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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-09-028845.txt : 20090213
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-09-028845.hdr.sgml : 20090213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090213132322
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-09-028845
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090213
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20090213

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836412
		IRS NUMBER:				133474242
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
		FILM NUMBER:		09601065

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 451-1100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ddefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Zweig Total Return Fund Inc</TITLE>
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 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:16px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SCHEDULE 14A </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(Rule 14A-101) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>(Amendment No. <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> ) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Filed by the Registrant <FONT
FACE="WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Filed by a Party other than the Registrant <FONT
FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box: </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Preliminary Proxy Statement </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only&nbsp;(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</B> </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Definitive Proxy Statement </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Definitive Additional Materials </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting Material Pursuant to &#167;240.14a-12 </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>THE ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its
Charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">No fee required. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined): </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(4)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(5)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Total fee paid: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Amount Previously Paid: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Filing Party: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(4)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date Filed: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5%"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE WIDTH="99%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="98%"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Press Release</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">Source: The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>For Further Information</U>:</B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Zweig Funds Shareholder Services </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(800) 272-2700 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Patricia Baronowski </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Altman Group </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">(212) 400-2604 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. Announces Shareholder Meeting and Shareholder Proxy </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">February 13, 2009: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">NEW YORK, February 13, 2009&#151;The
Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. (the &#147;Fund&#148;) announced today that, as required by its Articles of Incorporation, it will submit to a shareholder vote a proposal that the Fund convert from a closed-end fund to an open-end fund because its
shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange during the quarter ended December&nbsp;31, 2008 at an average discount from their net asset value of 10% or more, determined on the basis of the discount as of the end of the last trading day in each week
during such quarter. The conversion proposal, which would require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares to carry for approval, will be voted on at the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on May&nbsp;5, 2009.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Board of Directors, including its independent directors, has voted unanimously to recommend against conversion to an open-end fund.
The reason for the Board&#146;s view will be set forth in detail in the proxy statement to be furnished to shareholders in connection with the annual meeting. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. is a closed-end fund with an investment objective to seek the highest total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income, consistent with the preservation of capital.
The Zweig closed-end funds are advised by Zweig Advisers LLC. For more information on the Fund, please contact shareholder services at 800.272.2700 or visit us on the web at www.virtus.com. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">THE FUND WILL FILE A PROXY STATEMENT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE &#147;SEC&#148;) IN CONNECTION WITH ITS 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS, WHICH, WHEN FILED, WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE SEC&#146;S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE FUND&#146;S PROXY STATEMENT, WHEN AVAILABLE, AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS TO BE
FILED BY THE FUND RELATED TO THE PROXY SOLICITATION, WHEN AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. IN ADDITION, DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BY THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE BY CONTACTING SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AT
800.272.2700 AND ON THE WEB AT WWW.VIRTUS.COM. THE IDENTITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR INTERESTS WILL BE CONTAINED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. </FONT></P>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
