The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Costume
Literally thousands of costumes — each number more absurdly opulent than the last.
Direction
Five directors, one film, zero coherence, somehow works.
Acting
Fanny Brice's comedic timing cuts through all the gloss.
Director
Vincente Minnelli
William Powell
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire / Raffles / Tai Long / Gentleman
Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
Lucille Bremer
Princess ("This Heart of Mine") / Moy Ling ("Limehouse Blues")
Fanny Brice
Norma Edelman (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
Judy Garland
Star (segment "A Great Lady Has an Interview")
Kathryn Grayson
Kathryn Grayson (segment "Beauty")
Lena Horne
Lena Horne (segment "Love")
Gene Kelly
Gentleman (segment "The Babbit and the Bromide")
James Melton
Alfredo (segment "La Traviata")
Victor Moore
Lawyer's Client (segment "Pay the Two Dollars")
Red Skelton
J. Newton Numbskull (segment "When Television Comes")
Esther Williams
Esther Williams (segment "A Water Ballet")
Edward Arnold
Lawyer (segment "Pay the Two Dollars")
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
William Powell filmed his scenes as the heavenly Ziegfeld while simultaneously dying of cancer in real life — his final feature appearance.
This was MGM's most expensive musical until An American in Paris, essentially a victory lap using sets and costumes stockpiled during WWII production freezes.
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Ah yes, the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate of the MGM musical canon. *EVERYONE IS HERE!!!!!*
@bychrischannel 4
Currently looking at Ziegfeld Follies. Seen it before. Always liked it. Colorful costumes worn by the ladies in the film. Thanks for presenting the original 1946 trailer.
@Celluloidwatcher 2
This is it. The locus of brilliance.
@vephanos 1
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