The Great Ziegfeld: Living or Dead?

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Which cast and crew of 1936 film by Robert Zigler Leonard The Great Ziegfeld are living and who are dead?

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By Algore Rythms

Updated 18 March 2023

Artist	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Credit	Source
License	pd
Desc	Poster for the 1936 film The Great Ziegfeld
Usage	Public domain

Image info/credit

1936 film by Robert Zigler Leonard

The Great Ziegfeld

Released	1936 (86 years, 10 months ago)

Director	Robert Zigler Leonard
Duration	176 minutes
Awards	Academy Award for Best Picture and Academy Award for Best Actress
Genre	biographical film, musical film and drama film
Nominated for	Academy Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for Best Director, Academy Award for Best Story, Academy Award for Best Film Editing, Academy Award for Best Picture and Academy Award for Best Production Design
Composer	Walter Donaldson
Production company	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Country of origin	United States of America
Screenwriter	William Anthony McGuire
Producer	Hunt Stromberg

About The Great Ziegfeld

The Great Ziegfeld, a 1936 musical biopic directed by Robert Z. Leonard, is a dazzling tribute to the life and career of the legendary Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. The film stars William Powell as Ziegfeld, Luise Rainer as his first wife Anna Held, and Myrna Loy as his second wife Billie Burke.

The film is a lavish spectacle, with elaborate musical numbers, stunning costumes, and impressive sets. The centerpiece of the film is the famous "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" sequence, which features a massive staircase and over 180 chorus girls. The sequence reportedly cost over $200,000 to produce, making it one of the most expensive scenes in Hollywood history at the time.

Despite its length (the film runs over three hours), The Great Ziegfeld is a captivating and entertaining look at the life of one of the most influential figures in American theater history. Powell gives a charismatic performance as Ziegfeld, capturing both his charm and his flaws. Rainer and Loy are also excellent in their roles, bringing depth and nuance to their characters.

The film was a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It remains a beloved classic of the Hollywood musical genre, and a testament to the enduring legacy of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

References:

- Ebert, R. (1997, January 12). The Great Ziegfeld. RogerEbert.com. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-ziegfeld-1936

- The Great Ziegfeld. (n.d.). Turner Classic Movies. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/76703/the-great-ziegfeld#overview