Ziegfeld biography

Series of elaborate theatrical revue productions

This article is about the Ziegfeld Follies Broadway shows. For the 1945 film, see Ziegfeld Follies (film).

The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1957.

They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air.

Ziegfeld biography

Founding and history

Inspired by the Folies Bergère of Paris, the Ziegfeld Follies were conceived and mounted by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., reportedly at the suggestion of his then-wife, the actress and singer Anna Held.

The shows' producers were turn-of-the-twentieth-century producing titans Klaw and Erlanger.

The Follies were a series of lavish revues, something between later Broadway shows and the more elaborate high-class vaudeville and variety show.

The first follies, The Follies of 1907, was produced that year at the Jardin de Paris roof