Show Boat
1951 · Movie · NR · 107 min · ★ 6.2 · 77% critics
On a Mississippi show boat, a charming gambler falls for the owner’s daughter just as the troupe faces upheaval. Their romance unfolds through big musical numbers, family disapproval, and glimpses of the racial prejudice surrounding life and entertainment on the river.
Based on Show Boat
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Details
- Years
- 1951
- Release date
- 1951-07-19
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (79 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like classic MGM-style musicals with sweeping romance, colorful staging, and famous songs, especially if South Pacific or Kiss Me Kate work for you; Not for you if you want a tighter, lighter-paced story.
Pros: memorable songs; vibrant color spectacle; charming central romance | Cons: uneven depth; some filler; softened social themes
Themes
- grandparent grandchild relationship
- musical
- based on play or musical
- interracial relationship
- riverboat
- reconciliation
- showboat
- miscegenation
- paddlewheel boat
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Color · 1952 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Musical Score · 1952 · nominated
Cast & crew
Kathryn Grayson
as Magnolia Hawks
Ava Gardner
as Julie LaVerne
Howard Keel
as Gaylord Ravenal
Joe E. Brown
as Cap'n Andy Hawks
Marge Champion
as Ellie May Shipley
Gower Champion
as Frank Schultz
Robert Sterling
as Steven Baker
Agnes Moorehead
as Parthy Hawks
Leif Erickson
as Pete
William Warfield
as Joe
Directed by George Sidney