The ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.The ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.The ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.
- Director
- Writer
- William Anthony McGuire(screenplay)
- Stars
- Director
- Writer
- William Anthony McGuire(screenplay)
- Stars
- Won 3 Oscars
- 4 wins & 5 nominations total
Videos1
- Fannie Briceas Fannie Brice
- (as Fannie Brice)
- Dr. Ziegfeldas Dr. Ziegfeld
- (as Joseph Cawthorne)
- Director
- Writer
- William Anthony McGuire(screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
- Taglines
- 10 Big Shows In 1
- Genres
- Certificate
- Passed
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe sequence "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" was filmed in two lengthy takes after several weeks of rehearsals and filming (a definite cut is made when moving to a close-up on the singer dressed as Pagliacci, presumably to effect a change of camera position, necessary to start the inexorable move up the huge staircase). It features 180 performers and cost $220,000; 4,300 yards of rayon silk were used for the curtains in the scene.
- GoofsDuring the circus number, each dog moves forward into a box painted on the floor of the stage. The second dog from the right moves forward out of the box, then is seen back in the box in the next shot.
- Quotes
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.: [after catching Ray Bolger doing a little softshoe backstage] Buddy, you're better with your feet than you are with your broom.
Ray Bolger: Mr. Ziegfeld, you think so? Gee, I wish you'd give me a chance. I've got talent, and I'd like to get away from shifting scenery and moving props.
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.: How long have you been a property boy?
Ray Bolger: Five years, but my heart hasn't been in it.
Ray Bolger: You've been working a long time without your heart, buddy.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits display the title of the film and the names of the stars in marquee lights, as they would be on Broadway.
- Alternate versionsThe DVD release runs 185 minutes, and includes the overture, entr'acte and exit music, as presented in the original "road show" version of the film.
- ConnectionsEdited into Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
- SoundtracksHarriet Hoctor Ballet
(1936) (uncredited)
(also called "A Circus Must Be Different in a Ziegfield Show")
Music by Con Conrad
Lyrics by Herb Magidson
Sung and danced by male and female choruses
Danced by Harriet Hoctor
The two lines spoken in the restaurant about cheese and coffee are quick and funny. There is some good writing in the script.
The women involved with Ziegfeld's personal life are captured in essence, not in specifics; since many of them were alive at the time this film was made they couldn't be portrayed in any detail that could get the film makers sued for defamation. Luise Rainer is very miscast as a French musical entertainer, but she does try to capture the general essence of her character's offstage circumstances. Ms. Rainer got an award for her hard-drama performance here, but why the heck do you need a gut-wrenching dramatic style in a musical movie in which she portrays a music hall entertainer? Great actress, dramatic performance, wrong role. After all, she isn't portraying the life story of Sarah Bernhardt here.
Extravagantly mounted and staged musical productions are highlights over the sentimental biography. The biography is totally dependent on William Powell's immense charm. To me the biographical parts of this film are shallow and more of a tribute to Powell than to Ziegfeld, while the musical parts are clearly Ziegfeld.
- Panamint
- Nov 10, 2015
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Der große Ziegfeld
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 2h 56min
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1