SHOWBOAT

US, 1951, 104 minutes, Colour.
Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, Marge and Gower Champion, Joe E. Brown, Agnes Moorhead, William Warfield.
Directed by George Sidney.

Showboat was one of the musicals from M.G.M’s heyday and the days of Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel. They do well by Jerome Kern's popular score and Ava Gardner adds some subtlety as Julie. However, times change and this is not the musical style anymore. However, if such allowances are made and this type of musical comedy is appealing, this film version is above average.

1. Showboat was released in 1951. What characteristics of the 50's musical are evident in the film? How do you think Showboat would be made in the 70's? Would it differ very much?

2. How important is the plot in Showboat? Is it worth considering and trying to understand the values behind it, or is it just a story to hang the songs on? Why?

3. Are the songs important in Showboat? Are they part of the plot? Do they add to the plot, characterisation, themes. drama? Magnolia and Gaylord and their meeting in 'Make Believe', as well as its use at the end of the film with Kim? 'Why Do I Love You' in the financial troubles in Chicago? ‘Ol Man River' and the situation in the South - were the background sequences to this song important; the river, the boat, the blacks at work. its use at the end of the film? Julie and 'Can't Help Lovin' That man of Mine', and 'Bill'? Magnolia's reprisal of the song at the Trocadero leading to magnolia's job; Gaylord hearing Julie singing it on the boat? 'Life upon the Wicked Stage' for humour?

4. Was the South in the 1880's and 1890's authentically sketched or was it glossed over? (Note Julie’s arrest, the Hawks' attitude to blacks. the Hollywood presentation of African Americans, etc.)? Is this important for a film like Showboat?

5. The themes emerge with the characters,
- Magnolia - heroine, romance, marriage, desertion, maturing, motherhood, love for parents, for Julie?
- Gaylord - hero, dashing, a gambler, a loser, a coward, what had he learned by the end?
- Cap'n Andy - relationship with his wife, love for Magnolia and teaching her, principles?
- Julie, tragic, Julie and men, being put off the Showboat, love for Magnolia, being deserted, drink. her sacrifice for Magnolia, challenging Gaylord, Julie at the end of the film?

6. Why is Showboat such a favourite musical – music, story, characters?