"THE GREAT WALTZ"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 15

"THE GREAT WALTZ"

A MUSICAL MASTERPIECE

Familiar to all who ever dance or listen to music is the lilting music of Johann Strauss, who may justly claim the title of Waltz King of the world. This music has been incorporated again and again in musical plays and also in films, so often, in fact, that one might bd excused for thinking that enough has been heard of it to satisfy all legitimate desires for- a considerable time. But film magnates have apparently thought otherwise, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer sensed that in Oohann Strauss was material upon which lavish expenditure would be justified. First and foremost was his ever-popular music; then there was romance in his life, and, what is more, Johann Strauss lived in Vienna in the days (a hundred or so years ago) when that city was the gayest in Europe. Here are the ingredients, said Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in effect, for a first-class film: let us collect the best cast available, the finest orchestras, and the result may be a musical masterpiece, a real sensation in the film world. That they were right in their estimation of the possibilities centring in a musical film with Johann Strauss as the presiding genius, and that they succeeded in their endeavours to produce a masterpiece, was the unanimous .verdict oJt those who attended the initial screening at the Majestic Theatre yesterday of "The Great Waltz." The picture, in addition to being a musical masterpiece, is also a spectacular triumph, with acting on the very highest, level. Johann Strauss is seen, when the story opens, as a young man ignorniniously fired from the bank in which he had been working because musical scores for new waltzes interested him more than ledger figures. He determines to make his living by music, inherent in his blood, undaunted by the impecunious fate of other composers. Loyally backed by his fiancee, he gathers together a motley crowd ol friends and forms a dance orchestra which gets an engagement in a restaurant. Fame seems a long way oil until a famous operatic star, casually coming into the. restaurant, sings one of his waltz' songs. Financially the young and hitherto unknown composer is now made, and the leading music publisher in Vienna enters into a handsome contract with him. Morally, however, Johann Strauss is nearly ruined. The glamorous operatic star toys witn his affections and alienates him from his wife whom he married as soon as fStSe smiled on him. He is.instrumental in saving the star from the fmy of the mob during a revolution, succumbing still further to her charms Svhe is commissioned to write a special opera for her and such is fhP success of this that the world is StaSJfcally at their feet. They plan to go away together, but at the last moment the better nature of the be witchin° vamp comes uppermost ana she sends Johann back to his unselfish is the old, old story of the eternal triangle? but its background is what makes "The Great Waltz" ■different-* background of all the glories of old VienS? with its gay Court scenes and colourful life. About the acting and musk^ there can. hardly be two opinions, both deserving superlatives, bym phony orchestras of nearly 100 players play waltzes, operatic airs, and othei compositions by Johann Strauss and they play them as they should be played. Stars fill the leading roles, stars specially selected for the productio- Miliza Korjus makes her screen debut as the tempting and tantalising operatic star. She is beautiful to look at, can act superbly and with humour, and has a marvellous voice over which film fans will inevitably . rave; Luise Rainer is emotional and appealing as the composer's faithful and loving wife; and Fernand Gravet, in the role of Johanrj Strauss,: shows thatwFrance is capable of producing as"fine ajscreen actor as any other country. V Lionel Atwill. Hugh Herbert, and many others complete as strong a cast as has been seen and heard for a long time. It is not possible to do more than mention a scene here and there in the glittering sequences that unfold themselves, eye and ear both being lavishly catered for. Nothing more charming, for instance, could be imagined than the scenes in the Vienna Woods whither the lovers go to escape the revolutionary mob, and all the time, with hardly a break, the ear is delighted by the music. Superb as the acting is, it is made all the more effective by the introduction of much humour, never forced but very entertaining. Judged solely" a's a musical entertainment, "The Great Waltz" stands at the top of the tree: judged solely as a spectacular and entertaining story, "The Great Waltz" occupies a similar high place. With these two aspects taken together, there is every justification for calling "The Great Waltz" a masterpiece—nane for the full enjoyment of which it is by no means necessary to be a musical adept. Incidents in the supporting programme's gazettes include the visit of the King and Queen to Canada and the Thetis disaster. Glimpses of Australia are shown in a coloured film, and there are seyeral short supports of merit and varying appeal.