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Show Boat

  • 1951
  • Approved
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
Ava Gardner, Kathryn Grayson, and Howard Keel in Show Boat (1951)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer4:02
1 Video
40 Photos
DramaFamilyMusicalRomance

The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairy tale romance is threatened after his luck turns sour.The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairy tale romance is threatened after his luck turns sour.The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairy tale romance is threatened after his luck turns sour.

  • Director
    • George Sidney
  • Writers
    • John Lee Mahin
    • Jerome Kern
    • Oscar Hammerstein II
  • Stars
    • Kathryn Grayson
    • Ava Gardner
    • Howard Keel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    5.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Sidney
    • Writers
      • John Lee Mahin
      • Jerome Kern
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
    • Stars
      • Kathryn Grayson
      • Ava Gardner
      • Howard Keel
    • 73User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 4:02
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    Photos40

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    Top cast87

    Edit
    Kathryn Grayson
    Kathryn Grayson
    • Magnolia Hawks
    Ava Gardner
    Ava Gardner
    • Julie LaVerne
    Howard Keel
    Howard Keel
    • Gaylord Ravenal
    Joe E. Brown
    Joe E. Brown
    • Cap'n Andy Hawks
    Marge Champion
    Marge Champion
    • Ellie May Shipley
    Gower Champion
    Gower Champion
    • Frank Schultz
    Robert Sterling
    Robert Sterling
    • Steven Baker
    Agnes Moorehead
    Agnes Moorehead
    • Parthy Hawks
    Leif Erickson
    Leif Erickson
    • Pete
    • (as Lief Erickson)
    William Warfield
    William Warfield
    • Joe
    Boyd Ackerman
    • Chorus Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Bette Arlen
    • Chorus Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Bezemes
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Chet Brandenburg
    Chet Brandenburg
    • Man at New Years Celebration
    • (uncredited)
    Carol Brewster
    • Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Camlin
    • Croupier
    • (uncredited)
    Sue Casey
    • New Year's Eve Cutie
    • (uncredited)
    Chick Chandler
    Chick Chandler
    • Trocadero Stage Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Sidney
    • Writers
      • John Lee Mahin
      • Jerome Kern
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director George Sidney had to leave for a few days because of illness, so uncredited associate producer Roger Edens directed the fog-enshrouded "departure" sequence, including William Warfield's performance of "Ol' Man River." That scene has been praised even by critics who hate this version of "Show Boat."
    • Goofs
      In the opening scenes with the calliope player, the keyboard is a contemporary 1950's black console, whereas a period console would have been made of wood, and perhaps elaborately carved and detailed.
    • Quotes

      Cap'n Andy Hawks: It's Saturday night again!

      [He slaps Parthy affectionately on her rear end]

      Parthy: Oh! It's Wednesday night and don't you strike me!

      Cap'n Andy Hawks: It's Saturday night forever!

      Parthy: Yes, and Fourth of July... and Christmas... and

      [imitating Cap'n Andy when he celebrates New Year's Eve]

      Parthy: Hap - - -py New Year!

    • Crazy credits
      Because some of the lyrics to the song "Cotton Blossom" have been altered by uncredited staff writers in this version of "Show Boat", Oscar Hammerstein II is never actually mentioned as having written the lyrics to the songs, although P.G. Wodehouse IS listed as having written the lyrics to "Bill". (This is only partially correct; only about half of Wodehouse's 1917 lyric to "Bill" was used. The rest of the lyric is by Hammerstein.)
    • Alternate versions
      Early preview showings of this film featured Ava Gardner's own singing voice, before the film was officially released with Ava overdubbed by Annette Warren.
    • Connections
      Edited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Cotton Blossom
      (1927) (uncredited)
      Music by Jerome Kern
      Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
      Played during the opening credits and sung in first scene
      Sung by Cotton Blossom chorus

    User reviews73

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    Forget the story, enjoy the singing...

    Don't worry about comparisons with the original, supposedly weak story line, etc, etc - just suspend belief and enjoy it as a musical.

    The key vocalists are absolutely first rate: Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson and William Warfield were at the tops of their games here. The superb, effortless vocals from Keel and Grayson are lessons on how to sing - you'll never hear 'Make Believe' sung better than this.

    William Warfield's version of 'Old Man River' is just magic. People usually talk about Paul Robson in the same breath as 'Old Man River' but none of Robson's renditions can match this performance. Warfield is a true bass (Robson was a bass-baritone) and delivers this song with magnificent power and resonance. Warfield is The Man.

    Sit back and enjoy the music...
    • neilmac
    • Jan 25, 2007
    • Permalink

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Show Boat?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the biggest difference between the original show and this film version of "Show Boat"?
    • What was so controversial about the opening number in the original stage version?
    • Is "Cotton Blossom", the opening chorus, sung the same way in this film as in the show?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 24, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Magnolia
    • Filming locations
      • Dunleith Plantation, Natchez, Mississippi, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,295,429 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $236
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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