Show Boat

"Universal's Motion Picture Triumph!"

Jul 28 1929 Passed 2h 27m
Drama, Musical, Romance

This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical based on the novel. There are only two major changes from Ferber's book : *Julie in this version is a white woman, not a racially mixed one; therefore she and her husband are not unlawfully married. * Ravenal returns at the end, instead of dying as in the novel

Plot

The film begins with Magnolia, daughter of Captain Andy Hawks and his domineering wife Parthy, enjoying her childhood aboard her father's show boat. Parthy, irritated over the supposed influence of leading lady Julie (Magnolia's idol and best friend) fires her, despite her husband's objections. Many years later, Magnolia is a young woman and becomes a leading lady. Her leading man is Gaylord Ravenal, a riverboat gambler with whom she falls in love and elopes. But the sudden and unexpected death of Captain Andy forces the couple to leave the boat and move to Chicago rather than endure the disapproving Parthy, and Ravenal's gambling luck soon runs out. Then, Parthy announces she's coming to visit.

Written by

Edna Ferber, Edward J. Montaigne, Harry A. Pollard

Directed by

Harry A. Pollard, Arch Heath

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

Languages

No Language

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
323
Average Rating
6.2 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA