"Strauss' Great Waltz" is a highly fictionalized, romantic film about a short span in the life of Johann Strauss II, or Johann Junior. It includes his father, played by Edwin Gwenn in a supporting role. Esmond Knight plays the son who really was at odds with his father most of his adult life. The significant aspect of this film that is partly accurate is Johann junior's first performance of his Blue Danube waltz ("The Beautiful Blue Danube") at Donmayer's Casino in Vienna. Although, it wasn't as portrayed in the film, with the senior Strauss being tricked and kept away while Junior conducted his father's orchestra. In real life, Johann II had formed his own orchestra and performed at the famous casino in which his father had often played. That sparked a split and a rivalry that lasted all of their lives.
I thought the film would have more music and singing than it has. Jessie Matthews plays Johann's girlfriend in the movie, Resi Ebezeder. She sings one song and is fine in a young romantic role, but her singing talent wasn't fully realized in the movie.
Besides Gwenn, the other supporting actors of note are Fay Compton as Countess Helga von Stahl and Frank Vosper as her husband, Prince Gustav. The rest of the cast are okay. The movie was filmed at Gainsborough's Studios in what was then the West end of London.
Besides the music and history of Johann Strauss, I was drawn to watch this film because it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He already had made a name for himself, and had directed more than 20 films before this. And, while he had made some good crime films, Hitchcock was making movies of various genres. He wasn't yet known as the master story teller of mystery.
One can't watch this film and not realize in the very opening that it might be directed by Hitchcock. The opening scene is a repeated bugle or horn warning being blasted, but all that is seen is the name, "Vienna Fire Brigade" etched into the horn. Then, as the camera moves out, the firemen and hose cart are seen behind two horses speeding toward a fire. Great camerawork for great effect!
Hitchcock fans and music fans alike should enjoy this oldie. It would have been much better with more music - at least one or two completed songs, either on piano by Johann, or by a full orchestra.
I thought the film would have more music and singing than it has. Jessie Matthews plays Johann's girlfriend in the movie, Resi Ebezeder. She sings one song and is fine in a young romantic role, but her singing talent wasn't fully realized in the movie.
Besides Gwenn, the other supporting actors of note are Fay Compton as Countess Helga von Stahl and Frank Vosper as her husband, Prince Gustav. The rest of the cast are okay. The movie was filmed at Gainsborough's Studios in what was then the West end of London.
Besides the music and history of Johann Strauss, I was drawn to watch this film because it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He already had made a name for himself, and had directed more than 20 films before this. And, while he had made some good crime films, Hitchcock was making movies of various genres. He wasn't yet known as the master story teller of mystery.
One can't watch this film and not realize in the very opening that it might be directed by Hitchcock. The opening scene is a repeated bugle or horn warning being blasted, but all that is seen is the name, "Vienna Fire Brigade" etched into the horn. Then, as the camera moves out, the firemen and hose cart are seen behind two horses speeding toward a fire. Great camerawork for great effect!
Hitchcock fans and music fans alike should enjoy this oldie. It would have been much better with more music - at least one or two completed songs, either on piano by Johann, or by a full orchestra.