Show Boat Movie Review 1951

Third movie version of the 1927 musical about the life and loves of a Mississippi riverboat theatre troupe. Terrific musical numbers, with fun dance routines from Champion, who went on to great fame as a choreographer. Grayson is somewhat vapid, but lovely to look at and hear. Gardner didn't want to do the part of Julie, although she eventually received fabulous reviews--her singing was dubbed by Annette Warren. The 171-foot "Cotton Blossom" boat was built on the Tarzan lake on the MGM back lot at an astounding cost of $126,468. Warfield's film debut--his "Ole Man River"--was recorded in one take. excerpts from "Broadway," "Silent Film," and radio Version of "Show Boat," a documentary featuring life on a real show boat, and a commentary on the performers, the film, and the history of show boats.

Distribution

Criterion Collection, 210 E. 52nd St., 578 Broadway, New York, NY 10022, Phone: (212)212756-8822, Toll-free: 800-446-2001, URL: http://www.criterionco.com, Remarks: Does not sell directly to consumers

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 115 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Musical Drama, Adapted from a Musical, MGM Musicals, Obsessive Love, Books to Film: Edna Ferber, Top Grossing Films of 1951, Period Piece: 19th Century

Screenplay

George Wells, Jack McGowan

Cast

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, William Warfield, Joe E. Brown, Agnes Moorehead, Gower Champion

Cinematography

Charles Rosher

Director

George Sidney

Music

Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein

Producer

MGM