Magnolia, daughter of Captain Andy Hawks, grows up on her father's show boat, idolizing her best friend and leading lady Julie. Years later, Magnolia becomes a leading lady herself and falls in love with riverboat gambler Gaylord Ravenal, eloping with him. However, the couple faces challenges when Captain Andy's sudden death forces them to leave the boat and move to Chicago, away from Parthy's disapproval and Ravenal's failing luck.
Show Boat
The 1936 film adaptation of Edna Ferber's novel is a largely wordless interpretation, with a few musical numbers added at the last minute.
