9. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Director: Robert Z. Leonard

Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer

Other Oscar Wins: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Luise Rainer), Best Dance Direction

Other Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Best Writing, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing

Favourite Line: "I've got to have more steps. I need more steps. I've got to get higher. Higher."

A scene from The Great Ziegfeld.

The Great Ziegfeld is an absolutely visually stunning film about the life of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr, and his relationships with his first wife, Anna Held, and his second wife, Billie Burke.

First and foremost, The Great Ziegfeld is absolutely gorgeous. The costumes, designed by Adrian, are absolutely fabulous, and the art direction by Cedric Gibbons and Eddie Imazu is definitely deserving of it's Oscar nomination. The "A Pretty Girl is like a Melody" scene (pictured here), which is definitely the most extravagant scene in an already very extravagant movie, was actually shot in one continuous take, and it took weeks to rehearse and months to build. The scene includes 180 performers, 4300 yards of rayon silk for the curtains alone, and it cost $220,000.

Art by Olly Moss

The acting in the film is also superb from all the leads. William Powell is wonderful as Ziegfeld, and is so genuine and endearing in his role that you can't help but feel for him throughout the film. Luise Rainer as Anna Held certainly deserved her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. It is impossible to take your eyes off her whenever she is on screen. 

 A few interesting facts about The Great Ziegfeld. The real Billie Burke was quite involved in the writing of the screenplay. She took special care to make sure that the writers never besmirched the name of Ziegfeld. Despite her interest in the writing, it is said that she didn't care too much for the film in the long run. I also found it interesting that Myrna Loy, who portrays Billie Burke in the film, is given second billing, even though she does not appear on screen until 2 hours and 15 minutes into the film.

Overall, The Great Ziegfeld is a beautiful movie and is certainly a film worth watching.