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Show Boat

  • 1936
  • Approved
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, and Charles Winninger in Show Boat (1936)
Classic MusicalComedyDramaMusicalRomance

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.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.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.

  • Director
    • James Whale
  • Writers
    • Edna Ferber
    • Oscar Hammerstein II
    • Zoe Akins
  • Stars
    • Irene Dunne
    • Allan Jones
    • Charles Winninger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Whale
    • Writers
      • Edna Ferber
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
      • Zoe Akins
    • Stars
      • Irene Dunne
      • Allan Jones
      • Charles Winninger
    • 77User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos73

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    + 68
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    Top cast98

    Edit
    Irene Dunne
    Irene Dunne
    • Magnolia
    Allan Jones
    Allan Jones
    • Gaylord Ravenal
    Charles Winninger
    Charles Winninger
    • Cap'n Andy Hawks
    Paul Robeson
    Paul Robeson
    • Joe
    Helen Morgan
    Helen Morgan
    • Julie
    Helen Westley
    Helen Westley
    • Parthy Ann Hawks
    Queenie Smith
    Queenie Smith
    • Elly May Chipley
    Sammy White
    • Frank Schultz
    Donald Cook
    Donald Cook
    • Steve Baker
    Hattie McDaniel
    Hattie McDaniel
    • Queenie
    Francis X. Mahoney
    • Rubber Face
    Marilyn Knowlden
    Marilyn Knowlden
    • Kim (as a Child)
    Sunnie O'Dea
    Sunnie O'Dea
    • Kim (at Sixteen)
    Arthur Hohl
    Arthur Hohl
    • Pete
    Charles Middleton
    Charles Middleton
    • Vallon
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    • Windy
    Clarence Muse
    Clarence Muse
    • Janitor
    Maude Allen
    • Fat Woman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James Whale
    • Writers
      • Edna Ferber
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
      • Zoe Akins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Special permission had to be granted from the Hays Office in order to retain the famous miscegenation (interracial marriage) sequence in the movie. Miscegenation was banned as a film subject, and had been excluded from Show Boat (1929).
    • Goofs
      When Joe begins to sing "Ol' Man River", he picks up a board and begins to whittle it. He slices off two pieces, and then the camera switches to an oblique shot, but now the board is whittled to a slender rod.
    • Quotes

      Joe: I just shell them peas.

      Queenie: You ain't pickin' them up.

      Joe: No, but I could've if you didn't. I could do a lotta things if it was necessary.

      Queenie: Then why don't you?

      Joe: It ain't necessary.

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits, there is a cardboard cutout display of a show boat parade, with cutout paper townspeople watching it, on a moving turntable. The parade revolves past the camera carrying cardboard banners on which are printed the title and other credits. Most of the parade figures are simply figures, but among them cutouts of Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan can be seen. (The appearance of these figures does not coincide with the appearance of their names onscreen.) In the background shadows of a paddlewheel and a riverboat can be seen.
    • Connections
      Featured in The All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing Show (1973)
    • Soundtracks
      Cotton Blossom
      (1927) (uncredited)

      Music by Jerome Kern

      Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

      Sung by offscreen mixed chorus (during opening credits) and in opening scene by mixed chorus of dock workers

    User reviews77

    Featured review

    Sixty-six years and the charm is still there.

    Superb casting, wonderful music, and simple but literate dialogue. Paul Robeson's rendition of Old Man River is captivating, and this film is the only time I've heard the second stanza of the song which I'm sure many people would feel is not politically correct for our day. This really is an elegant production.
    • panacheplus
    • Apr 5, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Show Boat?Powered by Alexa
    • This version of "Show Boat" is supposed to be extremely faithful to the stage musical. What changes have been made?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 17, 1936 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Edna Ferber's Show Boat
    • Filming locations
      • Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, and Charles Winninger in Show Boat (1936)
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