Show Boat 1951

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Show Boat ★★½ 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 171foot “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. ♫Make Be lieve; Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man; I Might Fall Back On You; Ol' Man River; You Are Love; Why Do I Love You?; Bill; Life Upon the Wicked Stage; After the Ball. 115m/C VHS, DVD . Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, William Warfield, Joe E. Brown, Agnes Moorehead, Gower Champion; D: George Sidney; W: George Wells, Jack McGowan; C: Charles Rosher; M: Oscar Hammerstein.