old straw hat, and you have a fair comprehension of the prospect and atmosphere ... Brackett and Wilder have made up with casualness and charm—and with a great deal of clever sight-humor—for the meagerness of the idea. And Bing has provided the substance which the farcical bubble may lack ... Set against gorgeous mountain scenery and richly palatial rooms, The Emperor Waltz is a project which should turn the blue Danube to twinkling gold." Variety said the film "has a free-and-easy air that perfectly matches the Crosby style of natural comedy. Co-star Joan Fontaine, better known for heavy, serious roles, demonstrates adaptability that fits neatly into the lighter demands and she definitely scores with charm and talent as the Crosby foil." John McCarten of The New Yorker called the film "a pleasant bit of spoofing", adding, "This is ancient stuff, all right, but Bing Crosby, in the role of the phonograph salesman, makes everything seem effortless and diverting, and Joan Fontaine, as the countess, reveals a nice talent for farce." A later assessment by Channel 4 states, "This sweet and sickly fare might just remain as a forgettable little trifle, were it not for the pen and lens of Wilder, one of the greats. There are so few bad Wilder films that one this awful and irredeemable is heart-breaking." Awards and nominations Edith Head and Gile Steele were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Color Costume Design but lost to Dorothy Jeakins and Barbara Karinska for Joan of Arc. It was the first year an award in this category was presented. Victor Young was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture but lost to Johnny Green and Roger Edens for Easter Parade. Wilder and Brackett were nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical, but lost to Sidney Sheldon, Frances Goodrich, and Albert Hackett for Easter Parade. References Citations Bibliography External links 1948 films 1948 musical comedy films American musical comedy films Films scored by Victor Young Films about dogs Films directed by Billy Wilder Films produced by Charles Brackett Films set in Vienna Films set in Austria Films set in the 1900s Films shot in Alberta Paramount Pictures films Films with screenplays by Billy Wilder Films with screenplays by Charles Brackett 1940s American films