Show Boat

US (1951): Drama/Musica/Romance

MGM's Freed musical unit went all out to render America's most venerable musical in vivid Technicolor, spending more than $2.3 million overall and over $100,000 alone on the 171-foot paddle-wheeler, the Cotton Blossom. A reluctant Ava Gardner earned raves for her performance as Julie, the half-black star of the showboat's troupe, though her voice was dubbed in the movie by Annette Warren. (Gardner herself sang her two songs on the MGM soundtrack album.) Not as historically interesting as the 1936 version, but all the standards -- "Bill," "Can't Help Loving That Man," and "Ol' Man River" -- get a rousing treatment and the production values shine. (amctv.com)

George Sidney directs a cast that also includes Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Joe E. Brown, Marge & Gower Champion, Robert Sterling, Agnes Moorehead, Leif Erickson and William Warfield. Sidney was forced to leave for a few days because of illness, so uncredited associate producer Roger Edens directed the beautifully shot, fog-enshrouded "departure" sequence, including the performance by Warfield of "Ol' Man River." It is the one scene in the film that has been praised even by critics who detest this version of Show Boat.

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Show Boat on TCM.com.

2 nominations