This is a great splashy color musical in the MGM tradition. If that is what you are looking for then look no further. If you are looking for a story that more closely follows the dramatic line of Edna Ferber's novel you want to watch the 1936 version. Edna Ferber's heroines usually had some weakness or problem that they tried to solve by leaning upon a man. Ferber would remove the crutch (the man) from the heroine's life and, only once the woman had grown strong as a person, would she be reunited with the man upon which she had once leaned... or not. That was true in the novel Showboat, but not here. In this film Magnolia is only separated from her gambling husband Gaylord for a very few years before he returns. They both still have their youth and their daughter is quite young and almost everyone has a MGM happy ending. And the biggest surprise - Magnolia's mom turns out to have a heart of gold when, in the novel, her ill temper and constant sniping at first aimed at Magnolia's father and then at her husband, helped precipitate many problems in the first place. To eliminate any talk of controversy and keep this a big happy musical Lena Horne did not get the part of tragic figure Julie. Instead that part went to Ava Gardner.

If you are going to do a musical in the 1950's Howard Keel has a strong wonderful voice and strikes a powerful pose, but that is exactly why he is totally wrong for the part of Gaylord Ravenal. I could believe in the 1936 version when Allan Jones slinks off and leaves Magnolia - he seemed like a credible rat. Not so Howard Keel. He looks every inch a gentleman and does not seem like a coward and a quitter at all, not even if he is practically pushed away.

I'm giving this six stars because it is a cinematically beautiful film with a talented cast performing great musical numbers. Just don't expect the hard edges of the 1936 version.

I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but I like this one. It isn't so much that I love the story but appreciate the quality of film as well as some of the songs. The acting, cinematography, and every other aspect of this film just screams "quality", as it's a gorgeous and well put together film--though I must admit that the costumes are often rather garish. What I really I love about the film is hearing OLD MAN RIVER. In this case it's NOT sung by the legendary Paul Robson--who sang it on Broadway as well as in the previous sound version of the movie. Still, although it's not Robson, the man singing just blew me away with his brilliant voice and soulful rendition. What the original film lacked was color and high quality singing and production values. It was good, but this remake just jumped out of the screen! So, even without the legendary Robson, the remake is simply better.

By the way, although the film is quite good, it does promote the 'happy slave' myth--especially when you see very happy, well-fed and non-sweaty slaves running from the fields to meet the show boat. Where are the overseers with whips? Where are the hungry, barefoot children? Not in this film, that's for sure. That's why although I liked the film, I can't give it better than a 7.

UPDATE: I finally got around to seeing the 1936 version by Universal Studios. Although it was in black & white, the film was superior overall. In particular, it retained much of the controversial plot involving interracial love and marriage. It's sad, but this earlier version was much more brave and ahead of its time than the later MGM version. However, and I know this will sound like sacrilege, I preferred the rendition of "Old Man River" in the 1951 version--even though Paul Robson (who made the song famous on Broadway) was in the 1936 film. He was great--but the 1951 version was just greater to me.

I fell in love with Show Boat when I saw it. Yes the ending is a little corny, but everything else is a joy. The Technicolour is truly lavish, colourful and just a feast for the eyes and the costumes are lovingly designed too. The opening sequence especially is a mini-masterpiece of music, style and colour I feel. The songs are classics and nothing less than that, I don't have a personal favourite but I have always been fond of Ol' Man River and Can't Help Loving Dat Man. The direction is satisfying, the pacing is more secure here, the plot with its themes of compulsive gambling and miscegenation and the dialogue sparkles. And the performances are real jewels in the crown, Kathryn Grayson is wonderful, as is Howard Keel, whose voice and looks I cannot get enough of. However, my favourite performances come from Ava Gardner, who looks stunning and has rarely given a more poignant performance and William Warfield, whose rendition of the difficult Ol' Man River is somewhat richer and warmer than Paul Robeson's timeless rendition. Overall, a wonderful musical. 9/10 Bethany Cox