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Show Boat
 
 
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Show Boat

Irene Dunne (Actor), Allan Jones (Actor), James Whale (Director) | Rated: Unrated | Format: VHS Tape
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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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

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars What an Awesome Movie Needs to be on DVD though, Jan 27 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Show Boat (VHS Tape)
Man this is an awesome movie and i dont see why it hasnt come out on DVD yet. This is the best cast for this movie, the 1936 version is the best one out there. there is only one thing to make it better get it out on DVD. James Whale as the director of America's first true musical makes him such an awesome director, you dont even have to talk about Frankenstein, this is his greatest film. With the best song ever written Ol' Man River sung by Paul Robeson the only Joe ever. Get this Whale's Favorite of his movies out on DVD soon
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5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must" for DVD, Jan 17 2012
By 
This review is from: Show Boat (VHS Tape)
I cannot understand why this superb film has never been released on DVD. "Showboat" is a classic musical. In fact, it is often said to be the first truly American musical with a coherent story line, and one that spans a significant era of US history. It has a dream cast with Paul Robeson, Helen Morgan, Irene Dunne, Allan Jones and Hattie McDaniel. This film version is as close to the original Ziegfeld Broadway production as you could hope to get. Directed by the great James Whale the film also features a screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II who as lyricist had collaborated with Jerome Kern on the original stage production. "Showboat" had received an earlier silent film treatment, and was remade later in a 1951 MGM technicolour version. The latter has its merits, but gutted major sections of the original musical's storyline. A new release of this masterpiece using the latest technilogical advances is long overdue.
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5.0 out of 5 stars To Curtis Crawford, April 25 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Show Boat (VHS Tape)
Picky, picky, picky. Did you remember that this was one of the first musicals made into a movie and that it was made way back in 1936? That's close to seventy years ago. I would hope they have learned a little since then. I saw the movie then and I have never forgotten it or the wonderful music. I thought Alan Jones had a wonderful voice, as did all the others. This movie is one of my fondest memories.
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