The Ziegfeld Follies was a lavish American show known for its lavish stage productions, chorus of beautiful women, and a wide range of performers. Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. was the man behind it. Ziegfeld was born in Chicago, Illinois in March 1867 and was destined for a career in show business.
The Ziegfeld Follies of 1907, a stage production modeled after the Parisian musical revue known as the Folies-Bergére, brought his musical triumph to life. The show premiered at the New York Theater in July 1907. The Follies featured a chorus line of women dancing in costumes that were considered daring at the time. Despite his inability to write music, direct, or design, Ziegfeld created a musical empire that dominated the early twentieth century theater scene. His ability to attract audiences to his events was due to his ability to showcase beautiful women, hire the best talent, and create fantastic spectacles.
The show was renamed the Ziegfeld Follies in 1911, and it remained popular for another 24 years. The Ziegfeld Follies featured an eclectic mix of dance, comedy, musical skits, and extravagant production numbers. It was known for its glamorous female dancers, dubbed “Ziegfeld girls,” who performed in the show. Anna Held, Billie Burke, Fannie Brice, Eddie Cantor, Will Rogers, and W.C. Fields were among the celebrities who graced the stage of the Follies. Shows like Sally, Rio Rita, Rosalie, Show Boat, and Bitter Sweet were popular at the time.
Ziegfeld’s widow granted permission for other promoters to use his name in their productions after his death in 1932. The promoters hoped to use Ziegfeld’s name to draw large crowds to their own performances. These later Follies productions, however, were unable to match the commercial success of the original Ziegfeld Follies.
The Zeigfeld Follies were not reintroduced to the public until the release of the film The Great Ziegfeld, starring William Powell. It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Dance Direction at the 1936 Academy Awards. A 1946 film starring Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, and other Hollywood greats, titled Ziegfeld Follies, gave later audiences a glimpse into what it was like at the original Ziegfeld Follies.
The Ziegfeld Follies, a cross between Broadway and a high-class Vaudeville variety show, captivated audiences with its glitz, glamor, and beautiful show girls. Ziegfeld was a natural performer who understood what the public wanted to see. Despite his inability to write music, direct, or design stage productions, Ziegfeld put together a formidable team of directors, composers, and performers to help him propel his musicals into the annals of entertainment.