Theatre Trivia Tweet: Show Boat’s Julie LaVerne Helen Morgan in the film Show Boat. Who played the original Julie LaVerne in the 1927 production of Show Boat? She also played the role in the original singing/talking movie adaptation of the stage show. SelectReveal Answer> That would be Helen Morgan. Morgan was an amazing talent who was noted for her torch singing and, unfortunately like Julie, her alcohol problem. Post navigation previous postNext Post