The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

William Powell - Florenz Ziegfled Jr.

Myrna Loy - Billie Burke

Luise Rainer - Anna Held

Frank Morgan - Jack Billings

Ray Bolger and Fannie Brice as themselves

If someone had told me that I would enjoy a 3 hour film from 1936 about a man I really don't know anything about, I would have asked one question......"Well, who's in it?" After they answer, "William Powell", I would respond with a resounding "Heck, yes I would!!" 

If you ever, and I mean ever, get a chance to see a film with William Powell, don't think, just sit down and enjoy! He has a certain magnetism that, for me, is unexpected and after several viewings of his movies, it has now stuck with me. I will never second guess his talent again. 

You must be thinking, "She must be bringing this up because this movie is superb and without flaws and I must go see it." Well, you have every right to think that but that's not the case. It's not the best film I've ever seen but it certainly has stellar performances from everyone in it and it helps to at least know something about the guy to really enjoy the story, but it's not necessary. So though it maybe isn't the best thing ever made, you should still give it a try! I feel pretty confident you will not be disappointed.

Here's what I know: 

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was married to Billie Burke who, 3 years after this movie came out, would grace the screen as Glinda, the Witch of the North from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). I knew that she had been a stage actress earlier in her career and read that she had enjoyed playing Glinda so much because the character and costumes reminded her of her theater/stage days. This movie reiterated that statement with the theater world she came from and kind of costumes that she wore.

The name "Ziegfeld" gives me no great pause, as it may for others. I only know the name from a movie I've seen and own (well it's more like a series of skits put together on film) called "Ziegfeld Follies of 1946" (1945). It has a SLEW of stars in it from that era including Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Kathryn Grayson, etc. So my only connection with the name "Ziegfeld" was from a movie that was inspired by the classic Ziegfeld shows, but made many years after his passing. It was more of a tribute to a man that always yearned to bring elegant, elaborate beauty to theater audiences.  

However, to actually watch a movie about the man was so incredibly interesting. It was wonderful to find out how he began his career, be introduced to the people he knew and worked with, and how his classic shows started and changed the theater world. These are the things I just love finding out! Gosh, I love old movies!

The Performances: 

Not to be redundant but William Powell was great in this film. He embodied Ziegfeld, well as much as I think he did. The way Ziegfeld was portrayed he seemed to be a gambler and dreamer of a business man. He had grand ideas but never really had enough money to put on a show and never wanted to put up any of his own money if he had it, but always willing to gamble on others fortune. He was a ladies man, but not on a disgusting way. Considering he showcased a number of beautiful women in extravagant gowns on grandiose sets, he never seemed to be a man who would take advantage of a woman. He instead had a keen eye for beauty and how they should be dressed for glamour. That doesn't mean he didn't take his leading ladies out and buy them expensive gifts (even while married), I still seemed to understand and believe that he loved his wife. He just seemed to be a compulsive spender and would give money to just about everybody he knew, including a waiter or bellboy even when he was flat broke. He'd be glad to give the little guy some extra change. 

William Powell can be an obnoxious stooge if he wants to or a debonair gentleman. He has the ability to switch between the two without so much as a bead of sweat or obvious transition. For some reason, it's believable for him to embody both personality types. 

Myrna Loy plays Billie Burke in the film and, as I've recently found out from a friend, was personally approved by Ms. Burke herself. I can only imagine what it would be like to play a role of a person still alive and able to correct you if you got it wrong. However, there wasn't enough of Billie in the story for them to get anything too wrong, I imagine. Of the 3 hour film, we don't actually see Billie until 15 minutes after the 2 hour mark. I will always speak highly of Myrna Loy as an actress but beyond the 6 or 7 times we see her on screen, there really isn't too much to add other than: she was beyond beautiful and an incredibly natural actress. Pairing her with William Powell never disappoints. 

Luise Rainer as Ziegfeld's first wife, Anna Held, was quite a force in this film. Her character, I believe, is supposed to be flighty and emotional. Of course sometimes the extraneous emotions are valid but for the most part, they make you fidget and stand on edge because she seems so anxious. Though I thought this characterization would only annoy me, I quickly understood it and instead welcomed it as something quite fresh and comical. The amount of times she asks him to leave a room and come back again in a matter of 5 minutes is hilarious. She does this when phoning him as well that it isn't annoying, but instead becomes a familiar gag that, quite surprisingly, doesn't get old. Like the other characters around her, you instead accept it as normal, almost expected, behavior. It's important to note that she won the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance in this film, this being her second Oscar, the first from only the year before. Also, this won the Best Picture Academy Award as well, beating out "Mr Deeds Goes To Town" (Frank Capra), "Liabeled Lady" (another William Powell and Myrna Loy picture) among others.

I also must include a short mention of Frank Morgan. Many know him as The Great and Powerful Oz/Professor Marvel from "The Wizard of Oz". Well, he is just as delightful and entertaining in this film. The slow transition of his character from adversary to friend of Ziegfeld is a delightful aspect to this film. It says so much about both men and it's done in a very believable way.

Things That Stood Out:

 

Fanny Brice - She's hilarious and it was wonderful to see her poke fun at herself (a natural thing she did) but to do it from her own history. Her faces were wacky and she was hilarious but, just as Ziegfeld says, she could tear your heart out in a split second with her rendition of "My Man".

Ray Bolger - He plays a prop man behind the scenes on the Ziegfeld show and we find him dancing while he cleans up. Many know Ray as the Scarecrow from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). What some might not know is that he was supposed to play the Tin Man originally but lobbied to be the Scarecrow instead and I personally think he was born to play that part. With that piece of trivia trapped in your head for the time being, a part that I thought was delectable: We find him dancing while cleaning up behind stage when Ziegfeld asks about his job and such. Ray says, "I've been a property master for 5 years, but my heart just isn't in it.", to which Ziegfeld replies, "That's a long time to live without a heart!" Does everyone now understand why I squealed with delight at that exchange. You're welcome! Now go tell your friends!

Rhapsody In Blue - If you ever find yourself watching a movie, TV Show or listening to music and "Rhapsody In Blue" (Gershwin) comes on, it will always be something that stands out. It is one of the most perfect pieces of music ever constructed by man. I know that many might think that about the classic composers like Mozart and Beethoven, but when it comes to our more modern world, George and Ira Gershwin were the closest things to musical perfection we had on this earth. I think it's important to mention both brothers even though "Rhapsody" was only George's creation. It's roughly 16 minutes of melodic brilliance that will always give me chills and probably make me cry at the drop of a hat. I must have inherited this from my Mother because I've been there to witness these same emotions take her over with this same song. To not be completely changed by this after listening, well you're just not doing it right! I feel I must say that in the movie, they only used a portion of the song but it happened to be the exact moment that I will always tear up! Sometimes when something is so beautiful, you just have to cry. It may have been these 3 minutes that solidified my enjoyment of this film. This paragraph, as you can tell, has no bias what-so-ever.

Okay, now for the finale:

If you at all enjoy old films, Ziegfeld, William Powell, Myrna Loy or Luise Rainer, plan an evening to watch this delightful film. If you enjoy any of those things mentioned, the movie will not disappoint. If you do not know or enjoy any of those things....well then explore the world outside your comfort zone and keep an open mind. I think the movie and you yourself will be surprised.