Episode 31: Ziegfeld Follies (Part 2)

“Follies” seems so appropriate. This week, your hosts finish our discussion of ZIEGFELD FOLLIES, that star-studded dud of a musical revue. They say that failure is a great teacher, and we certainly learned a lot about what we don’t like, and what doesn’t work, watching this one. If you are truly interested in the deeper workings of comedy, watching old comedy can be fascinating. It’s not funny – but it is fascinating. While it may have been an effort to get through this movie, that effort was rewarded handsomely by the penultimate number: a duet between Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire that shows them both off at their best, with charm and wit to spare. Don’t bother to watch the whole movie, it’s right here on Youtube: The Babbitt and the Bromide Take a listen, and if a segment seems interesting – watch it on Youtube and let us know what you thought! Ziegfeld Follies (1945) Rating: 6.4/10 (3,947 votes)Director: Lemuel Ayers, Roy Del Ruth, Robert LewisWriter: David Freedman, Hugh Martin, Ralph BlaneStars: William Powell, Judy Garland, Lucille BallRuntime: 110 minRated: ApprovedGenre: Comedy, MusicalReleased: 08 Apr 1946 Plot: The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. looks down from Heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style. The post Episode 31: Ziegfeld Follies (Part 2) appeared first on A Reel Education: The Musical!.