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Show Boat

Play trailer Poster for Show Boat 1936 1h 53m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Based on Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit, this musical spans four decades in the lives of performers on a Mississippi river boat. Sheltered beauty Magnolia Hawks (Irene Dunne) takes over as the show's leading lady when mulatto Julie (Helen Morgan) and her white husband are forced out of town by a narrow-minded sheriff. Charismatic opportunist Gaylord Ravenal (Allan Jones) wins Magnolia's heart, but his gambling losses threaten to ruin their chances for a happy marriage.

Critics Reviews

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Keith Phipps The Dissolve 03/10/2014
4/5
[The director] recognizes he's making a film, not just a record of a stage production. The strong source material doesn't hurt [...] and neither do the [...] performances of actors who know their characters inside and out. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 04/24/2025
7/10
The most enduring components aren’t the songs, but the realized themes of shattered reputations, separated families (and abandonment), generous sacrifices, and heartfelt reunions – which culminate in a teary-eyed New Year’s performance. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 07/05/2022
It’s a superb film version of one of the classic American musicals. Go to Full Review Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia 09/14/2020
Whale's film fares much better in its drama than it does its musical numbers. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 04/26/2020
3/4
The high point, now and forever, is Paul Robeson singing his immortal rendition of "Ol' Man River." Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 07/23/2019
Thanks to Director James Whale, all these talented people move quite naturally within the story, and don't give you the feeling that they are merely specialty performers waiting to jump into their acts. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d @RT35616104 01/09/2023 A few good songs, nothing else. See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 02/04/2020 Show Boat is an amazing film. It is about the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight. Irene Dunne and Allan Jones give incredible performances. The screenplay is well written. James Whale did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the humor and drama. See more 06/24/2019 Certainly, the superior version of this classic musical. However, Irene Dunne in blackface is not an appealing sight. See more 01/29/2019 Best version of Showboat, hands-down. See more Thomas M @TMProofreader 01/26/2019 The best musical romance movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Ol' Man River! See more s r @ScottR 06/05/2016 A good musical for the time. See more Read all reviews
Show Boat

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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James Whale

Director

Irene Dunne

Magnolia Hawks

Allan Jones

Gaylord Ravenal

Charles Winninger

Cap'n Andy Hawks

Helen Westley

Parthy Hawks

Paul Robeson

Joe

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Show Boat

Show Boat (1936) Show Boat (1936) Show Boat (1936) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Based on Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit, this musical spans four decades in the lives of performers on a Mississippi river boat. Sheltered beauty Magnolia Hawks (Irene Dunne) takes over as the show's leading lady when mulatto Julie (Helen Morgan) and her white husband are forced out of town by a narrow-minded sheriff. Charismatic opportunist Gaylord Ravenal (Allan Jones) wins Magnolia's heart, but his gambling losses threaten to ruin their chances for a happy marriage.
Director
James Whale
Producer
Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter
Edna Ferber, Oscar Hammerstein II
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 17, 1936, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 29, 2014
Runtime
1h 53m