The Great Ziegfeld

The Great Ziegfeld 1936

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Plot Summary


Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was born into an upper-middle-class family in the late 19th century, where he inherited a love for classical music from his father and an appreciation for fashion and refined manners from his mother. Dr. Ziegfeld envisioned his son taking over the family music business, but after the 1893 World Fair, Flo’s ambition to become a legendary showman was ignited.

Learning from his past experiences at the World Fair, he took the bold step of combining attraction with sex appeal, leading to a successful national tour with the strongman Sandow. Following their split, Flo ventured to Europe in search of fresh talent, where he fortuitously crossed paths with his best friend, Billings, who was also a rival producer. Suspecting Billings was on the verge of signing a new star, Flo cunningly discovered the identity of this mysterious talent and swiftly secured the brilliant French singer Anna Held for himself, even while nearly broke.

Living extravagantly while relying on borrowed funds, Flo established connections that allowed him to stage a spectacular show. Despite his efforts to promote Anna’s beauty, her singing initially went unnoticed, particularly among American women. A clever publicist, Flo arranged for 20 gallons of milk to be delivered to Anna, thereby concocting a publicity stunt when he intentionally defaulted on the bill. The creditor’s lawsuit turned into a media spectacle, declaring Anna’s milk baths as her secret to beauty, which transformed her into a household name. Consequently, Flo’s financial deficits began to vanish, and by 1907, his marriage to Anna had become quite monotonous.

With aspirations to showcase a plethora of talent, Flo envisioned a production filled with girls on an expansive stage where all could behold the show. He successfully pitched this concept to Billings, who then sold it to renowned producer Erlanger, thus commencing 24 years of the Ziegfeld Follies. However, Flo’s numerous affairs, particularly with Follies star Audrey Dane, ultimately cost him his marriage, leading to Anna’s divorce. He later wed stage actress Billie Burke, and they welcomed a daughter named Patricia.

As time went on, Flo’s lavish lifestyle and accruing debts began to weigh heavily on him. In a desperate bid, Billie sold her jewelry to support Flo’s latest endeavors. He staged a noteworthy comeback with four hit shows running at once on Broadway, yet this success was fleeting. The 1929 stock market crash devastated his finances, leaving him in ruins.

Ill and despondent, an aging Flo could only watch as Billie worked tirelessly to keep them afloat. Following a heartfelt visit from his old friend Billings, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. passed away in his apartment—just across from the iconic Ziegfeld Theatre sign, leaving behind a legacy interwoven with brilliance and tragedy.

Timeline


Florenz Ziegfeld Jr's Early Life

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was born into an upper-middle-class family in the late 19th century. He inherited a love for classical music from his father, while his mother instilled in him an appreciation for fashion and refined manners.

Inspiration from the World Fair

In 1893, Flo's visit to the World Fair ignited his ambition to become a legendary showman. He was inspired to combine attraction with sex appeal, leading to his first bold steps into the entertainment industry.

1893 World Fair

Touring with Sandow

After learning from his experiences at the World Fair, Flo set off on a successful national tour with the strongman Sandow. This partnership allowed him to gain valuable experience and build a network in the entertainment world.

Venture to Europe

Following the split with Sandow, Flo traveled to Europe to scout fresh talent. Here, he fortuitously met his best friend and rival producer, Billings, which sparked his desire to outshine his competition.

Europe

Securing Anna Held

In a clever move, Flo discovered that Billings was about to sign a new star and swiftly secured the talented French singer Anna Held for himself. Despite being nearly broke, this acquisition marked a turning point in his career.

Publicity Stunt with Milk

To promote Anna's beauty and talent, Flo orchestrated a dramatic publicity stunt involving 20 gallons of milk. This stunt backfired, leading to a media spectacle that portrayed Anna's milk baths as her secret to beauty.

Rise to Fame

As a result of the milk publicity stunt, Anna became a household name, and Flo's financial troubles began to ease. This newfound fame allowed him to establish himself as a successful producer in New York City.

Birth of the Ziegfeld Follies

Flo pitched his ambitious vision for a grand production filled with beautiful girls on a vast stage, securing a deal for the Ziegfeld Follies. This production would last for 24 years, becoming a landmark in American entertainment.

