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The Great Waltz

  • 1938
  • Approved
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Fernand Gravey, Miliza Korjus, and Luise Rainer in The Great Waltz (1938)
In 1845 Vienna, Johann Strauss II - Schani to his friends - would rather write and perform waltzes than anything else, this at a time when a waltz is not considered proper society music. After he is fired from his clerical bank job because of his preoccupation with composing, he decides to follow his passion and form an orchestra. After some famed opera singers, including Carla Donner, hear his music, they expose Schani's music to the masses, to royalty and to music publisher Julius Hofbauer. As such, Schani becomes the toast of Vienna. With his new found musical fame, Schani's life, which includes his work in the European Revolutions, changes. He becomes torn for his love for his loving and faithful wife Poldi Vogelhuber and his more emotionally passionate but somewhat destructive love for Carla Donner, who herself is involved with Count Anton Hohenfried.
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24 Photos
BiographyDramaMusicMusicalRomance

Johann Strauss II pursues his passion for waltzes in 1845 Vienna, facing societal resistance. His music gains popularity through opera singers, leading to fame and personal conflicts between... Read allJohann Strauss II pursues his passion for waltzes in 1845 Vienna, facing societal resistance. His music gains popularity through opera singers, leading to fame and personal conflicts between his wife and a passionate affair.Johann Strauss II pursues his passion for waltzes in 1845 Vienna, facing societal resistance. His music gains popularity through opera singers, leading to fame and personal conflicts between his wife and a passionate affair.

  • Directors
    • Julien Duvivier
    • Victor Fleming
    • Josef von Sternberg
  • Writers
    • Gottfried Reinhardt
    • Samuel Hoffenstein
    • Walter Reisch
  • Stars
    • Luise Rainer
    • Fernand Gravey
    • Miliza Korjus
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Julien Duvivier
      • Victor Fleming
      • Josef von Sternberg
    • Writers
      • Gottfried Reinhardt
      • Samuel Hoffenstein
      • Walter Reisch
    • Stars
      • Luise Rainer
      • Fernand Gravey
      • Miliza Korjus
    • 53User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 4:35
    Trailer

    Photos24

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    Top cast74

    Edit
    Luise Rainer
    Luise Rainer
    • Poldi Vogelhuber
    Fernand Gravey
    Fernand Gravey
    • Johann Strauss
    • (as Fernand Gravet)
    Miliza Korjus
    Miliza Korjus
    • Carla Donner
    Hugh Herbert
    Hugh Herbert
    • Hofbauer
    Lionel Atwill
    Lionel Atwill
    • Count Hohenfried
    Curt Bois
    Curt Bois
    • Kienzl
    Leonid Kinskey
    Leonid Kinskey
    • Dudelman
    Al Shean
    Al Shean
    • Cellist
    Minna Gombell
    Minna Gombell
    • Mrs. Hofbauer
    George Houston
    George Houston
    • Schiller
    Bert Roach
    Bert Roach
    • Vogelhuber
    Greta Meyer
    Greta Meyer
    • Mrs. Vogelhuber
    Herman Bing
    Herman Bing
    • Dommayer
    Alma Kruger
    Alma Kruger
    • Mrs. Strauss
    Henry Hull
    Henry Hull
    • Franz Josef
    Sig Ruman
    Sig Ruman
    • Wertheimer
    • (as Sig Rumann)
    Christian Rub
    Christian Rub
    • Coachman
    Ernie Alexander
    • Revolutionary
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Julien Duvivier
      • Victor Fleming
      • Josef von Sternberg
    • Writers
      • Gottfried Reinhardt
      • Samuel Hoffenstein
      • Walter Reisch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      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.
    • Quotes

      Johann 'Schani' Strauss II: Thanks for firing me, Mr. Wertheimer. Goodbye, you worms!

    • Connections
      Featured in Another Romance of Celluloid (1938)
    • Soundtracks
      Tales From the Vienna Woods, Op.325
      (1868) (uncredited)
      Music by Johann Strauss
      Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
      Hummed by Fernand Gravey as it is being composed
      Sung by Miliza Korjus
      Played as background music often

    User reviews53

    Featured review

    One of my absolute all time favorite movies!

    A perfect and absolute delight from beginning to end. The great music of Johann Strauss is performed in such beautiful, elaborate settings! MGM reproduced Vienna and the era perfectly. It is too bad this was the only film in which Miliza Korjus appeared. Such a magnificent voice and charming personality! The carriage ride in the Vienna Woods and that final, unbelievable, note she holds for what seems like eternity are never to be forgotten. Luise Rainer is wonderful and could always convey such emotion without ever uttering a word. Perfect casting, with so many great character actors in supporting roles.
    • richardjstanford
    • Apr 6, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Great Waltz?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Life of Johann Strauss
    • Filming locations
      • Chino, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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