Ziegfeld Follies of the Air

The Ziegfeld Follies, created by Florenz Ziegfeld, were one of the most well-known of the Broadway revues, appearing on Broadway from 1907 to 1931. One of the most well-known features of the Follies were the famous and beautiful Ziegfeld Girls.

In 1932, the Follies came to radio as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air. The radio show featured many of the same performers who appeared in the Broadway shows like Fanny Brice, Billie Burke, Jack Pearl, Helen Morgan, and Will Rogers plus the man himself, Florenz Ziegfeld.

Much like the live revue, the radio show featured music, singers, sketches and comedy bits. Eddie Dowling hosted the show with Al Goodman leading the orchestra. The half-hour series had several sponsors beginning with Chrysler Motors and aired from April to June 1932.

Mr. Ziegfeld died July 22, 1932. In 1936, the series came back as a tribute to the great Mr. Ziegfeld. The second series ran from February 22 to June 6, 1936.

For more great variety programming, see also: Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope. For additional rare 1930s recordings, see also: Rarities of the 1930s.