This lavishly produced MGM update of the old "Show Boat" further whitewashes the original, and sails across the screen in garish and silly fashion. The stars are dependable, pretty Kathryn Grayson (as Magnolia Hawks) and handsome Howard Keel (as Gaylord Ravenal) who take over as headliners when exotic Ava Gardner (as Julie LaVerne) is fired for "passing" as purely white. An effort to be inoffensive pervades. Producers missed an opportunity when they "passed" on casting a truly "mixed" race actress in the part. To add insult to injury, they dubbed Ms. Gardner's perfectly serviceable vocals...
Nothing really beats Paul Robeson's rendition of "Ol' Man River" from the 1936 version of this musical, but herein William Warfield (as Joe) comes close. This song retains the same power to cut through the screen and convey everything the rest of the story seems unable to address. Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, the classic "Ol' Man River" is a chilling show-stopper. There is also some technical skill to behold on the screen, especially the engaging dance team Marge and Gower Champion, who could have been the next Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers if circumstances were different...
***** Show Boat (7/17/51) George Sidney ~ Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, Gower Champion
Nothing really beats Paul Robeson's rendition of "Ol' Man River" from the 1936 version of this musical, but herein William Warfield (as Joe) comes close. This song retains the same power to cut through the screen and convey everything the rest of the story seems unable to address. Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, the classic "Ol' Man River" is a chilling show-stopper. There is also some technical skill to behold on the screen, especially the engaging dance team Marge and Gower Champion, who could have been the next Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers if circumstances were different...
***** Show Boat (7/17/51) George Sidney ~ Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, Gower Champion