I recently watched the whole movie for the first time and found it overstuffed and too long, but it was worth every minute to see Ray Bolger, pre Wizard of Oz, showing his brilliance as a tap dancer.
And while I was never as great a fan of Fannie Brice, this is probably the closest most people get to seeing her at her best in film also.
It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices
I agree regarding Ray Bolger; his turn is simply exceptional.
I agree also that the movie is too long and at times banal.
I would say the movie is worth a look for historical reasons, and also for the impressive stage scenes, which imo are as good as one might see anywhere. I'm not a fan of colorisation but this is one movie that begs for it to happen.
While I'm here, and with specific reference to Bolger's turn, but the comments also apply generally; how scary were some of those sets? An Occupational Health and Safety nightmare.
yes i would give all my money for a colourization. for now i just imagine what the sets did look like in real life.
i think this movie is worth watching for people interested in theatre history specifically musical theatre history.
i wish there was a ziegfeld in current day who would blow his funds for the most spectacular shows.
The movie is really turgid. You can tell it was expensive as hell, but it's a spectacle and a narration, not a real film.
The most bizarre part of the movie for me was the little girl who was hung up on Ziegfeld and grew up to come onto him. I could have done without that.
Then they whitewashed the affair Ziegfeld had during his marriage to Anna Held. We're meant to think that his wife got the wrong idea when she walked in on them, but come on.
Of the stars that were showcased, both Ray Bolger and Fannie Brice were fine. I thought Fannie Brice looked spectacular when she was dressed up and glammed up. It turned out to be a mistake, and they dressed her down (her feelings were hurt, but then Ziegfeld explained what he was showcasing her for). I could see Brice's appeal - haven't seen the real Brice outside of this movie. They also showed Harriet Hoctor, a fake ballerina who was really a contortionist. Her specialty was a backbend en pointe where she kicked herself in the head.
Luise Rainer was absolutely ridiculous in her showcase moment that won her the Academy Award, but I BELIEVED her. It's just that she is so damn mannered. The eyes darting everywhere, the hands, the fluttering, the whole thing.
Ziegfeld wasn't musical theatre. He was spectacle. There were some great shows of the era. The Astaires (Fred and Adele) did Gay Divorce, Funny Face and other big hits that had real story, music and dance. I think Vernon and Irene Castle had hits. Ginger Rogers herself was in Top Speed, and Girl Crazy, and other B'way hits. Vaudeville was still a thing. But Ziegfeld? He did reviews. It was all about the visual, not the music. It was huge spectacle, and then a little talent in between, like a live action Ed Sullivan show.