Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale

Name: Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2021-09-22
Rating: 71

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Released Sep 15, 2022

1h 19m

Documentary

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2 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

For over 85 years, steamship Ste. Claire transported generations of Detroiters to Boblo Island, an amusement park nestled in the waters between the US and Canada. When the vessel comes under threat of ruin, a doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save their beloved steamship from the scrapyard. Interweaving local lore and mythology, "Boblo Boats" explores the whitewashed history of amusement parks and one crew's crusade to bring back the memories.

Alan Ng

Film Threat

Beautifully brings to life that small haven of Americana that’s been long gone and living only in the memories of those who were there.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 16, 2022

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Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Hammer to Nail

What’s not to love about a documentary that uses artful stop-motion animation to help tell its story? Throw in Motown legend Martha Reeves as narrator and you raise the cinematic stakes even more.

Aug 22, 2022

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jon m

This movie is a mess, an absolute disaster. I expected much more - there was very little archival footage and the story (what little there was of this seemingly endless boat wreck) centered around a bunch of ne'er do wells trying to work on something they neither had the funds or know-how to remotely do. Utterly disappointing

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

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kelly e

Deteriorated boat keeps deteriorating and burns. drama queen sold popcorn on the boat in high school. Arabic doctor buys boat for cheap and has health problems. Black people denied a seat 75 years ago. Did I miss anything? Sad - nothing much for old footage of the boat or the island. I wanted to be taken down memory lane. I was taken for $12 instead.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/22

Full Review

barb a

Absolutely terrific! The flow of the movie was the best. Even though I grew up on BobLo Island, anyone seeing the movie will understand what a great movie this is. Good to see this movie will be playing at more locations. Even Illinois and Wisconsin! The best!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

roberta m

An absolute must see. I will see it again. Loved the story about the Columbia and the Ste. Clair. They were my friends. If you you've ever gone to Bob-Lo, you'll want to see this. And narrated by Martha Reeves! I'm spreading the word!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Aaron Schillinger

Director

Martha Reeves

Narrator

Aaron Schillinger

Writer

Steve Bannatyne

Producer

Peter Monro

Producer

Jayil Pak

Producer

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Synopsis

Director: Aaron Schillinger
Producer: Steve Bannatyne, Peter Monro, Jayil Pak, Matthew Peach, Isabel Sandoval, Aaron Schillinger
Screenwriter: Aaron Schillinger
Distributor: Lucky Hat Entertainment
Production Co: Baby Volcano Films, Lucky Hat Entertainment
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 19m

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Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale

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