The Great Ziegfeld (1936) in Color — Starring William Powell & Myrna Loy

The Great Ziegfeld (1936) — Buy This Classic in Color

Own a beautifully restored version of The Great Ziegfeld (1936) in colour — the most lavish musical biography Hollywood has ever produced. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Luise Rainer, this classic film is now available as a premium digital download. Originally shot in black and white, every frame has been professionally colorized in HD so you can experience Broadway’s golden age with breathtaking new depth.

The Story

The film follows the extraordinary life of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. (William Powell), from his humble beginnings as a sideshow promoter at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair to his reign as the king of Broadway entertainment. After discovering the magnetic French singer Anna Held (Luise Rainer), Ziegfeld transforms her into an international star and launches the legendary Ziegfeld Follies — a series of spectacular stage revues that redefined American show business.

As Ziegfeld’s ambitions grow ever larger, his personal life becomes increasingly turbulent. His marriage to Anna Held crumbles under the weight of his relentless devotion to the stage, culminating in Luise Rainer’s legendary telephone scene — one of the most celebrated moments of acting in cinema history. He later marries actress Billie Burke (Myrna Loy), but the pattern of extravagance and financial recklessness continues.

The story is punctuated by spectacular musical sequences, including the iconic “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody” number staged on a towering revolving staircase with hundreds of performers. Frank Morgan provides comic warmth as Ziegfeld’s rival-turned-friend Billings, while Fanny Brice plays herself in show-stopping routines lifted directly from the real Follies. Virginia Bruce dazzles as ambitious showgirl Audrey Dane, and Ray Bolger — years before The Wizard of Oz — delivers an energetic dance performance.

At nearly three hours in length, The Great Ziegfeld is a sweeping portrait of ambition, glamour, heartbreak, and the irresistible pull of the spotlight. Robert Z. Leonard crafts an epic that balances intimate personal drama with some of the most extravagant production numbers ever committed to film.

Cast & Crew

• William Powell as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
• Myrna Loy as Billie Burke
• Luise Rainer as Anna Held
• Frank Morgan as Billings
• Fanny Brice as herself
• Virginia Bruce as Audrey Dane
• Reginald Owen as Sampston
• Ray Bolger as Ray Bolger
• Ernest Cossart as Sidney
• Director: Robert Z. Leonard
• Runtime: 185 minutes
• Year: 1936
• Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
• Rating: Approved
• IMDb Score: 6.6/10

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally restored and colorized version transforms the visual experience of The Great Ziegfeld. The golden stage curtains, sequined costumes, elaborate Art Deco sets, and the sheer spectacle of the Follies production numbers all come alive with carefully applied colour. The famous revolving staircase sequence — one of the most ambitious musical numbers of the 1930s — gains extraordinary dimension when viewed in full color, with silk gowns, floral arrangements, and theatrical lighting rendered in rich, natural tones.

When The Great Ziegfeld premiered in 1936, it became one of the most expensive and ambitious films of its era. It swept the Academy Awards, winning three Oscars including Best Picture (1937). Luise Rainer’s devastating telephone scene earned her the Best Actress award — the first of her back-to-back wins — and the film set new standards for what a Hollywood musical biography could achieve in scale and emotional depth.

Buying this restored classic film means you own a piece of cinema history — no subscriptions, no expiry dates, no restrictions.

What You Get

• Original Format: Black and white (1936), professionally colorized
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 185 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email after purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use
• DRM-Free: Play on any device — TV, PC, Mac, iOS, or Android

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is The Great Ziegfeld considered such an important film?
It won three Academy Awards including Best Picture and set the template for the large-scale Hollywood musical biography. Its production numbers were unprecedented in ambition and scale, and Luise Rainer’s telephone scene remains one of the most iconic moments in classic movie history.

Q: How does the colorization handle the musical sequences?
The elaborate Follies sequences — with their hundreds of performers, towering sets, and intricate costumes — have been colorized with particular care. Period-accurate colours for fabrics, stage lighting, and scenic elements were researched to ensure the restored visuals reflect the opulence of the original productions.

#Q: How do I receive my download after purchase?
You receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after payment. A backup link is also sent to your email address. There is no waiting period.

Q: Is this the original 1936 film?
Yes. This is the complete original The Great Ziegfeld (1936) directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The only change is the addition of professional frame-by-frame colorization to the original black and white footage.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
Yes. The file is completely DRM-free. You can watch it on any device that plays MP4 files, including Smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and phones.

Q: What devices can I play this on?
Any device that supports MP4 playback — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and most Smart TVs.

Related Colorized Classics

• Show Boat (1936)