Marital Struggles

Flo's numerous affairs, particularly with Follies star Audrey Dane, strained his marriage to Anna, ultimately leading to their divorce. This period marked the decline of his personal relationships amidst professional success.

Marriage to Billie Burke

After his divorce from Anna, Flo married stage actress Billie Burke, with whom he had a daughter named Patricia. This new family dynamic brought both joy and further financial strain to his life.

Financial Struggles

Despite initial success, Flo's extravagant lifestyle and mounting debts began to take their toll. Billie Burke's sacrifice of selling her jewelry illustrated the desperation to support Flo’s ambitions.

Broadway Comeback

Flo managed to stage a notable comeback with four hit shows running simultaneously on Broadway. Unfortunately, this success proved to be short-lived as his financial issues resurfaced.

Broadway

The Stock Market Crash

The 1929 stock market crash devastated Flo's finances, leading to significant losses. This event marked a turning point in his career as he struggled to recover from the economic downturn.

1929

Final Days

In his final days, an aging and ill Flo watched helplessly as Billie worked tirelessly to keep them afloat. His decline was not just personal but also financial as he faced the consequences of his earlier choices.

Apartment

Legacy and Passing

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. passed away in his apartment, just across from the iconic Ziegfeld Theatre sign. His legacy is interwoven with both brilliance in showmanship and personal tragedy, remembered fondly in American entertainment history.

Near Ziegfeld Theatre

Characters


Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

A visionary showman, Ziegfeld is relentless in his quest for success in the entertainment world. His charm and creativity enable him to turn innovative ideas into spectacular shows, though his ambition often leads to personal sacrifices. Despite his brilliance, his flaws contribute to the unraveling of his relationships and fortunes.

🌟 Showman 🎶 Creative 💔 Tragic

Anna Held

A talented French singer, Anna becomes the centerpiece of Ziegfeld's theatrical ambitions. Initially undervalued, her rise to fame is orchestrated by Ziegfeld's clever publicity stunts. Despite their marriage, her beauty and talent are overshadowed by Ziegfeld's relentless pursuit of success.

🎤 Singer 💃 Star ❤️ Tragic

Billie Burke

Billie is Ziegfeld's second wife, embodying unwavering support for his endeavors. As his financial struggles escalate, she sacrifices her own belongings to aid him. She represents both the emotional ballast and the personal costs of Ziegfeld's extravagant lifestyle.

🎭 Actress 💎 Supportive 💔 Resilient

Setting


Time period

Late 19th century to 1929

The film spans the late 19th century, capturing a transformative era in entertainment. The 1893 World Fair marked a significant cultural shift, inspiring many, including Ziegfeld, to innovate theatrical performances. The subsequent events, notably the 1929 stock market crash, reveal the volatility of success during this period.

Location

New York City, Europe

New York City serves as the vibrant hub of American entertainment, particularly during the early 20th century. Known for its theaters and cultural diversity, it became the perfect backdrop for Ziegfeld's grand productions. Europe is highlighted as a source of fresh talent and inspiration, integral to Ziegfeld's artistic journey.

🏙️ City 🌍 Europe

Themes


Ambition

The theme of ambition runs deep in Ziegfeld's journey, showcasing his relentless pursuit of success in the entertainment industry. His innovative ideas, such as merging glamour with performance, highlight the lengths one will go to achieve dreams. However, this ambition also leads to personal turmoil and financial ruin.

💔

Love and Loss

Ziegfeld's relationships, particularly with Anna Held and Billie Burke, reflect the complexities of love intertwined with ambition. As his career flourished, personal sacrifices became evident, leading to heartache and divorce. The interplay between his love life and career choices ultimately showcases the high cost of success.

🎭

Theatricality

The essence of theatricality is crucial as Ziegfeld revolutionizes stage productions with grandiose spectacles. His flair for drama and publicity stunts captivates audiences, emphasizing how performance can manipulate public perception. This theme is central to the legacy left by Ziegfeld, pushing the boundaries of entertainment.

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