The Great Ziegfeld

Although the Hollywood Citizen-News called it "...a picture false in biography, a glittering avalanche of legs and tinsel" upon its release, Robert Z. Leonard's 1936 musical biopic The Great Ziegfeld would go on to nab Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (Luise Rainer, as one of Ziegfeld's wives), and Best Dance Direction. The true merit of the film--a Hollywood-style biography of showman Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. (the irrepressible William Powell) that boasts a few pull-out-all-the-stops song and dance extravaganza numbers--lies somewhere between these two critical poles. A handful of show people play themselves, most notably Ziegfeld star Fanny Brice (who Barbra Streisand was born to play, and did in Funny Girl). Making its debut on DVD, the film's image quality is variable, with lines, blemishes, and soft spots on and off throughout (although the musical numbers look great), while the Dolby Digital mono sound is solid if not particularly full-bodied. DVD extras include a new 13-minute “making of” featuring Ziegfeld's real-life daughter, Patricia; and premiere newsreel footage. Given its Oscar pedigree, this overlong but often enjoyable film is recommended. (R. Pitman)