Waltzes from Vienna - Alfred Hitchcock

 Waltzes from Vienna is not a film I have seen on DVD, nor have I ever seen it available as part of a collection. However, I did just take about 90 min and watched it on Youtube. From what I have read, this film was done to fulfill a contract. It was not something Hitchcock wanted to do, and that seems clear when watching it.

If you have seen a lot of music-bio films, especially from the early days, you will totally know what this film is like. It is about Johann Strauss Jr, and his writing of the Danube Waltz. Of course, there has to be a romantic conflict between the baker's daughter he is in love with, and the countess who wants to support his art. There has to be conflict between the old school represented by his father Johan Strauss, and himself trying to make his own way in music, but also following his fathers footsteps by staying in music. There has to be the eternal conflict between art (being a musician) and commerce (being a baker so that he will be accepted by his girls father, and be allowed to marry her). All of this conflict is resolved in a nice happy ending. The whole Danube Waltz is played so musically you won't miss anything. It is a neat little film that doesn't really show any of the personal Hitchcock touches I have seen so far. There is comedy through out - in fact the whole first segment that deals with a fire in the bakery is played for comedy. All of this is very fitting for the type of film this is - a lightweight British comedy-drama from the 1930's. If you are looking for a thriller, this is not it.