The Great Waltz (film)

The Great Waltz (OT: The Great Waltz ) is a fictional biopic about Johann Strauss ( son ) from 1938 with Luise Rainer and Fernand Gravet in the lead roles. Julien Duvivier is called as a director in the credit, although it is unclear what scenes were actually realized by him. A majority of the film was directed by Josef von Sternberg and Victor Fleming.

Action

Johann Strauss, son of the famous waltz composers of the same name, is located at the beginning of his illustrious career in a bank. One day he was released because he thinks too much about the music and too little to the customers at the counter. His girlfriend Poldi bird Huber, the lovely daughter of a bank manager, Johann support in his quest to become a musician. The road to success is rocky, but with Poldi, now as a wife at his side of the glory of Johann Strauss is growing. But only with the soprano Carla Donner convince the melodies and the masses. Soon may the charms of Johann Carla no longer resist. Poldi sitting alone at home and endures her fate as a betrayed wife with stoic composure. So great is their sacrifice that they will agree to a divorce, just so John is happy. Carla is not willing to build their own happiness on the unhappiness of others, and waives the continuation of the relationship. Johann and Poldi be happy again.

Background

Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM studio, was an avid lover of the music of Johann Strauss ( son). In that regard, it was not surprising that by mid 1935 the first plans developed to bring the life of the famous composer on the canvas. How many productions of the time, the occupation of the main roles was difficult here. First, Nelson Eddy was to play the composer, then there were names like Brian Aherne, Fredric March and Francis Lederer in conversation before the choice finally fell on the Belgian Fernand Gravet. The female lead fell to Luise Rainer, which can be seen here once again as a long suffering wife. Miliza Korjus was a personal discovery of Louis B. Mayer, who saw a potential successor and rival to Jeanette MacDonald at her. The movie turned out great Korjus, but a serious accident shortly after the premiere prevented further career for the soprano.

Theatrical Release

The production cost was 2.26 million U.S. dollars, which was well above the average budget for an MGM movie. At the box office The Great Waltz fell short of expectations. In the U.S., grossing was 918,000 U.S. dollars, to which additional 1.504 million U.S. dollars came from foreign markets. At the end of the studio realized despite a total box office earnings of 2.422 million U.S. dollars a very high loss of 724,000 U.S. dollars.

Music

The soundtrack of the film consists exclusively of works by Johann Strauss ( son). The best-known pieces are:

  • Tales from the Vienna Woods (op. 325)
  • On the Beautiful Blue Danube (Op. 314)
  • There'll Come a Time
  • I'm in Love with Vienna
  • One Day When We Were Young
  • Artist's Life (op. 316)
  • Voices of Spring (Op. 410)
  • You and You (op. 367)
  • Revolution Marsch (op. 54)
  • Excerpts from Die Fledermaus

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1939, the film won in the category:

  • Best Camera

He received two more nominations in the categories:

  • Best Supporting Actress - Miliza Korjus
  • Best sectional

Criticism

The New York Times found the film opulent and beautiful to look at, but the content is empty and boring. MGM had to make the dubious talent, big productions from a thimble of the script. ("A stupendous show. Stunning, opulent and melodious. All End of month does not preventDefault it from being a bit of a bore. Metro, of course, makes the most beautiful Bores in the world. [ ... ] No other studio can make as big a picture out of so small a script. " )

1938 in film Screenplay Walter Reisch Film score Dimitri Tiomkin Joseph Ruttenberg Tom Held The Blue Danube 11th Academy Awards
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