MovieChat Forums > Show Boat (1951) Discussion > Ava Gardner's final scene

Ava Gardner's final scene

posted 11 years ago by bfp13108
3 replies | jump to latest

When Julie stands on the dock as the Cotton Blossom departs and throws them a kiss - I do not believe that I have ever seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life.

[–] preppy-3 10 years ago

Total agreement. She took my breath away.

[–] OhmsLaw 10 years ago

I always thought that final scene was so sad but actually when she first leaves the boat is sadder. She is holding her pet monkey on her lap in the carriage and she cuddles it under her chin, then looks back over her shoulder at the boat sailing away without her. That depressing "Ol'Man River" is being played and she still had her beauty at this point in the movie so she looks all the more heartbreaking.

[–] nikkilynn1982 8 years ago

By the end of the film, the Julie character has supposedly sunken to the depths of alcoholism, depression, and probably prostitution (hinted at when she was traveling with the guy who smacks her right before she meets Ravenal). Even though they tried to make her look like a washed out alcoholic broad by filming her sans make-up, she still looks DAMN good anyway!