The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Released by MGM in 1936 and directed by Robert Z. Leonard, The Great Ziegfeld is a sprawling, opulent biographical musical-drama chronicling the life and legacy of Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Starring William Powell in the titular role, alongside Myrna Loy as Billie Burke and Luise Rainer in an Oscar-winning performance as Anna Held, the film is a landmark in Golden Age Hollywood—both for its lavish production and for its place in cinematic history.

Plot Overview

Spanning from the 1890s through the 1920s, the film traces Ziegfeld’s journey from a struggling showman to the mastermind behind the famed Ziegfeld Follies, a series of dazzling theatrical revues that defined American popular entertainment for decades. We follow his rise to fame, his romantic entanglements, and the eventual decline of his health and fortune. The story is told in a linear fashion, punctuated by extravagant musical sequences that evoke the grandeur of the original Follies.

Performance & Casting

William Powell, with his signature suave charm, gives a commanding performance as Ziegfeld. He captures both the entrepreneurial zest and the emotional vulnerability of the character. Powell’s chemistry with both Rainer and Loy adds dramatic depth, particularly in his transition from his marriage to the temperamental diva Anna Held to the more grounded and loyal Billie Burke.

Luise Rainer, in what is now regarded as one of Hollywood’s iconic performances, imbues Anna Held with tragic fragility and vibrant charisma. Her telephone scene—where she tearfully pretends to be happy for Ziegfeld after learning of his new love—is a masterclass in screen acting and justly earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Myrna Loy, though appearing relatively late in the film, brings warmth and steadiness as Ziegfeld’s second wife, actress Billie Burke. Her elegance complements Powell’s energy, and her role provides a quiet emotional anchor in the film’s second half.

Direction & Production

Director Robert Z. Leonard crafts the film with a grand theatrical eye. While the narrative itself is a fairly standard rags-to-riches biopic, it’s elevated by the sheer extravagance of the musical numbers. The film’s centrepiece—the wedding cake-like A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody number—remains a breathtaking technical feat. Lasting over seven minutes, it features a rotating stage and dozens of performers, capturing the spectacle that made Ziegfeld a legend.

The film’s pacing does occasionally lag, especially in the second act, where the narrative gives way to lengthy musical interludes. Yet this is also part of the film’s charm—it mimics the very excess that defined Ziegfeld’s life and productions.

Themes and Legacy

At its heart, The Great Ziegfeld is a celebration of American showmanship and the pursuit of theatrical grandeur. It is also a melancholic reflection on fame, legacy, and the cost of ambition. Ziegfeld is portrayed as both a genius and a flawed man—driven, often reckless, but ultimately devoted to his vision of beauty and entertainment.

The film won three Academy Awards—including Best Picture, Best Actress (Rainer), and Best Dance Direction—and helped solidify MGM's reputation for big-budget prestige pictures. Today, while its length and structure may feel dated to modern audiences, the film stands as a vibrant time capsule of both its subject and the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Conclusion

The Great Ziegfeld is more than a biopic—it is a shimmering ode to the spirit of Broadway, brought to life by unforgettable performances and MGM’s unparalleled production values. For fans of classic Hollywood and lovers of musical spectacle, it remains a must-see.

Rating:

Lavish, emotionally resonant, and historically significant—though at times overlong (it could be trimmed by about an hour!), it's a glittering triumph of old Hollywood cinema.