On December 7, 1927 "Show Boat" a new musical play with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, opened at the Ziegfeld
Theatre in New York. The Memorable night introduces what has come to many as America's best opera-certainly it's most beloved show melodies - and
the cast of "Cotton Blossom" which included Helen Morgan, Norma Terriss, Edma May Oliver, Howard Marsh, Charles Winninger, and Jules Bledsoe.
"Show Boat" had arrived to stay forever on the American and international stage, and "Ol' Man River" was familiar in every capital of the world.
The Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II hit was successfully revived on Broadway in 1932, again in 1946 and 1948, and it is safe to say that
Magnolia, Julia, and Ravenal have appeared singing thei famous songs on stages everywhere for almost 25 years. The"Show Boat" music is now in the
repertoire of leading symphony orchestras, and the radio, the stage and screen have immortalized the "Show Boat" story.
In MGM's Technicolour picture, "Show Boat" has reached new heights in colourful, magical entertainment. The "Cotton Blossom" cast,
headed by Cap'n Andy, puts on it's finest performance, and M-G-M stars Kathryn Grayson as "Magnolia," Ava Gardner as "Julie," and Howard Keel as
"Ravenal" head a magnificant cast in a triuphant screen story.
The best of the many wonderful things about "Show Boat" is the score, and M-G-M Records provides a new and delightful presentation of the
hits by the original cast of the picture. Kathryn Grayson's many record fans will welcome some of her finest recorded performances as she joins
Howard Keel in "Make Believe," "You Are Love," and "Why Do I Love You? Ava Gardner, whose debut as a record star occurred recently on her M-G-M
Records hit, "How Am I To Know?" (MGM 30352) sings "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "Bill." It is always a surprise to new "Show Boat" audiences
to learn that P.G.Wodehouse collaborated with Oscar Hammerstein II on the lyrics for "Bill." Marge and Gower Champion, well known on Broadway and
now on the screen, are another M-G-M Records debut as they present "I Might Fall Back On You" and "Life On The Wicked Stage." Finally, William
Warfield sings "Ol Man River," a new and moving performance of a perennial "Show Boat" favourite. The M-G-M Studio Orchestra is under the
direction of Adolph Deutch. Orchestrations are by Conrad Salinger, and vocal arrangements are by Richard Tucker.
Here comes the "Show Boat" again. There are few people who have never seen the show, fewer still who have not enjoyed it's wonderful music. M-
G-M Records invites you to join the vast "Show Boat" audience as a new listener or an old friend and to enjoy it's charm again and again.
These are the original liner notes from the album
Make Believe Kathryn Grayson-Howard Keel
Bill Ava Gardner
Life Upon The Wicked Stage Marge and Gower Champion
You Are Love Kathryn Grayson-Howard Keel
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Ava Gardner
I Might Fall Back On You Marge and Gower Champion
Why Do I Love You? Kathryn Grayson-Howard Keel
Ol' Man River William Warfield Available Options:
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