Am one of the few critics who was disappointed by 1938's "The Great Waltz." While it is true that the music is wonderful, it also must be noted that the first part of the film is rather dull.
Luise Rainer came into this film after back to back Oscar wins in 1936 and 1937. At the beginning of the film, her behavior is rather churlish. That laughter that she displays is outright annoying. It is only when she is married to Strauss that she shows maturity and her performance becomes better.
Miliza Korjus, a wonderful opera singer, sings beautifully here but when she speaks, I thought I was viewing a comedy. Ms. Korjus reminded me of a Bette Midler talking like the late comedienne Martha Raye or as Katina Paxinou did in "Mourning Becomes Electra" in 1947.
The picture takes place during the backdrop of the various revolutions circa 1848. As far as this film was concerned, I never saw a revolution go by so quickly.
The film basically deals with the romance between Strauss (an appealing Fernand Gravet) and Carla Donner (Ms. Korjus- who acts more like a Prima Dona here).
It is ironic that the film did little to enhance the careers of Gravet, Rainer and Korjus. Korjus never made another American film despite her Oscar nomination as best supporting actress. After a series of flops, Rainer was washed up in films by 1942 and who ever heard of Gravet again?
Luise Rainer came into this film after back to back Oscar wins in 1936 and 1937. At the beginning of the film, her behavior is rather churlish. That laughter that she displays is outright annoying. It is only when she is married to Strauss that she shows maturity and her performance becomes better.
Miliza Korjus, a wonderful opera singer, sings beautifully here but when she speaks, I thought I was viewing a comedy. Ms. Korjus reminded me of a Bette Midler talking like the late comedienne Martha Raye or as Katina Paxinou did in "Mourning Becomes Electra" in 1947.
The picture takes place during the backdrop of the various revolutions circa 1848. As far as this film was concerned, I never saw a revolution go by so quickly.
The film basically deals with the romance between Strauss (an appealing Fernand Gravet) and Carla Donner (Ms. Korjus- who acts more like a Prima Dona here).
It is ironic that the film did little to enhance the careers of Gravet, Rainer and Korjus. Korjus never made another American film despite her Oscar nomination as best supporting actress. After a series of flops, Rainer was washed up in films by 1942 and who ever heard of Gravet again?