The underrated Irene Dunne (never won an Oscar!) had her best musical hour in James Whale's Show Boat. Although this film version is abbreviated, it packs in more musical numbers than the overblown 50s version, including the racially sensitive numbers sung by Paul Robeson and Hattie McDaniel and Dunne's blackface version of "Galavanting." Other standouts include Charles Winninger, Helen Westley, and Helen Morgan. This was the film Whale wanted to be remembered for----and he should! Great stars! Great music! A great piece of Americana-----pre PC!
