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Show Boat

Play trailer Poster for Show Boat Released May 17, 1936 1h 53m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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 [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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d A few good songs, nothing else. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Show Boat

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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) 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