MovieChat Forums > Show Boat (1951) Discussion > William Warfield had a great voice.

William Warfield had a great voice.

posted 14 years ago by doug7347
7 replies | jump to latest

and so did his wife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWysofRIRr8

[–] eek-a-mouse 14 years ago

"Old Man River" was the greatest thing in this film for me.

[–] Delainadee 14 years ago

I was able to hear him sing Old Man River at a small concert not long before he died, and his voice was still majestic even then.

[–] critic-2 14 years ago

"Old Man River" was the greatest thing in this film for me.

And for me too. The rest of the film can't hold a candle to it. It's the only scene in the film which I always watch, and which can measure up to the great 1936 film version of "Show Boat", in which Paul Robeson sings the song.

[–] MrsC2007 10 years ago

He is outstanding. He is indeed the best part of the film.

[–] joeparkson 10 years ago

The duet "Make Believe" was done better in 1951 than in the 1936 version.

Soy 'un hijo de la playa'

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

I'd never heard of William Warfield before just now catching him singing 'Old Man River' in this on TV. After hearing his impassioned rendition of this song, I can only say that he deserves to be more well-known

[–] Filmfanforever (13) 8 years ago

I recently saw Show Boat for the first time. I didn't care for the movie overall, but William Warfield was great. I met him many, many years ago (late 80s) when he performed at a venue I ushered at as a volunteer. He was very warm and gracious when shaking my hand in greeting. Hearing his live performance that day was memorable.