The Great Ziegfeld 1936

Frank S. Nugent, New York Times: If the picture overcrowds its screen, at least we must admit it is an impressive kaleidoscope; and probably nothing short of that could reflect the gaudy career of America's foremost showman. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: It's amazingly dull, even with William Powell in the lead and guest appearances by the likes of Ray Bolger and Fanny Brice, so of course it won the Best Picture Oscar for 1936. Read more

Kate Cameron, New York Daily News: The producers are to be congratulated on every phase of the beautiful production except their lack of courage cutting the film. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Although some of the production's technical aspects remain impressive, the dramatic elements come across as trite and many of the musical numbers are dated. Read more

TIME Magazine: Pretentious, packed with hokum and as richly sentimental as an Irving Berlin lyric, it is, as such, top-notch entertainment. Read more

Abel Green, Variety: Considering the recent screen standards in book musicals with five numbers for 100 to 110 minutes of running time this Metro Santaclausing of numbers becomes virtually a double-feature filmusical. Read more