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Show Boat

  • 1936
  • Approved
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, and Charles Winninger in Show Boat (1936)
Classic MusicalComedyDramaMusicalRomance

Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.

  • Director
    • James Whale
  • Writers
    • Edna Ferber
    • Oscar Hammerstein II
    • Zoe Akins
  • Stars
    • Irene Dunne
    • Allan Jones
    • Charles Winninger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    4.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Whale
    • Writers
      • Edna Ferber
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
      • Zoe Akins
    • Stars
      • Irene Dunne
      • Allan Jones
      • Charles Winninger
    • 80User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos77

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    Top Cast99

    Irene Dunne
    Irene Dunne
    • Magnolia
    Allan Jones
    Allan Jones
    • Gaylord Ravenal
    Charles Winninger
    Charles Winninger
    • Cap'n Andy Hawks
    Paul Robeson
    Paul Robeson
    • Joe
    Helen Morgan
    Helen Morgan
    • Julie
    Helen Westley
    Helen Westley
    • Parthy Ann Hawks
    Queenie Smith
    Queenie Smith
    • Elly May Chipley
    Sammy White
    • Frank Schultz
    Donald Cook
    Donald Cook
    • Steve Baker
    Hattie McDaniel
    Hattie McDaniel
    • Queenie
    Francis X. Mahoney
    • Rubber Face
    Marilyn Knowlden
    Marilyn Knowlden
    • Kim (as a Child)
    Sunnie O'Dea
    Sunnie O'Dea
    • Kim (at Sixteen)
    Arthur Hohl
    Arthur Hohl
    • Pete
    Charles Middleton
    Charles Middleton
    • Vallon
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    • Windy
    Clarence Muse
    Clarence Muse
    • Janitor
    Maude Allen
    • Fat Woman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James Whale
    • Writers
      • Edna Ferber
      • Oscar Hammerstein II
      • Zoe Akins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews80

    7.44.1K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Show Boat' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

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    Drama
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    Romance

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      Special permission had to be granted from the Hays Office in order to retain the famous miscegenation (interracial marriage) sequence in the movie. Miscegenation was banned as a film subject, and had been excluded from Show Boat (1929).
    • Goofs
      When Joe begins to sing "Ol' Man River", he picks up a board and begins to whittle it. He slices off two pieces, and then the camera switches to an oblique shot, but now the board is whittled to a slender rod.
    • Quotes
      • Joe: I just shell them peas.
      • Queenie: You ain't pickin' them up.
      • Joe: No, but I could've if you didn't. I could do a lotta things if it was necessary.
      • Queenie: Then why don't you?
      • Joe: It ain't necessary.
    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits, there is a cardboard cutout display of a show boat parade, with cutout paper townspeople watching it, on a moving turntable. The parade revolves past the camera carrying cardboard banners on which are printed the title and other credits. Most of the parade figures are simply figures, but among them cutouts of Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan can be seen. (The appearance of these figures does not coincide with the appearance of their names onscreen.) In the background shadows of a paddlewheel and a riverboat can be seen.
    • Connections
      Featured in The All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing Show (1973)
    • Soundtracks
      Cotton Blossom
      (1927) (uncredited)
      Music by Jerome Kern
      Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
      Sung by offscreen mixed chorus (during opening credits) and in opening scene by mixed chorus of dock workers

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    FAQ1

    • This version of "Show Boat" is supposed to be extremely faithful to the stage musical. What changes have been made?

    Details

    • Release date
      • May 17, 1936 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Edna Ferber's Show Boat
    • Filming locations
      • Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 53m(113 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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