This movie has great color photography. And that's about all it has, frankly, compared to the 1936 bw version with Irene Dunne and Allen Jones.
Irene Dunne could act circles around Kathryn Grayson. (So could your grandmother, I suspect.) She also had a much better singing voice. Grayson is like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard.
Howard Keel was very handsome and a decent actor. But he was very masculine, which made him a poor choice for the weak Gaylord Ravenal. Allen Jones was very good at playing weak.
William Warfield sings "Old Man River" beautifully. But who can hold a candle to Paul Robeson?
As others have remarked, this version of *Showboat* is prettified. It takes out all the social commentary that was very much a part of the original show. I honestly don't see any reason to recommend this movie. If you want to listen to the music, which is great, go on YouTube and find a recording. But why sit through this maudlin excuse of a movie?
Irene Dunne could act circles around Kathryn Grayson. (So could your grandmother, I suspect.) She also had a much better singing voice. Grayson is like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard.
Howard Keel was very handsome and a decent actor. But he was very masculine, which made him a poor choice for the weak Gaylord Ravenal. Allen Jones was very good at playing weak.
William Warfield sings "Old Man River" beautifully. But who can hold a candle to Paul Robeson?
As others have remarked, this version of *Showboat* is prettified. It takes out all the social commentary that was very much a part of the original show. I honestly don't see any reason to recommend this movie. If you want to listen to the music, which is great, go on YouTube and find a recording. But why sit through this maudlin excuse of a movie?