Show Boat (1936)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

James Whale

Writers:

Edna Ferber (novel)
Oscar Hammerstein II (play) ...

Release Date:

14 May 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Here Comes the Grand and Glorious "Show Boat" (version of 1936)

Plot:

Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.

Plot Keywords:

Showboat | Racial Discrimination | Based On Musical | Reference To Napoleon | Riverboat

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Irene Dunne	...	Magnolia Hawks
Allan Jones	...	Gaylord Ravenal
Charles Winninger	...	Cap'n Andy Hawks
Paul Robeson	...	Joe
Helen Morgan	...	Julie LaVerne
Helen Westley	...	Parthenia "Parthy" Hawks
Queenie Smith	...	Ellie May Chipley
Sammy White	...	Frank Schultz
Donald Cook	...	Steve Baker
Hattie McDaniel	...	Queenie
Francis X. Mahoney	...	Rubber Face Smith
Marilyn Knowlden	...	Kim as a child
Sunnie O'Dea	...	Kim (at 16)
Arthur Hohl	...	Pete
Charles Middleton	...	Sheriff Ike Vallon

Also Known As:

Edna Ferber's Show Boat (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2043) | Finland:S | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The song "Why Do I Love You?", as sung by Irene Dunne and Allan Jones, and the chorus "Happy The Day" (from the Act I Finale) were filmed but deleted before release, because it was felt that the movie was too long. "Why Do I Love You?" was to be sung in the scene in which Magnolia and Ravenal are riding in an automobile with their baby daughter, Kim. The rest of the scene remains in the film.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: At the end of "Ol' Man River", Joe smiles while his and the male chorus's voices linger for about three seconds on the soundtrack.

Quotes:

[Parthy has just gone to bed, and Cap'n Andy is flirting with three chorus girls in a hotel lobby]
Chorus Girl: Pops, who was that?
Cap'n Andy Hawks: That was Parthenia, my wife.
Chorus Girl: Oh, my mistake!
Cap'n Andy Hawks: No... mine!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed! (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

Cotton Blossom

A Classic Musical brought Brilliantly To Life!

James Whale's outstanding 1936 film version of "Show Boat" is indeed a musical film that others must aspire to.His slick direction brings out not only the pathos of the piece,but the humor and dramatic chemistry as well.As with most screen adaptations of Broadway musicals there are some missing songs.Most sorely missed is Ravanal's stirring 'Till Good Luck Comes My Way" and Queenie's haunting "Misery's Comin Around",but even with these omissions its a great film.

Hammerstein's script is full of meaning and power.The cast is up for the chalanging subject matter. Original broadway cast members Charles Winninger as Capn Andy and Helen Morgan as Julie along with the London Joe,the legendary Paul Robeson, win best of film honors. Winninger's Andy is full of comedic humor well balanced with quiet tenderness.Morgan as Julie,although past her prime still commands the stage emotionally as the tragic Julie, and Robeson gives us a well layered performance as the easy going,but wise Joe. His "Old Man River" still sends chills down one's spine.

The rest of the cast is no less polished. Allan Jones and Irene Dunne as the central figures,Ravanal and Nola create a wondeful bond. their chemistry,both vocal and emotional is right on the mark.Hattie McDaniel is a delightful Queenie and shines in her partnership with Robeson (particularly in their duet,'Ah Still Suits Me").

The themes of Hammersteins' script still are valid today,Racisim,Spousal abandonment,Bigotry and Financial Hardship. This is what makes this film a classic.It still has something to say in today's so called "advanced" society.