Hard to Get (1938) in Color — Starring Dick Powell & Olivia de Havilland

Hard to Get (1938) — Buy This Classic in Color

Hard to Get (1938) is a sparkling screwball comedy starring Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland as two stubborn people who fall in love despite their best efforts not to. Directed by Ray Enright with a breezy pace and sharp wit, this professionally colorized version brings the glamorous 1930s settings and charming performances to delightful new life. Buy your colorized copy today for €15.00 and own this charming classic movie in color.

Plot Summary

Margaret Richards is a wealthy, headstrong heiress who stops for gas at a small-town filling station run by the ambitious young architect Bill Davis. When she carelessly drives off without paying, Bill tracks her down at her family’s lavish estate and demands his money in front of her horrified society friends — humiliating her in the most public way possible. Furious and intrigued in equal measure, Margaret decides to teach this impertinent gas station attendant a lesson, but her elaborate scheme to put him in his place backfires spectacularly when she starts falling for his honest determination and refusal to be impressed by her fortune. The classic movie crackles with rapid-fire banter as Bill and Margaret trade insults and stolen glances while her meddling but good-hearted father, who secretly admires Bill’s independent spirit, and a parade of eccentric characters complicate everything at every turn. Margaret’s wealth becomes both the obstacle and the engine of the plot, as Bill’s fierce pride refuses to let him accept help from the woman he loves, and Margaret’s equally fierce pride refuses to let her admit she needs anyone at all. The comedy builds through increasingly absurd misunderstandings and romantic near-misses, with Margaret’s attempts to manipulate Bill consistently undermined by her own growing affection, until both are forced to acknowledge that love cares nothing for bank accounts or social standing.

Cast & Crew

Director: Ray Enright

Stars: Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, Charles Winninger, Allen Jenkins, Bonita Granville, Melville Cooper

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This colorized version of Hard to Get brings 1930s glamour and warmth to every scene. The professionally colorized restoration reveals the rich fabrics of Margaret’s elegant wardrobe, the warm art deco interiors of the Richards mansion with their polished woods and gleaming surfaces, the sun-lit outdoor scenes of the countryside filling station, and the opulent party sequences where high society sparkles with champagne-gold tones. Every frame-by-frame detail is rendered with precision that makes the comedy’s visual contrast between Bill’s modest world and Margaret’s privileged one sparkle even brighter and more meaningful. The romantic chemistry between Powell and de Havilland fairly glows in color. Now also available in colour.

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

Historical Significance

Hard to Get paired two of Warner Bros.’ brightest stars at the peak of their charm and youthful appeal. Olivia de Havilland, appearing between her iconic roles in The Adventures of Robin Hood and Gone with the Wind, proved herself a gifted and naturally funny comedienne with impeccable timing, demonstrating a range that extended well beyond the period dramas for which she would become most famous. Dick Powell was transitioning from his boyish musical persona into more sophisticated leading-man roles, and his chemistry with de Havilland — fueled by their well-known off-screen romance — gives the film a warmth and authenticity that elevates it above the typical studio romantic comedy. The classic film features the Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer song ‘You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,’ which became a massive hit and an enduring American standard, recorded by dozens of artists over the following decades. Director Ray Enright keeps the pace brisk and light, never letting a scene run a moment longer than necessary. Charles Winninger is delightful as Margaret’s genial millionaire father who sees through the young couple’s pretenses long before they do. The film is a prime example of the Depression-era romantic comedy that used class conflict as the engine for romance. The restored colorized version allows modern audiences to watch this delightful romantic comedy with renewed visual appeal and appreciate its timeless charm.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 80 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: Is ‘You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby’ from this film?
A: Yes, the famous Harry Warren–Johnny Mercer standard was written specifically for Hard to Get and became one of the biggest hits of 1938.

Q: Were Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland frequent co-stars?
A: They appeared in several Warner Bros. films together during the 1930s and were romantically linked off-screen as well, lending genuine chemistry to their performances.

Q: Is this the colorized version of the full film?
A: Yes, this is the complete 80-minute feature, professionally colorized frame-by-frame from the restored original.

Q: What type of comedy is this?
A: It is a classic screwball comedy in the tradition of It Happened One Night, using class conflict and romantic sparring as its comic engine, with the wealthy heiress and the self-made man clashing before inevitably falling in love.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: DRM-free MP4, compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: €15.00 for instant download. The colorization process ensures every scene looks stunning in color.

Q: Can I watch on multiple devices?
A: Absolutely. The file is DRM-free, so you can watch on your TV, tablet, phone, or computer.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
• Follow the Fleet (1936)
• Ladies of Leisure (1930)
• Unfaithfully Yours (1948)
• The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951)