Show Boat (1936)

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Showboat, based on Edna Ferber's 1926 novel, is a seminal American musical, the first to explore serious themes (most notably racism) and to truly integrate song with story and character. The plot follows three generations of a theatrical Mississippi riverboat family from the 1880s to the 1920s. The 1936 film version, directed by Englishman James Whale (Frankenstein), is probably the one that best captures the spirit its creators intended. First and foremost, it features Paul Robeson as Joe. His indelible rendition of "Ol' Man River," delivered strong, straight, and without bathos, is a stunningly powerful anthem about the plight of African Americans in the United States. (The song is set against a fascinating expressionist montage in 1930s social realist style.) Other standout performances include torch singer Helen Morgan as Julie, the actress banished from the showboat for her "mixed race" ancestry. Her "Bill" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" are simply sublime. Hattie McDaniel (Gone With the Wind) is her usual outrageous self. Irene Dunne (The Awful Truth) is spunky and delightful as Magnolia Ravenal. Her most endearing moment occurs early in the film when she leads the company in a funky cakewalk, swinging her hips with joyful abandon. (She also does a number in blackface!) When Dunne and the narrative leave the riverboat for the big bad city, fame, and heartbreak, the movie loses much of its snap and substance and descends into rather conventional melodrama. Still, this film represents an essential moment in the American musical theater, one not to be missed. --Laura Mirsky Amazon.com

1936 showboat

I have purchased two (one 'new', the other 'like new') video copies of the 1936 Showboat and returned both because of their less than sterling quality. I love musicals and the 1936 Showboat is my favorite one. Its absolutely incredible that this classic, which so many movie goers think is the best musical on film, hasn't been put in DVD format yet. Why aren't the champions of movies (Scorcese, are you listening?) pushing hard to get this film on DVD? Come on Hollywood, get this film on DVD for all musical movie lovers to enjoy. David in Pacific Grove December 1, 2008

Where is it?

This is an out-and-out classic that should be permanently available on DVD. So where is it? Surely, MGM must know the value of their product, and this one is worth its weight in gold-dust - the entire cast is superb (other reviewers have named them all, so I wont repeat them), it's in beautiful black-and-white, it gives a much fuller version of the score than the lame 50's remake, and it's much better sung, plus it's got period charm by the bucketful. Yet every time I do a search, all I can come up with is Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson. Please!!!!! November 18, 2008

Why oh WHY Is This Movie not Available on DVD???

Like most people who have posted reviews of this film, I also state most emphatically that it is the best version of the seminal Kern/Hammerstein 1927 musical. Not only does it boast some of the wonderful original Broadway cast, it is more faithful to Ferber's novel than the 1951 version. For those who balked at the film's "happy ending," that was also the way the original stage play was written. In the novel, Nolie finds out second hand that Gaylord has died after being shot in a gambling dispute. Also, Captain Andy dies by falling off the boat and drowning the night Kim is born. With all the other tragedies in the play, can we blame Hammerstein for lightening up the plot somewhat???

All that aside, Irene Dunne is remarkably convincing and sings and acts beautifully as Magnolia (and can that girl shuffle, as Queenie -- the incomparable Hattie McDaniel [the first African-American ever to win an Oscar] -- remarks during "Can't Help Lovin' That Man"). Allan Jones is handsome and charming and more than vocally capable as the ne'er-do-well Gaylord. Helen Morgan tears at your heartstrings as she sings the torch song "Bill." And if anyone can offer a more definitive rendition of "Ol' Man River" than the immortal Paul Robeson, I'd like to hear it!!!

Get this film out on DVD ASAP!!!!! October 28, 2008

Stunning...

I just returned from viewing the Warner Brothers 35mm studio-print of the 1936 version, at the Heights Theater in Minneapolis. Although I'm a musical lover, I never considered the 1951 version any more than adequate... This, on the the other hand, left me breathless. Yes, the blackface (and a few other) scenes are painful, but, overall, this is one fantastic movie musical. I hope it becomes available on DVD, soon... June 27, 2008

How is this not on DVD?

This version of the musical is my favorite by far and the most true to the stage version. I don't understand how it is not on DVD yet when it is on the "AFI's 25 Best Musicals of All Time" list. Yes, the 1936 version NOT the 1951 version is on the list. Irene Dunne is a delight to watch in this film. She is about 37 at the time doing this film and she looks like she is more like 25. Her secret? She said getting enough hours of sleep.

Although I like the alto version of "Can't Help Lovin' that Man of Mine" in the 1951 version, I prefer the tempo of the 1936 version. The song is one of those songs that you learn when you were a kid and when you watch the movie you go "Is this where it's from!?" and you are shocked.

When Irene Dunne dances for "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" you can't help but smile. And when she sings in black face for "Galavantin' Around" it doesn't seem offensive at all. It seems more like she is just having fun. Dunne's character doesn't understand why there is such a problem with race. She befriends all races and accepts them as equals.

This movie needs to go on DVD soon! I love it and I don't have a VCR anymore. I do have it permanently saved on my DVR from TCM, but I will happily buy it the day it is released. May 31, 2008

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