Rasi (Jessie Matthews), a pastry chef's daughter, and dedicates all his songs to
her. Alfred Hitchcock's
Waltzes From Vienna
Le Chant du Danube ~ French Language
NOW ON DVD
(To order eMail CHAFIN@COMCAST.NET)
Johann Strauss Jr. (Esmond Knight) is the son of the famous
conductor and composer, and plays the violin in his father's orchestra. He
hasn't had any of his own compositions performed or published because
Strauss Sr. (Edmund Gwenn) sternly discourages it. Not dismayed,
Strauss Jr gives singing lessons to his gifted sweetheart
Rasi (Jessie Matthews), a pastry chef's daughter, and dedicates all his songs to
her.
Then he meets a Countess (Fay Compton) who has written some verses and asks his help in setting them to music. When her husband, the prince (Frank Vosper), hears from a servant that a young man is upstairs with his wife, he storms into the music room, but the name of Strauss placates him. Later, Rasi isn't so easily placated, for she senses a rival.
However, the Countess essentially has Strauss Jr's best interests at heart. With a publisher friend, she successfully plots to have the elder Strauss delayed one night so that Jr's new composition, "The Blue Danube", may receive a performance. Strauss Jr. conducts the waltz himself, becoming the sensation of Vienna. Soon afterwards, though the Prince's suspicions have briefly been aroused again, everyone is finally reconciled.
While
Alfred Hitchcock himself did not consider
Waltzes From
Vienna one of his masterpieces, others have found the movie "rather
charming" and no serious Hitchcock collection should be without it. This is the
French Version and a real charmer, a nice touch to
add to your collection of the works of The Master.
Shot in 1933 B&W by Gaumont-British, G.F.D., UK. Aka "Strauss' Great Waltz". Music by Johann Strauss the Elder & Johann Strauss the Younger. Stars Jessie Matthews, Esmond Knight, Frank Vosper, Fay Compton and Edmund Gwenn. 52:45 minutes.
This French version of Waltzes From Vienna was recorded from French TV, in French language and has never been released commercially in the US. We possess an excellent copy of this great classic and with our state-of-the-art equipment we make available a limited number of excellent reproductions. The cost of DVD is $40.00 + postage (first class shipping $2.38, Priority $4.95. Overseas $3.00). This reproduction is sold collector to collector. The seller owns no rights to this movie and no transfer of rights is given or implied. Defective discs will be replaced with same title only. No refunds.
You may pay with your credit card through PayPal PayPal edress to use: chafin@comcast.net.
Or send Money Order or check to: Al Chafin, 116 Bay Hill Ct., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-3602.
This Site Was Last Updated 07/05/2009
