David Harum (1934) in Color — Starring Will Rogers & Louise Dresser

David Harum (1934) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy David Harum (1934) in color — Will Rogers delivers one of his most beloved performances as a shrewd small-town banker and horse trader in this charming comedy-drama directed by James Cruze for 20th Century-Fox, co-starring Louise Dresser, Evelyn Venable, and Kent Taylor. Now available as a professionally colorized version in stunning restored HD for just €15.00. Originally filmed in black and white, this frame-by-frame colorization brings turn-of-the-century rural New York to vivid life — the bustling Main Street, the lively horse auction, the warm interiors of David Harum’s bank. David Harum is a classic movie that celebrates the wisdom and decency of small-town America. Download this classic film instantly and watch on any device — DRM-free, full 720p HD quality.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of David Harum transforms this warm-hearted small-town story into a visually rich period piece. The Victorian-era Main Street of Homeville, the autumnal countryside where Harum drives his horse deals, the colourful crowd at the county fair, and the cozy interiors of the town bank all gain extraordinary depth through professionally restored and colorized enhancement. The colorization process reveals the details of 1890s rural American life — the harness racing scenes, the period costumes, the delightful chaos of Harum’s trading — with stunning clarity. Every frame has been carefully treated using frame-by-frame colorization techniques to ensure period-accurate tones that honour the original black-and-white photography. Buy David Harum (1934) Colorized today for €15.00 and own this classic film in a DRM-free colorized version you can watch instantly on any device.

Plot Summary

David Harum (Will Rogers) is the shrewdest horse trader in the upstate New York town of Homeville — and its most beloved citizen. As the local banker, he dispenses loans and advice with equal generosity, always finding a way to help those in need while playfully outwitting the pompous and the greedy. When young John Lenox (Kent Taylor) arrives in town to take a position at Harum’s bank, he finds himself drawn into the genial chaos of small-town life — and to Harum’s pretty niece Ann (Evelyn Venable).

Harum’s chief rival is the sanctimonious Deacon (Charles Middleton), with whom he has been trading horse flesh for years in a running battle of wits. Their contests are the talk of Homeville, and the old deacon never quite manages to get the better of a deal. When a new teller places a $4,500 bet on a 10-to-1 harness racing horse — a bet that pays off spectacularly — the town is thrown into commotion. Harum uses the windfall to broker peace, settle old scores, and ensure that John and Ann find happiness, all while keeping one step ahead of the deacon and proving that the art of the deal is really the art of living well.

Cast & Crew

Director: James Cruze

Screenplay: Walter Ferris, Howard Estabrook, from the novel by Edward Noyes Westcott

Studio: 20th Century-Fox

Cinematography: George Schneiderman

Stars: Will Rogers as David Harum, Louise Dresser as Polly, Evelyn Venable as Ann, Kent Taylor as John, Stepin Fetchit as Sylvester, Noah Beery as Woolsey, Roger Imhof as Edwards, Frank Melton as Elwin, Charles Middleton as Deacon, Sarah Padden as the Widow

Will Rogers inhabits David Harum with the same homespun wisdom and gentle trickster spirit that made him America’s most beloved entertainer. The character — drawn from Edward Noyes Westcott’s best-selling 1898 novel — is a natural vehicle for Rogers’ philosophy that common sense, good humour, and a fair deal matter more than wealth or status. Louise Dresser brings sturdy warmth as Polly, and Evelyn Venable is charming as the niece whose romance with Kent Taylor’s earnest banker gives the story its sentimental core.

Director James Cruze, a veteran of Hollywood’s silent era whose The Covered Wagon (1923) had defined the western epic, brings a sure hand to the small-town material. George Schneiderman’s cinematography captures the rhythms of rural life with the same affection that infused Rogers’ newspaper columns and radio broadcasts.

Technical Details

| Field | Detail |
|——-|——–|
| File Format | MP4 / MKV |
| Resolution | HD 720p |
| Colorized | Yes, professional AI-assisted colorization |
| Original Format | Black and White |
| Audio | English original mono |
| Runtime | 83 minutes |
| DRM-free | Yes — watch on any device |
| Instant download | Available immediately after purchase |
| Price | €15.00 |

Historical Significance

David Harum was based on one of the most popular American novels of the 1890s. Edward Noyes Westcott’s book, published posthumously in 1898, sold over a million copies and became a cultural touchstone — its title character entered the American lexicon as shorthand for a shrewd, kindly dealmaker. The novel had already been adapted into a successful stage play before Fox brought it to the screen with Rogers, who was at the peak of his extraordinary popularity.

The film was a solid box-office success in 1934, riding Rogers’ unmatched appeal to Depression-era audiences who found comfort in his portrayal of decent, resourceful Americans. Like Doctor Bull, it showcased Rogers’ dramatic range — David Harum is funny, but he is also wise and principled, a man whose horse-trading is ultimately a form of community service. With its gentle satire of small-town snobbery and its celebration of rural ingenuity, the film remains a charming window into the popular culture of 1930s America.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is David Harum based on a novel?
A: Yes. The film is based on the 1898 novel David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott, which sold over a million copies and became one of the best-selling American novels of the 1890s. Westcott died before seeing it published, and the book became a posthumous sensation.

Q: What is harness racing, as featured in the film?
A: Harness racing is a form of horse racing where horses pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, with the driver seated behind. It was hugely popular in rural New York in the 1890s setting of the film, and the racing sequence is one of David Harum’s most exciting scenes.

Q: Did Will Rogers and director James Cruze collaborate on other films?
A: David Harum was one of several films Rogers made with director James Cruze, a veteran Hollywood director best known for his landmark western The Covered Wagon (1923). Their collaboration brought Rogers’ homespun authenticity to stories that complemented his natural style.

Transitional Questions

Q: Is this the complete original film preserved?
A: Yes. This is the complete, uncut David Harum (1934) — all 83 minutes. No scenes have been removed or altered. The colorization is applied on top of the original black-and-white photography, preserving every frame exactly as audiences saw it in 1934.

Q: How is the colorization quality?
A: The colorization process uses advanced digital techniques to add natural, period-accurate color to every frame. The 1890s rural New York settings, harness racing scenes, and period costumes all benefit from careful, frame-by-frame color restoration that enhances without distorting the original cinematography.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The file format is MP4 / MKV, delivered in HD 720p resolution. It is compatible with any modern device — smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and media players.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
A: Yes. Your purchase is completely DRM-free. You own the file and can watch it on any device without restrictions, subscriptions, or recurring fees.

Q: How quickly will I receive the download?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment is confirmed. You can download and start watching David Harum (1934) in colour within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• Doctor Bull (1933)
• Mr. Skitch (1933)
• Steamboat Round the Bend (1935)
• Life Begins at Forty (1935)
• Too Busy to Work (1932)