Joan Fontaine as Johanna Augusta Franziska in 'The Emperor Waltz' Designed by Edith Head

Period gown consisting of [214 A] bodice with nude fabric low cut at front, back and sleeves, overlay of black chiffon and netting heavily ornamented at bodice, shoulders and sleeve with black lace and horizontal pleating at neckline, vertical pleating at waist; [214 B] black silk faille base skirt with self-accordion pleated ruffle, over layer skirt of black chiffon with horizontal pleating detail at waist, ornamented at mid skirt with band of hand work consisting of black lace and pleated chiffon, a black chiffon ruffle at hem, attached under ruffle of same fabric (waist band of skirt stamped "Paramount Ladies Wardrobe."); [214D] prop petticoat of black nylon netting; [214C] prop pearl necklace.

Joan Fontaine was a British American actress who seemed to be always feuding with her older sister, Olivia de Havilland- both in their personal lives and their acting careers. She was a poised aristocratic actress who had already been nominated for two Oscars for her performances and was known for her heavy, serious roles. Paramount borrowed Fontaine from RKO to play this role in the musical comedy.

The film is about an American gramophone salesman trying to sell the contraption to Emperor Franz Joseph. In addition, there is are the plots of the salesman wooing Countess Johanna Augusta Franziska von Stoltzenbert-Stolzenberg (Joan Fontaine), the mating of her poodle with an undesirable breed, the subsequent poodle’s nervous breakdown and the dog’s treatment by a Freudian psychologist. Perfect material for a 1948 musical film concerning social differences.

Costume designer, Edith Head was instrumental in the campaign to get The Academy to recognize costume designers with an award for costume design. Her work on this film was probably the finest she had created up to this time in her creation of elegant turn-of-the century Viennese fashions. She seemed to be “shoe-in” for the first award. However, a year later when the Academy began giving out the awards, she was disappointed when she lost out to the designs from “Joan of Arc.” Edith Head was nominated for Best Costume Design in 1948 for her work on this film. It was her first nomination.