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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 Z4A5GXp0FRMPjtmNZwOsvg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001450955-10-000002.txt : 20100513
<SEC-HEADER>0001450955-10-000002.hdr.sgml : 20100513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100513125743
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001450955-10-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100511
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100513

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRADLEY WILLIAM PATRICK III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001450955

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
		FILM NUMBER:		10827439

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.
		STREET 2:		56 PROSPECT STREET
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06115

ISSUER:		

	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

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022-4728
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-272-2700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022-4728
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000836412</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ZTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001450955</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRADLEY WILLIAM PATRICK III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 PEARL STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARTFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Dickerson as Attorney-In-Fact for William Patrick Bradley III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----