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Movies / On DVD / Show Boat
Show Boat

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Show Boat (1936)

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Reviews Counted:7

Fresh:7

Rotten:0

Average Rating:9.3/10

Runtime: 6 hrs

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: With SHOW BOAT, horror maven James Whale (FRANKENSTEIN, THE INVISIBLE MAN) returns to the stage-adaptation genre of his first film (JOURNEY'S END). The second film version of the 1926 Edna Ferber... With SHOW BOAT, horror maven James Whale (FRANKENSTEIN, THE INVISIBLE MAN) returns to the stage-adaptation genre of his first film (JOURNEY'S END). The second film version of the 1926 Edna Ferber novel and 1927 Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein musical takes place in the early 1900s on Cap'n Andy Hawks's (Charles Winninger) Mississippi River show boat. Life is good for the family-like show boat troupe that includes married lead actors Julie (Helen Morgan) and Steve (Donald Cook) and servants Queenie (Hattie McDaniel) and Joe (Paul Robeson). However, when a disgruntled boatman reveals that Julie is of mixed race, she and her husband are fired. Julie's best friend, the captain's daughter, Magnolia (Irene Dunne), is devastated but is given the opportunity she has been begging for--to act on the stage. Magnolia's sadness is relieved by the arrival of dashing gambler Gaylord Ravenal (Allan Jones), who is cast as her leading man. The two fall in love and leave the show boat filled with dreams--but life has other plans for them. A fascinating tale about show business, friendship and love, and the inequities of race, SHOW BOAT is an indisputable classic filled with unforgettable songs. [More]

Starring: Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, Paul Robeson

Starring: Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, Paul Robeson, Charles Winninger, Hattie McDaniel, Sammy White, Arthur Hohl, Charles Middleton, Francis X. Mahoney, Sunnie O'Dea, Marilyn Knowlden

Director: James Whale

Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Composer: Jerome Kern

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 17, 1990

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Show Boat

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1 - 12 (sorted by date)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Variety
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
N/R

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Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
03/25/06
Frank S. Nugent
Frank S. Nugent
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The great booming voice of Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" throughout is as good a number as was ever done in a musical.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/01/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
07/17/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Best version is this truly classic version; superior musical on all counts

comment Comment
10/23/04
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan

No review available.

comment Comment
10/31/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

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Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Hands down the best version of the stage show. Brilliantly conceived and executed by James Whale.

comment Comment
05/12/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
12/18/02
Tony Toscano
Tony Toscano
Talking Pictures (U.S.)
N/R

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Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
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