an infectious quality that surmounts the gorgeously apt trappings against which is projected the fable of an American travelling phonograph salesman.

Aug 14, 2007

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Brackett and Wilder have made up with casualness and charm -- and with a great deal of clever sight-humor -- for the meagerness of the idea.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Time Out

Generally reckoned to be Wilder's worst movie.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

The Emperor Waltz is certainly a worthwhile sit, if only to appreciate the bracing Wilderian satire at the core of the outwardly silly narrative.

Rated: B

Aug 24, 2021

Full Review

Jorge (JJ) Negrete

Butaca Ancha

A pastel comedy that presents two dangers disguised as virtue: that of conservatism and that of progress. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 14, 2019

Full Review

Josephine O'Neill

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

Brackett and Wilder get their effect by combining a free-for-all farcical story with formal magnificence in setting, and costume.

Mar 15, 2019

Full Review

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Steve D

Not enough here to make a movie.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/08/23

Full Review

Mark A

Nice Bing Crosby vehicle.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/20/22

Full Review

kevin w

A work so slight so as to nearly anger one with the gall of it's presumptions and yet the charisma of its main participants do manage to engage and, indeed, to charm. Crosby is a Yank abroad who runs into a bankrupt royale and sparks fly despite position. Joan Fontaine is especially surprising, even though you'll wonder if the featured animals aren't doing the main heavy lifting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Billy Wilder wrote and directed this Bing Crosby musicomedy, which features lovely Technicolor photography; unfortunately, the satire isn't always on target and the comedy often falls flat. Bing sings "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame."

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

just OK vehicle for da Binger

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very silly/fun film that's worth adding to your collection...Njoy!!!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Bing Crosby

Virgil Smith

Joan Fontaine

Johanna Augusta Franziska

Roland Culver

Baron Holenia

Richard Haydn

Emperor Franz-Josef

Lucile Watson

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Synopsis

Salesman Virgil Smith (Bing Crosby) is making his next big move in Austria, pushing the gramophone. He believes that if he can persuade Emperor Franz Joseph (Richard Haydn) to purchase the record player, he'll strike it rich as the nation follows suit. However, in the meantime, Smith falls for a countess (Joan Fontaine), a woman in a class above his own. Now in addition to convincing the emperor to buy his wares, Smith must also find a way to receive the emperor's blessing to marry his love.

Director: Billy Wilder
Screenwriter: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 1948, Wide
Release Date (DVD): May 6, 2003
Runtime: 1h 46m