The Emperor Waltz is a 1948 American musical film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Bing Crosby and Joan Fontaine. The film is set in 1912 and follows the adventures of Virgil Smith, an American gramophone salesman, who travels to Vienna to sell his latest invention to Emperor Franz Joseph. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful countess, played by Joan Fontaine, and gets caught up in a complicated web of political intrigue.
The film features several popular songs, including "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame," "The Emperor Waltz," and "Friendly Mountains." The film's set design and costumes were inspired by the Imperial Austrian Court, and the film was shot on location in Vienna, giving audiences a glimpse into the grandeur and beauty of the city.
Despite being a critical and commercial success, The Emperor Waltz is often overlooked when compared to some of Wilder's other films, such as Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot. However, it remains a charming and entertaining musical comedy that captures the spirit and romance of turn-of-the-century Vienna.