IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
The story of Johann Strauss the elder and younger.The story of Johann Strauss the elder and younger.The story of Johann Strauss the elder and younger.
Betty Huntley-Wright
- Lady's Maid
- (as Betty Huntley Wright)
Bertram Dench
- Engine driver
- (uncredited)
Sybil Grove
- Mme. Fouchett
- (uncredited)
B.M. Lewis
- Domeyer
- (uncredited)
Bill Shine
- Carl
- (uncredited)
John Singer
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Cyril Smith
- Secretary
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn his interview with François Truffaut in 1964, and in many other interviews, Sir Alfred Hitchcock referred to this movie as "the lowest ebb of my career."
- GoofsThe plot centers around the composition of the "Blue Danube" waltz and its place in the rivalry between Johann Strauss Jr. and his father. While the rivalry between them was real, the "Blue Danube" was composed in 1866; Johann Strauss Sr. died in 1849, and hence could not have been late to the premiere of the "Blue Danube," since he was "late" already.
- Quotes
Johann Strauss, the Younger: Oh Resi, stop please, you- you must let me explain, I- Oh listen Resi, I- I'll give up my music altogether. It's the only thing to do.
Resi Ebezeder: You mean you'd really give up your music for me?
Johann Strauss, the Younger: Of course I will, you mean more to me than- than ambition or anything.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits expounds on the source material as "the great Alhambra London success".
- ConnectionsFeatured in Reputations: Hitch: Alfred the Great (1999)
- SoundtracksRadetsky March
Composed by Johann Strauss Sr.
Featured review
The least shown of Hitchcock's sound films
British romantic drama from Gaumont and director Alfred Hitchcock details the events surrounding the 1866 writing of "The Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss II (Esmond Knight). Strauss lives in the disapproving shadow of his famed father (Edmund Gwenn), and the younger man hopes to make a name for himself with his own compositions. He's cheered on by baker's daughter Resi (Jessie Matthews), and he also catches the eye of Countess Helga (Fay Compton). Also featuring Frank Vosper, Robert Hale, Charles Heslop, Hindle Edgar, and Marcus Barron.
Hitchcock described this film as "the lowest ebb of my career", and it's arguably the least-shown of his sound films, and the only one that I had not seen until now. It's not as bad as I expected, but it won't find too many fans, either. Despite some of Hitchcock's directorial flourishes popping up now and then, this movie still resembles many British productions of the time, which all seem to have a certain indefinable remoteness to them. Perhaps it's the lack of close ups or a certain flat lighting technique or just the style of acting, but I find myself rarely becoming engaged in the onscreen action. As I said though, I didn't find this movie to be a complete bore or waste of time, as some of the shooting is inventive, the costumes and sets are good, and there's the music, of course.
Hitchcock described this film as "the lowest ebb of my career", and it's arguably the least-shown of his sound films, and the only one that I had not seen until now. It's not as bad as I expected, but it won't find too many fans, either. Despite some of Hitchcock's directorial flourishes popping up now and then, this movie still resembles many British productions of the time, which all seem to have a certain indefinable remoteness to them. Perhaps it's the lack of close ups or a certain flat lighting technique or just the style of acting, but I find myself rarely becoming engaged in the onscreen action. As I said though, I didn't find this movie to be a complete bore or waste of time, as some of the shooting is inventive, the costumes and sets are good, and there's the music, of course.
helpful•30
- AlsExGal
- Jan 25, 2023
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $121
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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