The Great Ziegfeld is a 1936 American musical drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Hunt Stromberg. It stars William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr., Luise Rainer as Anna Held, and Myrna Loy as Billie Burke. The film depicts the rise of Florenz Ziegfeld, a theater producer renowned for his lavish stage spectacles during the 1920s.
The movie was envisioned on a lavish scale and had a budget of $2 million, making it MGM's biggest at that time. It ran for two hours and 50 minutes, which was claimed to be the longest running time ever for a U.S. film. The film received critical acclaim and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Plot
The Great Ziegfeld portrays the life of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., a renowned producer of extravagant stage revues. The film depicts his ups and downs, from his early days as a sideshow barker at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to his rise as a theater producer famous for his lavish stage productions during the 1920s.
The movie showcases his relationships, including a love triangle involving actresses Anna Held and Billie Burke. It also illustrates his career, from promoting individual performers to establishing the famous Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway, known for featuring numerous women in spectacular shows.
Trailer
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Cast
Main Cast:
- William Powell as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
- Myrna Loy as Billie Burke
- Luise Rainer as Anna Held
- Frank Morgan as Jack Billings
- Fannie Brice as herself
- Virginia Bruce as Audrey Dane
- Reginald Owen as Sampson
Supporting Cast:
- Ray Bolger as himself
- Ernest Cossart as Sidney
- Joseph Cawthorn as Dr. Ziegfeld Sr.
- Nat Pendleton as Sandow
- Harriet Hoctor as herself
- Jean Chatburn as Mary Lou
- Raymond Walburn as Sage
- A. A. Trimble as Will Rogers
- Buddy Doyle as Eddie Cantor
- Mae Questel as Rosie (uncredited)
- William Demarest as Gene Buck (uncredited)
Additional Cast:
- Charles Judels as Pierre
- Marcelle Corday as Marie
- Herman Bing as Costumer
- Gladys Ahern
- Wanda Allen
- Franklyn Ardell
- Gertrude Astor
- Patricia Bailey
- Bonnie Bannon
- Jack Baxley
- Robert Bradford
- Sheila Browning
- James P. Butler
- Maxine Cantway
- Wallis Clark
- Clay Clement
- Helen Collins
- Diane Cook
- Pauline Craig
- Adrienne D'Ambricourt
- Bill Days
- Sarah Edwards
- Kay English
- Claudia Fargo
- Ruth Gillette
- Peter Gowland
- Virginia Grey
- Beatrice Hagen
- Bert Hanlon
- Patricia Havens-Monteagle
- Marcia Healy
- Shep Houghton
- Mary Howard
- John Hyams
- Alf James
- Wanda McKay
- Frank McGlynn Jr.
- William Newell
- Eddie Nugent
- Gertrude Quigley
- John Roche
- William Royle
- Ferdinand Schumann-Heink
- Charles Sullivan
- Edward van Sloan
- Charles Waldron
- Franklyn Ardell
- Gladys Ahern
- Wanda Allen
- Gertrude Astor
- Patricia Bailey
- Bonnie Bannon
- Jack Baxley
- Robert Bradford
Director: Robert Z. Leonard
Writer: William Anthony McGuire
Box office: $40 million
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Musical
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 1936
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Themes & reception
The film was praised for its lavishness, attention to detail, and honesty of purpose. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film's centerpiece musical number, "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," was also well-received.
Challenges Faced
The production of The Great Ziegfeld (1936) faced numerous financial challenges and hurdles. The film was lengthy and had a big budget, making it MGM's most expensive production at the time.
Over a thousand people were employed in the production, adding to the complexity and cost of the film. Despite these challenges, the film went on to become a Best Picture winner and received critical acclaim.
Visual Styles & techniques
The visual style and techniques of The Great Ziegfeld have been noted for their lavishness and grandeur. The film is considered a visual treat, known for its opulent and extravagant portrayal of show business stardom.
The movie's visual style reflects the grandeur and spectacle associated with the Ziegfeld Follies and the world of theatrical production during the 1920s.
The film's use of lavish sets, elaborate costumes, and large-scale musical numbers contributes to its visual appeal and reflects the opulence of the era.
Setting
The setting of The Great Ziegfeld primarily takes place in the theatrical world of the early to mid-20th century, focusing on the rise of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. as a renowned producer of extravagant stage revues.
Additionally, the movie features settings such as Chicago and New York, capturing the essence of these bustling cities during the early 20th century.
Trivia
- The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- The movie's centerpiece musical number, "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," was well-received.
- The film's lavishness, attention to detail, and honesty of purpose were praised.
- The production faced financial challenges due to its length and big budget, making it MGM's most expensive production at the time.
- The film's visual style and techniques were noted for their opulence and grandeur, reflecting the world of theatrical production during the 1920s.
- The setting primarily takes place in the theatrical world of the early to mid-20th century, focusing on the rise of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. as a renowned producer of extravagant stage revues.
Fun Fact
The Great Ziegfeld had a runtime of two hours and 50 minutes, which was claimed to be the longest running time ever for a U.S. film at that time.