MovieChat Forums > Show Boat (1951) Discussion > Old man river

Old man river

posted 17 years ago by cats2011
8 replies | jump to latest

What is the name of the excellent black singer who sings "Old Man River"?

[–] justoldbill 17 years ago

William Warfield.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] schappe1 13 years ago

He gets the subtlies in the song better. He doesn't just "belt it out".

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[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TooSlim 13 years ago

It was William Warfield, not Robeson...Paul Robeson was in the 1936 screen version. They are both wonderful singers.

[–] joeparkson 12 years ago

Warfield's version is the best I've ever heard. He hits the low notes well, but his operatic finish holding that high note for such a long time really makes it special.

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[–] hachmom-1 11 years ago

A perfect example how a single performance in a movie can keep a artist in the public eye...without his performance in Showboat Mr Warfield would be known mostly by lovers of stage musicals and opera. Because of Old Man River he remains in the public consciousness...

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[–] Harold_Robbins 10 years ago

That song gives me chills no matter who sings it.

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