Show Boat

Show Boat (1936)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (8 reviews)

  • 71% of users liked it
    (922 ratings)

This second film version of the Edna Ferber/Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat is considered by many film buffs to be the best of the three. Covering nearly four decades (was there ever an Edna Ferber novel that didn't?), the film stars Irene Dunne as Magnolia Hawks, a role… More

Unrated,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
In Theaters
May 14, 1936 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Phil Hall, IdentityTheory

    Represents the apex of Hollywood musical productions.

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    The great booming voice of Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" throughout is as good a number as was ever done in a musical.

  • Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

    Best version is this truly classic version; superior musical on all counts

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Hands down the best version of the stage show. Brilliantly conceived and executed by James Whale.

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • jay n


    Somewhat more faithful to the book and it does record Helen Morgan's legendary stage performance but the later Ava Gardner version is still the superior film and the one to watch.

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Cast

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