GREAT PERFORMANCES: SHOW BOAT (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramatic arts programs. This installment is a television adaptation of the classic Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II musical that depicts the life of show people along the Mississippi from the 1880s to the 1920s. In the story, the Cotton Blossom showboat loses its star performers when leading lady Julie LaVerne is discovered to have a mixed ancestry. When the law forces Julie and her husband Steve Baker to leave the show, Capt. Andy Hawks casts his daughter, Magnolia, in the lead role as a replacement, playing opposite Gaylord Ravenal, a mysterious drifter. They fall in love despite the protests of Mrs. Hawks, and a marriage is announced. Songs include "Ol' Man River," "Life Upon the Wicked Stage," and "You Are Love."

The second half of the program follows the lives and shifting fortunes of former Cotton Blossom performers, both on the riverboat and in Chicago. Gaylord Ravenal's life as a gambler threatens his marriage to Magnolia, who returns to the stage; Frank and Ellie become a vaudevillian comedy team and adopt a child; and Julie LaVerne struggles with her problems while also working in vaudeville. Many characters are reunited in 1920 aboard the brand new Cotton Blossom. Songs include "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You?," "Bill," and a reprise of "Ol' Man River."

In the segment "Talking About 'Show Boat'," which follows the presentation, Oscar Hammerstein's son William discusses "Show Boat," calling it a "watershed musical."

Details

NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
DATE: October 27, 1989 9:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 2:40:37
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: T:29163
GENRE: Music
SUBJECT HEADING: Music, popular (songs, etc.); Musical revues, comedies, etc.
SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1974-
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Jac Venza … Executive Producer
Angelo Del Rossi … Executive Producer
Rhoda Grauer … Producer
John Walker … Producer
Patricia Ryan … Associate Producer
Robert Johanson … Director
Jerome Kern … Composer
Hammerstein, Oscar, II … Book and lyrics by
Edna Ferber … Writer, Based on the novel "Show Boat" by
Sharon Halley … Choreographer
Eddie Bracken … Cast, Captain Andy Hawks
Richard White … Cast, Gaylord Ravenal
Rebecca Baxter … Cast, Magnolia Hawks, Kim Ravenal (adult)
Shelley Burch … Cast, Julie LaVerne
Lee Roy Reams … Cast, Frank Schultz
Lenora Nemetz … Cast, Ellie May Chipley
P.L. Brown … Cast, Joe
Ellia English … Cast, Queenie
Marsha Bagwell … Cast, Parthy Ann Hawks
Robert Jensen … Cast, Stephen Baker
Lawrence Vincent … Cast, Windy McLain
Monte Ralstin … Cast, Pete Gavin
Michael McCarty … Cast, Ike Vallon
Patti Allison … Cast, Mrs. O'Brien
Lauren Gaffney … Cast, Young Kim
Phil Hall … Cast, Jake
Larry Grey … Cast, Jim
"Talking About 'Showboat'" credits:
John Walker … Producer
Carol Stowe … Producer
William Hammerstein … Guest