DRAMA . 1929 . 2h 26m . 5.7/10

Show Boat_

"Universal's Motion Picture Triumph!"

This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical based on the novel. There are only two major changes from Ferber's book : *Julie in this version is a white woman, not a racially mixed one; therefore she and her husband are not unlawfully married. * Ravenal returns at the end, instead of dying as in the novel

Starring Laura La Plante, Joseph Schildkraut, Emily Fitzroy
5.7/10
Rating
2h 26m
Runtime
1929
Year
Updated Feb 16, 2026
Show Boat poster
Universal's Motion Picture Triumph!

This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical based on the novel. There are only two major changes from Ferber's book : *Julie in this version is a white woman, not a racially mixed one; therefore she and her husband are not unlawfully married. * Ravenal returns at the end, instead of dying as in the novel

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DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Cast
Laura La Plante stars as Magnolia in Show Boat.
Laura La Plante →
Year context
Show Boat was released 97 years ago in 1929.
Overview
This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical based on the novel. There are only two major changes from Ferber's book : *Ju...
Show Boat is a Drama film with a runtime of 2h 26m.

CAST (20)

Laura La Plante
Laura La Plante
Magnolia
Joseph Schildkraut
Joseph Schildkraut
Gaylord Ravenal
Emily Fitzroy
Emily Fitzroy
Parthenia Ann Hawks
Otis Harlan
Otis Harlan
Capt. Andy Hawks
Alma Rubens
Alma Rubens
Julie Dozier
Jack McDonald
Jack McDonald
Windy
JL
Jane La Verne
Magnolia as Child / Kim
Neely Edwards
Neely Edwards
Schultzy
EB
Elise Bartlett
Elly
Stepin Fetchit
Stepin Fetchit
Joe
Jules Bledsoe
Jules Bledsoe
Joe [prologue]
TG
Tess Gardella
Queenie [prologue]
Carl Laemmle
Carl Laemmle
Himself [prologue]
Helen Morgan
Helen Morgan
Julie LaVerne [prologue]
FZ
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
Himself [prologue]
Max Asher
Max Asher
Utility Man
Matthew Beard
Matthew Beard
Child
George Chesebro
George Chesebro
Steve Baker
JC
Jim Coleman
Stagehand
CC
Claude Collins

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
146 min (2h 26m)
Country
Rating
5.7/10 (3 votes)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Show Boat about?
This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical based on the novel. There are only two major changes from Ferber's book : *Julie in this version is a white woman, not a racially mixed one; therefore she and her husband are not unlawfully married. * Ravenal returns at the end, instead of dying as in the novel
How long is Show Boat?
Show Boat has a runtime of 146 minutes (2h 26m).
Who stars in Show Boat?
The cast of Show Boat includes Laura La Plante, Joseph Schildkraut, Emily Fitzroy, Otis Harlan, Alma Rubens.
What is the rating of Show Boat?
Show Boat has a rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on 3 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (1)

Drama
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