SHOW BOAT MOVIE CAST - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: GOWER CHAMPION, MARGE CHAMPION - HFSID 251931

MARGE CHAMPION and GOWER CHAMPION
A 10x8 signed black and white photograph of the husband and wife team known for their Broadway and choreography partnerships starring in Show Boat (1951)
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Roberta/good luck/Marge Champion" and "Gower Champion". B/w, 8x10. Publicity still from Show Boat picturing Marge and her husband, Gower Champion, as Ellie May Shipley and Frank Schultz in the 1951 musical. Gower and Marge Champion formed one of the most popular dance duos of the postwar-World War II era, appearing together on Broadway in 3 for Tonight! (1955) and on the silver screen in Mr. Music(1950), Show Boat(1951), Lovely to Look At (1952), and Everything I have Is Yours (1952), among many others. Gower Champion (1919-1980) won a total of eight Tony Awards, five for choreography and three for directing. He was nominated for another seven Tonys. He shared an Emmy nod in 1959 for directing The Pontiac Star Parade. Gower built his career on Broadway, but he has dozens of television and film credits in numerous on-screen and off-screen positions. Dancer, choreographer and teacher Marge Champion (1919-2020) assisted with his Broadway shows as a choreographer and even performed in some of them, including the aforementioned 3 for Tonight! (1955). Her final performance on Broadway was in Follies(2001). She also compiled a number of credits on the screen, with her choreography work inQueen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) earning her a Primetime Emmy. The Champions divorced in 1973, but their legacy together lives on; in 1960, both received a star on the Walk of Fame and in 2002, the couple was awarded a career achievement award at the American Choreography Awards. Lightly creased at margins. Minor creases on image (not evident head on). Fine condition.