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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780792837657
Format: Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0792837657
Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Release Date: January 06, 1998
Running Time: 107 minutes
Sales Rank: 8295
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Theatrical Release Date: September 24, 1951
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
The show that first defined the Broadway musical has never come to the screen intact, despite three tries. But take this splashy 1951 MGM extravaganza on its own terms, and it boggles the eyes. Not to mention the ears: The Kern-Hammerstein score includes some staples of the American songbook, such as 'Make Believe,' 'After the Ball,' and 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man.' Perhaps a riverboat gambler is almost too-easy casting for Howard Keel, and Kathryn Grayson is overly twittery, which may be why the film's middle sags when they take center stage. But any time the uncannily beautiful Ava Gardner smolders, a lush tragic undertone takes over (even if the most interesting parts of her story seem to take place offscreen). The physical production is extraordinary: the busy riverside setting, the outrageous color design, and best of all an 'Old Man River' (sung by William Warfield) staged in the mists of morning. -- Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Best musical written
This is one of the best musicals ever written. Wonderful music throughout the entire movie. Lynda Thompson
Rating: - wonderful movie ( musical)
An American Classic,World-Class!Beautiful music and fantastic acting !A real musthave for everyone loving a movie that never will bore you as long as you live ! This review comes from Europe but I say : God bless America and it's people,no matter what colour of skin they have! If you're white, black, brown, yellow or red : we are all human beings with our ups and downs, happiness and sorrows, joy and grief ! They all have given us such wonderful things in the past, and there"ll be more in the future ... Read More
Rating:  - Save me please.
I am fortunate to have both this version on DVD and the 1936 version on a Criterion Laserdisk. I simply do not understand those who believe the 1951 version is better. Just the joy of Paul Robeson and Hattie McDaniel in the key support roles makes the 1936 version a joy to watch over and over again. Friends who know that I own this 1936 gem come over to my house just to see Showboat as it was meant to be seen. Perhaps if the other reviewers had seen both versions, they would agree with me. Until ... Read More
Rating: - Show Boat
I bought the Show Boat DVD as a gift for my parents. The plastic case for the DVD was damaged/broken at the top of the case and the plastic wrap was partially torn. The damage didn't appear to occur during shipment as the cardboard shipping box was completely intact and showed no outer damage. So, the item was apparently shipped already containing the damage. Not a big deal as long as the DVD is ok, but since I was buying it for a gift, I wasn't very happy.
Rating: - Showboat fan
Showboat is a classic. Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson are at the top of their form. The Champions dance better than any other dance duo of their time.
The opening scenes with the happy slaves in the cotton fields and the garish colors of the entertainers deserves being skipped with a click of the scene selection button on the remote control. But after that, the movie is sheer joy.
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