The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

In the colorful spectacle of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a charismatic sideshow barker, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., outshines his successful rival, Billings, not only by stealing the limelight but also his girlfriend. This saga of one-upmanship sets the stage for Ziegfeld's flamboyant life, a glittering canvas of ambition and romance, success and setbacks. Starting as a promoter of individual performers, Ziegfeld's vision and audacity propel him to the zenith of theater production, masterminding the extravagant Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway during the roaring 1920s. Ziegfeld, a man whose love for women is as grand as his shows, orchestrates a dazzling love triangle involving the French revue star, Anna Held, who becomes his first wife, and the radiant Billie Burke. As he navigates the tumultuous waves of his personal life, Ziegfeld's professional world mirrors the drama and spectacle. The film brings to life portions of his larger-than-life shows, encapsulating the man who "glorified the American girl." Late in his life, now married to Billie Burke, he appears to be a fallen star, his fortunes lost, yet the curtain hasn't closed on Ziegfeld's story yet. The Great Ziegfeld elegantly intertwines the threads of ambition, rivalry, and love, painting a vivid portrait of a man whose life was as dramatic and lavish as the shows he created.

The Great Ziegfeld is a drama movie featuring William Powell and directed by Robert Z. Leonard.

It is possible to buy The Great Ziegfeld on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.