REVIEW
The film was originally titled, Showboat 1988: The Remake. However, in answer to objections from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., director Schmidt deleted all references to the play or novel (“Show Boat” by Edna Ferber). Schmidt actually staged open auditions in San Franciscoʼs California Hall for the alleged remaking of “Showboat.” As in “A Chorus Line,” the auditions are the heart of the story, except in “1988” those who try out are not just show-business types, they represent a microcosm of American society, from the elderly couple who dream of dancing on the “Lawrence Welk Show” to a bearded transvestite in a tutu. By saying: Write your own fantasies in celluloid,” the film examines our voyeuristic national tendency, which is evidenced by all those who want to appear on television game shows, of needing the validation of an audience in order to perform our lives. Unlike the material from which it borrows, “1988” strips away the structure of its fantasies, leaving the audience as well as the performers naked and vulnerable. Courage to those who can live without dreams.” ––Linda Gross, LOS ANGELES TIMES
SEE MOVIE: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/936440147/599bd3ce4d
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Read Chapter entitled, “SHOWBOAT 1988––THE REMAKE,” from author LAUREN BERLANT’S best-selling book, "THE FEMALE COMPLAINT.” (Scroll down to “Showboat” text—starts on page 275/bottom of page, and goes to p. 279: CLICK HERE).
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Jesus Christ Satan, and "Return -O- Blob' acts/SHOWBOAT 1988 movie. (49 years ago!). Interviewers: Constance Penley (book,"NASA TREK; Popular Science & Sex in America"), & Kelley Brock Boen.