I am not much of a movie buff though, during recent years, I have watched hundreds of movies made by Hollywood. Among all I have viewed, there are very few that really touch me as Show Boat does.
Both the 1936 and 1952 versions are wonderful movies, but in my mind, the 1936 version is the preferred one though I love Ava Gardner in the 1952 version. It is interesting to see that almost all the characters are likeable people. Cap'n Andy Hawks is a very jovial impresario of the showboat. He is very understanding and quick-witted, and the most important, he is incredibly funny. Captain Andy’s wife, Parthenia "Parthy" Hawks, though a mean-spirited woman, is not that disagreeable because she is not bad in herself. Magnolia Hawks, Captain Andy and Parthy’s daughter, is an extremely sweet and lovable character. In the movie, she transforms from a naïve stagestruck teen into a tough and mature lady. What’s more, one can never forget her dancing to “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” early in the movie. The way too constricting dress and the strange look on her face make the dance so funny that it has me in tears for hours. I am not sure if Irene Dunne deliberately chooses to dance in that funny way, but it is certain that her acting ensures the movie to be an unforgettable one. It is really hard to believe that Dunne was in her late thirties in this movie because she looks so young. Julie LaVerne, Magnolia’s best friend, is an elegant mulatto chanteuse. Both the actresses, Helen Morgan and Ava Gardner are excellent in performing Julie LaVerne in different ways. Their captivating voice and elegant acting present the audience the most charming character in the movie. Gaylord Ravenal is a dashing gentle gambler that later becomes Magnolia’s husband. He is a weakling and leaves his family because he is swamped by debts, but interestingly, he is not a repulsive character- at least not in my mind. Joe is another important character in Show Boat. Paul Robeson’s extraordinary rendition of “Ol’ Man River” is undoubtedly the highlight of the movie. His Performance is so magnificent that one can never accurately describe it in words but to hear and see oneself. Of course no discussion is complete without mentioning Queenie, Joe’s forceful and delightful wife. Hattie McDaniel shines in her partnership with Paul Robeson. It is really a pity that in the 1952 version, Joe and Queenie’s playing part is almost thrown away.
The songs are great and immortal. I love every song that appears in the movie, especially “Make Believe”, “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”, “You are Love” and “Ol’ Man River”. The balcony style duet of Irene Dunne and Allan Jones is just so romantic and magical that it captivates my heart immediately. The powerful baritone singing of Paul Robeson is far more than splendid. Even Oscar Hammerstein himself said that Robeson had taken the song away from him and had given it to the ages. Helen Morgan performs her signature song “Bill” powerfully; she personalizes the character and makes it so touchingly. Despite the wonderful singing, the lyrics of the songs deserve high praise too.
What makes Show Boat a great musical movie is not only the perfect rendition but also its storyline. The story is simple yet compelling and enjoyable. My emotions alternate wildly between exuberant mood and overwhelming sorrow with the evolution of the story which moves me much in laughter and tears. When watching Magnolia’s awkward dancing, I burst out laughing. When listening to Joe’s “Ol’ Man River” with the intriguing yet a little bit too dramatic montage of woeful images, I feel like laughing but also very sad. When seeing Frank Schultz dances hard before the boss to help Magnolia get a job, I laugh right out loud but at the same time, was deeply touched by the comradeship between Frank and Magnolia. The reunion of the Hawk family and the last duet by Irene Dunne and Allan Jones move me to tears and make me watch the movie again and again. The reason that Show Boat impresses me so is that it digs out something that produces resonance in the mankind- the most precious thing in the human nature shared by people from all continents -love. I can’t forget that Captain Andy’s word “smile”. He always reminds his daughter to smile- wherever she is and however bad the situation is- smile and things will be better. His attitude of life indeed encourages me a lot.
The last thing that should be mentioned is that Show Boat’s celebration of miscegenation. The movie is a bold one because it chooses not to avoid the racial problem at the time of 1936 when race relations were almost a taboo subject. The movie also contains socially relevant observations regarding alcoholism and gambling addiction, so it differs a lot from the typical enchanting style of Broadway and is an engrossing combination of musical and social observations.
Show Boat, of any perspective, especially when compared to the nowadays many potboilers, is a grand American classic. You can never watch it too many times because every time you watch it, you will be impressed by its brilliant songs and story.
