Show Boat (1936): cast, story & where to watch
1936 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1936, Show Boat is a comedy, drama and music film directed by James Whale, running about 113 minutes. “HEAR Glorious New Music and Songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II:” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.
Who’s in it. Show Boat stars Irene Dunne as Magnolia Hawkes, Allan Jones as Gaylord Ravenal, Charles Winninger as Cap'n Andy Hawkes and Paul Robeson as Joe, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, Show Boat has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV and TCM. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Show Boat page.
If you liked it. Fans of Show Boat tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Show Boat (1936)?
- In US, Show Boat is available to stream on YouTube TV and TCM. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Show Boat worth watching?
- Show Boat holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Show Boat?
- Show Boat stars Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger, Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan.
- When was Show Boat released?
- Show Boat was released in 1936, with a runtime of about 113 minutes.