Carnival (1935) in Color — Starring Lee Tracy & Sally Eilers

Carnival (1935) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Carnival, the 1935 drama directed by Walter Lang and starring Lee Tracy and Sally Eilers, now available as a professionally colorized version. “Chick” Thompson is a puppet-master in a traveling carnival whose wife dies in childbirth and leaves him with an infant son he names “Poochy.” His father-in-law and the baby’s grandfather sues him for custody of the baby and Chick takes his son and hides out for a couple of years. He joins his former assistants, Daisy and “Fingers”, in a circus act only to find that the persistent grandfather is still on his trail. Set against the colorful backdrop of carnival life, this heartwarming drama explores themes of family, fatherhood, and the bonds between parent and child. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

“Chick” Thompson is a puppet-master in a traveling carnival, entertaining audiences with his skill and artistry. His life takes a tragic turn when his wife dies in childbirth, leaving him with an infant son he names “Poochy.” Chick is devastated by the loss of his wife but finds solace in caring for his newborn son. However, his father-in-law, the baby’s grandfather, believes that Chick cannot provide a suitable home for the child and sues him for custody.

Faced with the prospect of losing his son, Chick makes the difficult decision to take Poochy and go into hiding. For a couple of years, father and son live as fugitives, moving from place to place to avoid detection by the persistent grandfather. During this time, Chick struggles to provide for his son while maintaining their bond and protecting Poochy from the harsh realities of their situation.

Eventually, Chick reconnects with his former assistants from the carnival, Daisy and “Fingers,” and joins them in a circus act. The circus provides a temporary home and a means of livelihood, but Chick soon discovers that his grandfather-in-law is still on his trail, determined to gain custody of Poochy. The film builds to a climax where Chick must fight for his right to be a father to his son, proving that love and devotion are the most important qualities in parenting.

Cast & Crew

Director: Walter Lang

Writer: Robert Riskin

Stars: Lee Tracy, Sally Eilers, Jimmy Durante

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Carnival was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the vibrant energy of carnival life and the emotional warmth of the father-son relationship. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the colorful carnival rides and attractions to the intimate moments between Chick and Poochy. The colorized version reveals new visual splendor in the film’s settings, where the bright colors of the carnival contrast with the more muted tones of the fugitive life, visually reinforcing the film’s themes of joy and hardship. Jimmy Durante’s legendary comedic presence gains additional warmth in color, while the film’s emotional core — the bond between father and son — is enhanced by the visual richness of the colorized restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy Carnival in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1935, Carnival reflects the pre-war American cinema’s engagement with family themes and the challenges faced by single parents during the Great Depression era. The film was released during a time when many families were dealing with economic hardship and the struggles of daily life during the Depression. Chick’s struggle to maintain custody of his son resonated with audiences who understood the fragility of family bonds in uncertain economic times.

Lee Tracy, a popular leading man of the 1930s known for his fast-talking, streetwise characters, brings his distinctive style to the role of Chick Thompson. Sally Eilers, a major star of the early 1930s, provides emotional depth to the story. Jimmy Durante, already a beloved entertainer by 1935, brings his trademark combination of comedy and heart to the supporting role, enhancing the film’s appeal with his unique presence. The film’s carnival setting provides a colorful backdrop that adds visual interest to the story.

The film’s exploration of fatherhood and custody battles anticipates the more explicit examinations of these themes that would emerge in later decades as family law and social attitudes toward parenting evolved. The film’s sympathetic portrayal of a single father fighting for his child reflects changing social attitudes about fatherhood and parental rights during the 1930s. Through modern colorization, this heartwarming drama reaches new audiences who can appreciate its exploration of timeless themes of family, love, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in Carnival?
A: Lee Tracy stars as Chick Thompson, with supporting performances by Sally Eilers and Jimmy Durante.

Q: What is the plot of Carnival?
A: A carnival puppet-master loses his wife in childbirth and must fight for custody of his infant son against his father-in-law, going on the run and eventually joining a circus act to support his child.

Q: Who directed Carnival?
A: The film was directed by Walter Lang, with screenplay by Robert Riskin.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
• The Sea of Grass (1947)
• The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)
• Three on a Match (1932)
• Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today (1948)