Where to Watch Show Boat (1936) in the US

What it's about

Adaptation of the Broadway musical. Magnolia Hawks is the lovely but protected, and thus very naive, daughter of Cap'n Andy Hawks, the genial proprietor of a show boat that cruises the Missisippi, and his nagging wife, Parthy. She is best friends with the show boat's star, Julie LaVerne, but Julie and her husband Steve are forced to leave when it is revealed that Julie has "Negro" blood in her, thereby breaking the state law by being married to the white Steve. Magnolia replaces Julie as the show boat's female star, and the show's new male star is the suave gambler Gaylord Ravenal. "Nola" and Gaylord fall in love and marry against Parthy's wishes. They and their young daughter lead the high life when Gaylord is lucky in gambling, but live like dirt when he's unlucky. During one such unlucky streak, a broken Gaylord leaves Nola, and she is forced to start over by returning to the stage. Like Old Man River, as the famous song from this show goes, she just keeps rollin' along.

Cast and crew

Director

James Whale

Writer

Edna Ferber, Oscar Hammerstein II, Zoe Akins

Starring

Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger

Details

Release date

May 17, 1936

Language

English

Country

United States

Awards

1 win & 1 nomination

Where to Watch Show Boat (1936) in the US — common questions

Where to watch Show Boat in the United States?

Show Boat is available with a subscription in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on YouTube TV (HD).

Can I stream Show Boat or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on YouTube TV (HD).

Can I watch Show Boat for free in the United States?

We have not confirmed a free option for Show Boat in the United States.