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Show Boat

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Show Boat

Released May 17, 1936

1h 53m

Musical

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100%

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14 Reviews

73%

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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.

Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

[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.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 10, 2014

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 7/10

Apr 24, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s a superb film version of one of the classic American musicals.

Jul 5, 2022

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

Whale's film fares much better in its drama than it does its musical numbers.

Sep 14, 2020

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The high point, now and forever, is Paul Robeson singing his immortal rendition of "Ol' Man River."

Rated: 3/4

Apr 26, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

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.

Jul 23, 2019

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steve d

A few good songs, nothing else.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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ashley h

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Certainly, the superior version of this classic musical. However, Irene Dunne in blackface is not an appealing sight.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

Best version of Showboat, hands-down.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best musical romance movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Ol' Man River!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

s r

A good musical for the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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

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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