- A mostly silent version of Edna Ferber's original novel, with some songs from the musical as a last-minute addition
- The film begins with Magnolia, daughter of Captain Andy Hawks and his domineering wife Parthy, enjoying her childhood aboard her father's show boat. Parthy, irritated over the supposed influence of leading lady Julie (Magnolia's idol and best friend) fires her, despite her husband's objections. Many years later, Magnolia is a young woman and becomes a leading lady. Her leading man is Gaylord Ravenal, a riverboat gambler with whom she falls in love and elopes. But the sudden and unexpected death of Captain Andy forces the couple to leave the boat and move to Chicago rather than endure the disapproving Parthy, and Ravenal's gambling luck soon runs out. Then, Parthy announces she's coming to visit.—Albert Sanchez Moreno
- (This film sticks very closely to the Edna Ferber novel, rather than the musical on which the novel is based. 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.)
The Cotton Palace, a show boat, travels the Mississippi River in the late 1800's. Its owner is Captain Andy Hawks, who is married to the embittered, nagging Parthy. They have an eight year old daughter, Magnolia.
Parthy is jealous of the close friendship between Magnolia and leading lady Julie Dozier. She fires Julie, and Captain Andy cannot change her mind.
About ten years pass. The show boat needs a new leading man, and they hire handsome riverboat gambler Gaylord Ravenal. Captain Andy makes the now eighteen year old Magnolia the new leading lady. She and Ravenal quickly fall in love and elope. When they return to the Cotton Palace, they have to endure the wrath of Parthy. Magnolia becomes pregnant, but on the night that her baby daughter Kim is born, a violent storm breaks out, and Captain Andy falls overboard and drowns.
Now faced with Parthy running the boat, Magnolia and Ravenal decide to leave and go to Chicago with Kim. They are alternately rich and broke, depending on Ravenal's luck. One day they receive a note from Parthy, announcing she's coming to visit. Terrified that she will discover that he is not a good family provider, Ravenal leaves and returns drunk, with money he borrowed from the local whorehouse madam. After he falls asleep, Magnolia returns the money, and discovers that the madam is none other than Julie. Instead of judging her, Magnolia is ready to embrace her friend, but the remorseful Julie rebuffs her out of shame. When Magnolia returns to the hotel, she finds that Ravenal has deserted her. Parthy shows up and sneers "I told you so!" Magnolia throws her out and the two never speak to each other again.
Magnolia runs into Schultzy, an old friend from the boat. He takes her to a local cabaret, where she is hired and becomes a hit. Before long, she has a successful international career, with Ravenal always secretly keeping track of her.
Many years pass, and Magnolia is now aged and retired. She receives a telegram saying that Parthy has died on the boat. When Magnolia returns to the Cotton Palace for the funeral, she finds a repentant Ravenal, whom she is reconciled with.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content