1h 46min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 30 April 1948 (London) | Color
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder
Stars: Bing Crosby, Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, Lucile Watson, Richard Haydn, Sig Ruman.
Billy Daniel ... choreographer
The beautiful "Alpine" scenes were apparently shot in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.
The one and only musical directed by Billy Wilder (6th of 26; although Some Like It Hot ('59) has musical numbers). However, 14 of his 75 writing credits are musicals, 8 before his American career.
Amazing that the Emperor is played by Richard Haydn. I can hear a little of his voice, but the makeup/beard is very thoroughly disguising his face. Of course, he plays old well, as he did in another Wilder script, Ball of Fire (1941).
There's a very cute dance number in ch11, with a chauffeur dancing ballet, then social dancing with a couple of hotel employees.
Bing sings, of course. 5 songs in the Soundtracks, but no performers listed, and I didn't track them to see if the dance number was among them.
BC falls for aristocrat JF, his dog falls for her dog, the emperor wants her dog to breed with his dog. And BC is trying to sell a phonograph to the emperor, or at least get his endorsement.
The plus is for the extra pacing Wilder brings to some scenes.
Paramount, dir. Wilder; 6+
