MartinHafer During the 19th century, Empress Sisi of the Austria-Hungarian Empire was the darling of Europe. She was pretty and the newspapers turned her into a sensation. In many ways, the hubbub around her was like that of the late Princess Diana Windsor...with people adoring her though not exactly sure why. In real life, Sisi was a strange, vain lady who couldn't live up to this public image...after all, who could?! Well, because of her huge popularity in her time, it's not at all surprising that she was the subject of quite a few films...such as the lavish Sisi series starring Romy Schneider. Like this series, "The King Steps Out" is pretty much fiction...showing a strong romance with her eventual husband, Emperor Franz Josef...though in real life they could barely stand each other and spent much of their married life apart! So, if you see this film, remember that it is NOT really a biography...just an excuse to see the opera star Grace Moore sing!The story purports to be the love story of Franz Josef and Sisi. Originally, the Emperor was going to marry Sisi's sister, but the sister already had a boyfriend. As for Sisi, she and the Emperor meet and fall in love...not knowing who the other was. All in all, both appear to be swell, down to Earth people. Apart from the names, pretty much all the story is fiction.So is it any good? Well, the history teacher within me says no because the film is a historical nightmare. But, on the positive side, while it's a Grace Moore film, she doesn't sing all that much...a major plus for most viewers since most viewers don't want to hear opera music. Overall, pleasant fluff that bears almost no semblance to Sisi or Franz Josef.

ksf-2 SPOILERS *** Not sure why they called this "King Steps Out"... the leader of this burg seems to be Emporer Franz Josef, played by Franchot Tone. There are dukes, duchesses, princesses, colonels and captains, but no kings. Walter Connolly, known for his comedy is the duke of bavaria. Franchot Tone is the Emporer, and has the guards bring up "Cissy", the girl picking flowers. (Grace Moore) She keeps busting out into song. Yawn. This one would have been better if they jazzed up the script and left out the songs completely. Mistaken identities, silly inn-keepers, interfering parents, and suddenly they're in love. A couple twists, here and there. Its OK. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, who apparently had a reputation as a real jerk, acc to various sources. An interesting tale where Charlie Chaplin burned one of Sternbergs films, since it came out so terrible. Wikipedia has a whole entry on "Woman_of_the_Sea"... sadly, the film seems to be lost to time. When you watch this one, mute the operatic numbers and just enjoy the show.

edwagreen Supporting players Walter Connolly and Elizabeth Risdon steal the show with their portrayals in this 1936 comedy.Lovely to watch Grace Moore in a real flighty role for her; a sister who goes with her father to break up the forthcoming nuptials of her sister, Frieda Inescort to Emperor Franchot Tone. Naturally, we can go who falls in love with whom. Moore sings to the right notes and we have some very humorous moments at the carnival honoring the Emperor's birthday.A delightful comedy with a superior cast. The typical 1930s comedy with the odd twists.

samhill5215 This one is tough to honestly evaluate. On the one hand you have Grace Moore and her wonderful voice, able and adequate supporting roles, notably by the always reliable and graceful Frieda Inescort, Franchot Tone and Walter Connoly, and of course Sternberg's direction. For me at least that's reason enough to watch any movie, even this one which in some ways is an utter disaster. On the other there's just too much silliness, foolishness and Herman Bing. He can be aggravating enough even in small doses but he does way too much of that trademark tongue rolling and quaking of his for my taste.And then there's the ages of the real Sisi (Moore's character, Elisabeth of Bavaria) and Franz Josef (Tone's character). When Sisi married Franz Josef she was 16 and he 24, not 40 and 30, the ages of Moore and Tone respectively. Even given the generous poetic license the producers took with the real story which is nothing if not tragic, there's only one way to look at this movie. It is nothing more than a vehicle for Grace Moore. And maybe that's reason enough to watch it.