The Emperor Waltz (1948): cast, story & where to watch
1948 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1948, The Emperor Waltz is a comedy, romance and music film directed by Billy Wilder, running about 106 minutes. “Bing hits the high notes! Joan hits the love notes! You'll hit a happy note... in this king-sized muscial wonder!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. At the turn of the 20th century, travelling salesman Virgil Smith journeys to Vienna in the hope he can sell a gramophone to Emperor Franz Joseph, whose purchase of the recent American invention could spur its popularity in Austria.
Who’s in it. The Emperor Waltz stars Bing Crosby as Virgil Smith, Joan Fontaine as Johanna Augusta Franziska, Roland Culver as Baron Holenia and Lucile Watson as Princesse Bitotska, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, The Emperor Waltz has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Emperor Waltz page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Emperor Waltz tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Emperor Waltz (1948)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Emperor Waltz change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Emperor Waltz worth watching?
- The Emperor Waltz holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, romance and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Emperor Waltz?
- The Emperor Waltz stars Bing Crosby, Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, Lucile Watson and Richard Haydn.
- When was The Emperor Waltz released?
- The Emperor Waltz was released in 1948, with a runtime of about 106 minutes.