Biography

Emo's only expressly propagandist film was Wien 1910 (1943), which was made with the intention, through its distorted representation of the politics of Vienna around the anti-Semitic Karl Lueger and the German nationalist Georg Ritter von Schönerer, of legitimizing the Anschluss of Austria by Germany. The attempt failed, however, as the film was still too "Austrian" for the National Socialists and was forbidden to be shown in the Ostmark, as Austria was known under National Socialist rule; in Germany it attracted little interest.

Father of actress Maria Emo.

Leading Austrian film director. notably with Wien Film in the 1930's and 40's. Emo began as an actor, then worked his way up to production manager and assistant director. From 1928, he directed numerous mainstream entertainments, often operettas or comedies which featured Austria's most popular stars of that genre, Paul Hörbiger and Hans Moser. His post-war career was less distinguished, his last hit comedy being the Theo Lingen/Hans Moser vehicle Der Theodor im Fußballtor (1950).

He often worked together with the actors Paul Hörbiger, Theo Lingen and especially Hans Moser and he was essentially involved in the growing popularity of them. Other regular casted actors were Heinz Rühmann and Wolf Albach-Retty.

Before he gained a foothold in the film business he served as a young man for the army during World War I. After the war he first worked as an extra and he made first cinematical experiences in different positions behind the camera.