Toscha Seidel, the Russian virtuoso violinist, was hired especially to dub the solos on the soundtrack for Johann Strauss (Fernand Gravey) and began a new career working as a concert master at MGM and other studios.
Charles Boyer reportedly turned down the starring role.
Prologue: "In Vienna in 1844 'nice people' neither dance the waltz...nor kissed their wives in public...nor listen to new ideas...In 1845 came Johan Strauss II and his immortal melodies...We have dramatized the spirit rather than the facts of his life, because it is his spirit that has lived--in his music."