This little satire is one of Bing Crosby's less appreciated efforts, but watching him stroll through the countryside yodeling is worth the whole film. In the wake of World War II, genius director Billy Wilder wisely chose to mock the Austrian Court and its rituals at the beginning of the 20th century. The Americanized ridicule of the Hapsburg Empire is typical Crosby fare as the great crooner ba-ba-be-ba-boos in Joan Fontaine's face and she later mimics him. The scene of villagers fiddling is charming, and there is a very cute dance trio on the "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame" number. There is not enough music in the film to make it a good musical, but it is about a gramophone salesman! The movie does eventually go to the dogs, but you have to see it to understand what that means. Favorite line: "I think you're full of pickled pumpernickel, the both of you!"
Review of The Emperor Waltz
