Design for Living (1933) in Color — Starring Fredric March & Miriam Hopkins

Design for Living (1933) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy Design for Living (1933) in color — Ernst Lubitsch’s irresistibly witty pre-Code comedy starring Gary Cooper, Fredric March, and Miriam Hopkins, now professionally restored and colorized in HD. This classic film is a masterwork of sophisticated romance and sparkling wit, available for instant digital download at just €15.00, DRM-free.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Design for Living (1933) is the quintessential Lubitsch comedy — playful, urbane, and delightfully scandalous by the standards of its era. Ernst Lubitsch’s legendary “touch” is everywhere in this tale of two men and one woman navigating an unconventional romantic arrangement in 1930s Paris. Watching this classic film come alive in the soft, warm tones of Pre-Code Hollywood adds a new layer of visual elegance to its witty dialogue and the magnificent performances of Gary Cooper, Fredric March, and the irrepressible Miriam Hopkins.

This colorized version preserves the artistry of the original while breathing vivid new life into every frame.

Originally filmed in black and white, Design for Living has been professionally restored and colorized frame-by-frame using advanced digital technology. The colorization brings Lubitsch’s meticulously designed Parisian interiors, the chic period costumes, and the warm cosmopolitan atmosphere into rich visual focus — making this a feast for the eyes as well as a joy for the intellect. Every scene’s craftsmanship shines through in a way that color only enhances.

When you purchase Design for Living (1933) in color from AlwanFilm, you receive:

• A professionally restored and colorized HD print
• Instant digital download — no waiting, no shipping
• DRM-free file — play it on your TV, laptop, tablet, or phone
• Lifetime access to your purchase

Technical Details

| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Title | Design for Living (1933) Colorized |
| Director | Ernst Lubitsch |
| Starring | Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Runtime | 91 minutes |
| IMDb Rating | ★ 7.4/10 |
| Original Format | Black and White |
| Colorized Format | HD Digital |
| File Format | MP4 / MKV |
| Price | €15.00 |
| Delivery | Instant Digital Download |
| DRM | DRM-Free |

Cast & Crew

• Fredric March as Tom Chambers
• Miriam Hopkins as Gilda Farrell
• Gary Cooper as George Curtis
• Edward Everett Horton as Max Plunkett
• Franklin Pangborn as Mr. Douglas
• Isabel Jewell as Plunkett’s Stenographer
• Jane Darwell as Curtis’ Housekeeper
• Director: Ernst Lubitsch

Plot Summary

Gilda Farrell (Miriam Hopkins) is a young American commercial artist living in Paris when she meets two charming men on a train: Tom Chambers (Fredric March), an aspiring playwright, and George Curtis (Gary Cooper), a struggling painter. All three become fast friends — and before long, both Tom and George confess their love for Gilda.

Rather than choose between them, Gilda proposes an unconventional arrangement: they will live together as intimate companions, with romance theoretically off limits. The agreement, of course, proves impossible to maintain. When Gilda eventually retreats into a conventional marriage with the pompous businessman Max Plunkett (Edward Everett Horton), both Tom and George struggle to accept that the woman they love has chosen respectability over art and adventure.

Lubitsch handles the potentially scandalous premise with extraordinary lightness and compassion, never moralizing, always finding the human truth beneath the comic surfaces. The result is one of the most liberating American romantic comedies of the Pre-Code era — wickedly funny, genuinely touching, and anchored by three of the most irresistible screen presences of the 1930s.

Historical Significance

Design for Living (1933) occupies a unique place in Hollywood history as one of Ernst Lubitsch’s most daring and sophisticated achievements, and as a defining example of Pre-Code cinema when American films briefly allowed bold adult themes before the stringent Hays Code enforcement of 1934. Based on Noël Coward’s celebrated stage play — substantially reworked by screenwriter Ben Hecht — the film remains one of the most audacious romantic comedies ever produced in Hollywood.

The pairing of Gary Cooper and Fredric March with Miriam Hopkins was a masterstroke of casting, their contrasting temperaments creating perfect comic and dramatic tension throughout. This classic movie is also available in colour for international audiences who appreciate the golden age of Hollywood comedy. Design for Living stands as essential Lubitsch, equal to Trouble in Paradise (1932) and Ninotchka (1939).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Pre-Code Hollywood?
Pre-Code Hollywood refers to American sound films produced between 1929 and 1934, before the strict enforcement of the Hays Production Code. These films could address adult themes — including sexuality and moral ambiguity — with a frankness not seen again until the 1960s.

How is the colorization done?
The original black and white print is restored frame-by-frame using advanced digital colorization software. Period research guides color choices for the 1930s Parisian setting, costumes, and interiors to ensure visual authenticity.

Is this the original 1933 film?
Yes. This is the original Design for Living (1933) directed by Ernst Lubitsch — not a remake. Colorization adds color while preserving the original audio, dialogue, and all scenes completely intact.

Is this a DRM-free digital download?
Yes. Your purchase of Design for Living (1933) Colorized is completely DRM-free. Download it once and keep it forever — no internet connection required to watch.

What devices can I watch this on?
The HD file plays on any modern device: smart TV, laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Compatible with VLC, Windows Media Player, and all major media players.

How quickly will I receive my download?
Instantly. As soon as your payment is confirmed, your download link is available. No shipping, no waiting.

Related Colorized Classics

• Trouble in Paradise (1932)
• Ninotchka (1939)
• To Be or Not to Be (1942)
• It Happened One Night (1934)
• The Thin Man (1934)