SHOWBOAT
US, 1936, 110 minutes, Black and White.
Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger, Helen Morgan, Helen Westley, Paul Robeson.
Directed by James Whale
Show Boat is a 1930s version of the Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein Broadway musical, and was made within ten years of its first being performed on Broadway. Irene Dunne was a popular star in the mid 30s. Allan Jones was a popular singer, appearing in The Firefly (and singing the popular ‘Donkey Serenade’), as well as Rose Marie with Jeanette Mac Donald. He also appeared in A Day at the Races and A Night at the Opera with the Marx Brothers. Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel took the roles of Magnolia and Gaylord in the 1951 version. Charles Winninger is Cap’n Andy (Joe E. Brown in 1951). Helen Morgan who had a film made about her in the 1950s, The Helen Morgan Story, with Ann Blyth and Paul Newman, is Julie – Ava Gardner in 1951.
One of the advantages of seeing this film is hearing Paul Robeson sing ‘Old Man River’.
The film was directed by the British director James Whale – whose biography was presented in the film Gods and Monsters with Ian Mc Kellen. He came to Hollywood after directing Journey’s End, directing Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein as well as The Old Dark House. This is an opportunity to see and hear Show Boat close to its origins in the theatre.
1. The popularity of the show: stage, screen, music? The traditions of the songs and the way that they were sung? How well does this film fit into the tradition?
2. The film as an example of mid-thirties musicals? From Universal Studios rather than from M.G.M.? Black and white photography, the singing, choreography? The working in of the songs to the plot? The style of singing and its pace?
3. The importance of the stars, especially Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson and his singing of 'Ole Man River'?
4. The quality of the music and its presentation, the quality of the songs, their popularity, their place within the drama?
5. How well communicated was the world of the Showboat, 19th century entertainment? The people on the boat, the river way of life, entertainment, putting on a show?
6. How engaging was the character of Captain Andy? His wife? The running of the Showboat, Captain Andy being bossed around? Their love for Magnolia? Their support of her throughout the years?
7. How attractive a heroine was Magnolia? Irene Dunne's verve and particular style? Singing and dancing? Naivete and innocence, romance? Her songs illustrating her character? Her love for her parents, the way of life on the Showboat, her devotion to Julie - and their singing and dancing and sharing together? The repercussions of this in her later life and Julie bowing out for Magnolia's success? The arrival of Gay? His character, charm? Songs illustrating his character? The bond between the two? Their marriage, Kim, their way of life, gambling? His decision to leave and the effect on him, on Magnolia? Magnolia's bringing up of Kim, leading her own life? The significance of the evening at New Year's Eve? The success over the years, career? International tours? The irony of the ending and Gay's arrival at the theatre? The reunion? The gap of so many years?
8. The character of Julie, her songs? The importance of her illustrating racial themes and prejudice? The pathos of her later life?
9. The world of the blacks in the southern state, characters, Joe, the singing of 'Ole Man River' and its indications of themes?
10. How entertaining a piece of Americana is “Showboat”? Entertainment, illustration of 19th century American themes?
