Fresh
The producers are to be congratulated on every phase of the beautiful production except their lack of courage cutting the film.
Kate Cameron, New York Daily News
The Great Ziegfeld
The Sensation of the Century!
1936 · 3h 5m · Approved
Drama, Music, Romance
Directed by
Robert Z. Leonard
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The Great Ziegfeld
Overview
At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, sideshow barker Florenz Ziegfeld turns the tables on his more-successful neighbor Billings, and also steals his girlfriend. This pattern repeats throughout their lives, as Ziegfeld makes and loses many fortunes putting on ever-bigger, more spectacular shows
Director and cast
- Robert Z. Leonard Director
- William Powell as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
- Myrna Loy as Billie Burke
- Luise Rainer as Anna Held
- Frank Morgan as Billings
- Fanny Brice as Fannie Brice (as Fannie Brice)
- Virginia Bruce as Audrey Dane
- Reginald Owen as Sampston
- Ray Bolger as Ray Bolger
- Ernest Cossart Cast
- Joseph Cawthorn Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
72%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Considering the recent screen standards in book musicals with five numbers for 100 to 110 minutes of running time this Metro Santaclausing of numbers becomes virtually a double-feature filmusical.
Abel Green, Variety
Fresh
If the picture overcrowds its screen, at least we must admit it is an impressive kaleidoscope; and probably nothing short of that could reflect the gaudy career of America's foremost showman.
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
Rotten
It's amazingly dull, even with William Powell in the lead and guest appearances by the likes of Ray Bolger and Fanny Brice, so of course it won the Best Picture Oscar for 1936.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Rotten
Although some of the production's technical aspects remain impressive, the dramatic elements come across as trite and many of the musical numbers are dated.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
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