Michael (raig presents the first of a 26-part series on the outstanding producers of entertainment in the USA this century.
This week: Ziegfeld (part 1)
The name that personifies an era, and has become a point of reference for every producer and impresario who ever pulled the rug from under his backers.
LARRY ADLER : ' He had a great eye for talent and he knew when a man was a good comedian, but he never got the jokes.'
BROOKS Atkinson : 'In a hotel he would send telegrams to people on the floor beneath him.'
RANDOLPH CARTER : 'He had a great deal of trouble with his composers because he frequently refused to pay them proper royalties.'
ARTHUR SCHWARTZ : ' An extravagant man, a wonderful producer of shows who didn't know how to restrain himself ... he died broke.'
KEENAN WYNN : ' There's a story that Ziegfeld was having an affair with a girl in the show, and at this dress rehearsal in the theatre she yelled " Ziggy, I can't wear this dress - it's impossible, it's a ridiculous costume, Ziggy." And he said, "Mr Ziegfeld in the theatre, dear, Ziggy in' bed ".' Research BILL SULLIVAN
Written by BENNY GREEN
Producer
DAVID RAYVERN ALLEN