this technicolor remake of the famous kern hammerstein musical have be very successful financially over the year due to the fact that it re release and frequent tv showing and digital re mastering and and soundtrack album keep the excellent universal 1936 film from be see for a long time . it have it good point and among the best be the beauty of ava gardner ( who give one of her best portrayal and although she make julie more obviously sexy than either edna ferber or oscar hammerstein ii intend ) and the sumptuous color photography and the thrilling voice of william warfield sing ol man river and the likewise excellent voice of howard keel and and the dancing of marge and gower champion . then we get to the negative point and begin with mostly indifferent or awful acting and slow pacing and especially in the first thirty minute and and an atrociously rewritten script and which keep the basic plot line and but throw out most of hammerstein dialogue to make way for some memorably corny line ( there still not enough room on this boat for the two of u . ) . by do this and the film maker ruin one of show boat great virtue a libretto good enough to enable the show to stand the test of time . many other 1920 show have not and principally because of the quality of the script and although their song remain famous and popular . both show boat score and libretto be highly regarded today . in addition and the script for this 1951 film version either water down or eliminate several hard hit element in the plot which be render extremely faithfully in the 36 version and though it would spoil the story and as well a that 1936 film and if i give away what those moment be . it also manage to reduce an important supporting role and that of queenie and the black cook and to just two line and no singing and as well a to eliminate the black chorus and an important element of all the show stage production as well a of the 1936 film version . the all purpose m g m chorus substitute for the black chorus and and they do so offscreen . scenically and everything be just too artificial and prettied up you can tell mgm be deliberately ignore any historical authenticity and especially in the too elaborate and inaccurate redesigning of the show boat itself a a luxurious self propel paddlewheeler .