Cheap Show Boat (DVD) (Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner) (George Sidney (II)) Price
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| ACTORS: | Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner |
| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | George Sidney (II) |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 24 September, 1951 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Warner Studios |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color, Closed-captioned |
| TYPE: | Musical |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 012569509429 |
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Customer Reviews of Show Boat
when movies were movies and MGM ruled the musicals. Grayson and Keel were a perfect match and make the make-believe real. She of the hour-glass figure and pouty mouth is all sweetness,but it works and he has just the right touch of Rhett. And Ava, well it's the movie that made her a STAR. The final scene is Ava without make-up and looking sensationl as the Show Boat paddles away with the love birds Kate and Howard. A wow ending at the time. Each musical number/song is perfection and the support cast is ideal from Joe E and Agnes to Marge and Gower. Everyone envolved in this project enjoyed it and it shows. Glorious Technicolor made it the Valentine it was meant to be. The Irene Dunne version pales by comparsion, though it has some moments. MGM just remade it bigger and better. Show Boat, as the song says, YOU ARE LOVE!
Inferior Remake
Okay, the movie does have that grand sense of MGM style that only that studio could bring to a musical. And Ava Gardner is wonderful as Julie. Having said that, this version pales before its magnificent 1936 predecessor because MGM decided to totally rip out the guts and substance of the original musical that has made it an enduring classic since 1927. All we're left with are the feel-good elements and that in the end makes this version of "Show Boat" something it should not be. What happened to Queenie, such a prominent character in the original? The wonderful angry middle section of "Ole Man River?" How can MGM be so stupid as to take out Capn'Andy's best part from the show, where he has to act out the melodrama singlehandedly (something that Joe E. Brown would have been born to do)? Why is Magnolia made less of an independent woman by having her go home instead of becoming a success? While the 1936 version was sadly truncated in some sections it at least managed to retain the essence of what makes "Show Boat" a musical classic. MGM's version only gives us a sugarcoated edition that has it's moments, but ultimately fails.
OL' MAN RIVER KEEPS ON ROLLIN' ON DVD
"Show Boat" was Jerome Kern's immortal gift to the Broadway stage. An instant hit upon its initial release, the movies just couldn't wait to capitalize on its success. The plot concerns a river boat performer who just happens to be mulato(Ava Gardner in this version) (a big "No, No" in the old south and it gets her broomed). On board is also Magnolia (Kathryn Grayson), a naive child who discovers her own heart break when she marries gambling scallywag, Gaylord Ravenal (Howard Keel). This version of the stage play tempers the racial undertones with more baritone and schmaltz than was previously showcased or, for that matter, necessary. Nevertheless, the results a la MGM's sterling production values, is astoundingly beautiful. Marge & Gower Champion, Joe E. Brown and Agnes Moorehead also headline.
TRANSFER: VERY NICE! A clean, bright, bold and beautiful print that is long on quality and short on digital anomalies. Blacks are solid and deep. Colors are rich and vibrant. Very few scenes illustrate that the original film elements are sixty years old. Though there is some minor pixelization and edge enhancement neither distract from your viewing enjoyment. The audio is mono but remarkably well balanced.
EXTRAS: Sorry. Not a one!
Bottom Line: Must have!