Florenz Ziegfeld posing with the Follies Girls at a rehearsal in 1931.

 The Albertina Rasch Dancers in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931

In 1931 Ruth Etting appeared in the very last Follies, which opened at the Ziegfeld Theater on July 1, 1931, and ran through November 21 before heading out on tour, for a total of 164 performances on Broadway.

Ruth Etting revived a song Nora Bayes made famous in The Follies of 1918, Shine On, Harvest Moon. It became one of her biggest hits, and is so closely associated with Ruth Etting, that her recording is considered the definitive version of this standard.

In fact, she ended up recording the song again for the film, California Weather in 1933.

She also sang another standard, You Made Me Love You and while dressed as a Cigarette Girl, sang Cigarettes, Cigars

Ziegfeld Follies, 1931

Ziegfeld Follies, 1931
Ziegfeld Theater, 6th Avenue at 54th Street, New York, NY.
Opened July 1, 1931, ran for 164 performances
*

Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.
Directed by Edward C. Lilley
Musical Director: Oscar Bradley
Music orchestrated by Maurice De Packh, Will Vodery, Howard Jackson and Joe Jordan
Staged by Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. and Gene Buck
Dialogue staged by Edward Clarke Lilley
Dances staged by Bobby Connolly and Albertina Rasch
Scenic Design by Joseph Urban
Costume Design by John Harkrider

Cast:
A. Samish
Albert Carroll
Albertina Rasch Dancers
Alice Burrage
Anne Lee Patterson
Arthur Campbell
Barbara Smith
Bernice Roberts
Betty Dumbris
Betty Real
Billie Cortez
Billie Seward
Billy Hughes
Blanche Satchel
Blanche Satchell
Boots Mallory
Buck & Bubbles
Caja Eric
Cassie Hanley
Catherine Clark
Christine Maple
Clayton Estes
Cliff Hall
Conrad Sparin
David Drollet
Dennis McCurtin
Dorissa Nelova
Dorothy Dell
Dorothy Dodge
Dorothy Flood
Earl Oxford
Eileen Wenzel
Emmita Casanova
Ernest McChesney
Ethel Borden
Eunice Holmes
Faith Bacon
Frank Britton
Frank Lang
Frank McCormack
Frieda Mierse
Gene Gory
George Lamar
Georgia Ellis
Gladys Glad
Gordon Carper
Grace Moore
Hal Le Roy
Harry Richman
Helen Carson
Helen Hannan
Helen Morgan
Helen Walsh
Herschel Martin
Iris Adrian
Jack Arthur
Jack Bruns
Jack Pearl
Jean Audree
Jean Howard
Jim Moore
Joan Burgess
John Daly Murphy
John Gurney
John W. Bubbles
Joseph Toner
Katherine Burke
Kay English
Lena Thomas
Leonard Stokes
Lorelle McCarver
Marguerite Durand
Marguerite Eisele
Marie Stevens
Marjorie Levoe
Marjorie McLaughlin
Mary Alice Rice
Mildred Borst
Milt Britton
Milton Le Roy
Mitzi Mayfair
Netta Deuschateau
Olive McLay
Pat O’Day
Paul Gursdorff
Pearl Harris
Robert Baldwin
Robert Walker
Robert White
Rosa Fromson
Rose Gale
Russell Johns
Ruth Etting
Ruth Patterson
Sunny Trowbridge
The Collette Sisters
Thomas Arace
Tito
Tom Kendall
Vera Milton
Virginia Bethel
Virginia Biddle
Vivian Porter
William Royal
Yvonne Grey

http://ruthetting.com/ziegfeld-follies-1931/

Ziegfeld Folies

You'll find them all at the Ziegfeld Follies."

 Cyd Charisse in the 1945 Hollywood musical ~ Ziegfeld Follies
Bonjour chéris! I just finished watching that amazing movie Ziegfeld Follies. I am still trying to catch my breath! The costumes, the dance routines, the stars...Oh my!

Dolores Costello ~ Ziegfeld Girl
 The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical

on Broadway in from 1907 through 1931.

Ziegfeld Girl

 

The Follies were extremely lavish revues that included many of the days most popular performers. The Follies may have been most known for the beautiful girls that graced the stage.

 

 Lilyan Tashman ~ Ziegfeld Girl
These girls were known for always being decked out in the most elaborate and beautiful costumes. The costumes were often made by designers such as Erté, Lady Duff Gordon, and Ben Ali Haggi. The next morning the talk of New York would always be the ensembles.

The glorious Louise Brooks

~ She was a featured dancer for the Follies in 1925

 

I love that the movie includes some actual numbers from the

original Follies shows on Broadway and showcases so many

of Hollywood's brightest stars of the time.

It is such an over the top spectacle that it just makes you feel like dancing!

 

 

Stay tuned for an incredible giveaway in the next few weeks and

a post about my first trip to an auction & the goodies I brought home. I can't wait!

 

 

 

 

Ziegfeld Follies Girls (1907 - 1931)