AS SEEN ON TV: FLO ZIEGFELD

On this date in 1907, Florenz Ziegfeld staged his first "Follies" on the roof of the New York Theater in New York City.

FLO ZIEGFELD

AS SEEN IN:
"Ziegfeld: The Man And His Women"

AS PLAYED BY:
Paul Shenar

From Wikipedia:
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. (March 21, 1867 � July 22, 1932), (sometimes also called "Flo" Ziegfeld), was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the Ziegfeld Follies (1907�1931), inspired by the Folies Berg�re of Paris. He also produced the musical Show Boat. He was known as the "glorifier of the American girl".

The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as "The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air".

Inspired by the Folies Berg�res of Paris, the Ziegfeld Follies were conceived and mounted by Florenz Ziegfeld, reportedly at the suggestion of his then-wife, the entertainer Anna Held. The shows' producers were turn-of-the-century producing titans Klaw & Erlanger.

His stage spectaculars, known as the Ziegfeld Follies, began with Follies of 1907, and were produced annually until 1931. These extravaganzas, with elaborate costumes and sets, featured beauties chosen personally by Ziegfeld in production numbers choreographed to the works of prominent composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerome Kern. The Follies featured many performers who, though well-known from previous work in other theatrical genres, achieved unique financial success and publicity with Ziegfeld. Included among these are Nora Bayes, Fanny Brice, W. C. Fields, Eddie Cantor, Marilyn Miller, Will Rogers, Bert Williams and Ann Pennington.

BCnU!