Of Emmerich Kalman's operettas, from personal opinion, 'Die Czardasfürstin' ('The Csardas Princess') is his best. It has a fun and sweet story, that considering that the stories are not always strong suits in operetta is quite high praise, and wonderful music.
As well as my fondness for the operetta, the other main reason for seeing this version of 'Die Czardasfürstin' was Marta Eggerth. The more seen of her, the more she significantly grows on me, which has led me to believe that the quality of her performances are dependent on the type of role and also whether her voice suits the music (there have been times in better known films in her filmography, like 'For Me and My Gal', that neither is the case). To me, 'Die Czardasfürstin' is up there among her best films and performances and of this and the Anna Moffo version, while that was lovely too, this is the superior one.
Eggerth is just delightful. She sounds wonderful in music tailor-made for her voice, has such a charming presence and genuinely looks like she's having a lot of fun. Hans Söhnker is a youthful, dashing leading man, Paul Kemp is lively and amusing and Inge List is a beguiling presence as Stasi.
On top of that, the costumes and sets are suitably elegant and the photography almost dream-like. Kalman's wonderful music is performed throughout with verve and lushness, the story entertains and touches with seldom a dull moments and the dialogue sparkles.
Let's not forget the vividly fiery and performed-with-such-naturalness dancing, the dynamic choreography, assured direction or the witty and sweet without being saccharine dancing.
In conclusion, delightful film version. 10/10 Bethany Cox
