The Great Ziegfeld

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.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 10:16