If I Had a Million (1932) in Color — Starring Gary Cooper & Charles Laughton

Plot Summary

John Glidden is a dying millionaire who despises his greedy relatives and decides to thwart their expectations by giving away his entire fortune before he dies. His method is brilliantly capricious: he opens the city phone book at random, selects names, and sends each chosen stranger a cashier’s cheque for one million dollars with no explanation or conditions attached.

The film follows the stories of several recipients as they react to this extraordinary windfall. Each vignette explores a different facet of human nature and social circumstances through the lens of sudden, unexpected wealth. A meek office clerk uses his million to perform one magnificent act of defiance against his tyrannical boss. A condemned man on Death Row receives his fortune too late for it to save him. A streetwalker uses the money to do the one thing she most desires — sleep alone in a real bed. These and other stories weave together into a tapestry of comedy, drama, and social commentary.

The most celebrated segments include W.C. Fields as a henpecked husband who uses his million to buy an automobile and systematically demolish every road hog who has ever tormented him, in a sequence of inspired automotive mayhem that ranks among the comedian’s finest work. Charles Laughton plays a downtrodden clerk whose reaction to receiving the cheque is a masterclass in understated comic acting that says more with a single facial expression than most actors achieve with pages of dialogue.

The various stories build toward a thematic conclusion about the nature of wealth, happiness, and the remarkable diversity of human desires. Some recipients are transformed by the money, others are destroyed by it, and a few prove that what they truly wanted was something no amount of money could buy. The anthology format allows each segment to achieve maximum impact while the connecting tissue of the dying millionaire’s generosity provides philosophical depth to the entertainment.

Cast & Crew

Director: Ernst Lubitsch, Norman Taurog, Stephen Roberts, Norman Z. McLeod, James Cruze, William A. Seiter, H. Bruce Humberstone

Stars: Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields, George Raft, Jack Oakie, Charlie Ruggles, Alison Skipworth, Mary Boland, Gene Raymond

The extraordinary ensemble represents a who’s who of early 1930s Hollywood talent. Charles Laughton’s wordless reaction to receiving the cheque is one of the great moments in screen comedy. W.C. Fields’s demolition derby sequence is a masterpiece of comic timing and mounting absurdity. Each director brings a distinct style to their segment while maintaining the film’s overall tone.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of If I Had a Million enhances every segment of this inventive anthology, with the variety of settings — from luxurious mansions to dingy offices, prison cells to busy streets — rendered in rich, natural tones that complement each story’s unique mood and atmosphere. Now also available in colour. The colour presentation adds warmth to the comedy and depth to the dramatic moments, creating a more immersive viewing experience. Buy If I Had a Million (1932) Colorized – €15.00

Historical Significance

If I Had a Million is one of the most inventive films of the early sound era, pioneering the anthology format that would later be used in films like Tales of Manhattan and anthology television series. The film’s extraordinary cast includes multiple future Academy Award winners in early career-defining performances. Through colorization, this delightfully original comedy-drama has been preserved for modern audiences who can appreciate its clever premise, stellar performances, and timeless observations about human nature and the meaning of wealth.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 88 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play on any device
• Instant download: Yes
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this an anthology film with separate stories?
A: Yes, the film features multiple self-contained vignettes connected by the premise of a dying millionaire giving away his fortune, each featuring different stars and directors.

Q: Which segment is the most famous?
A: W.C. Fields’s road rage demolition derby and Charles Laughton’s wordless reaction to his cheque are the two most celebrated sequences, both rightfully considered comedy classics.

Q: Is Gary Cooper in the film?
A: Yes, Cooper appears in one of the vignettes, though his segment is more dramatic than comedic, demonstrating his range as a performer in this early period of his career.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file that plays on virtually any modern device including computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.

Q: Is there DRM protection on the file?
A: No, the download is completely DRM-free, meaning you own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or internet requirements.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: The download is available instantly after payment is confirmed, allowing you to start watching within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Slightly Dangerous (1943)
• Hold That Blonde! (1945)
• Imitation General (1958)
• Mr. Lucky (1943)
• City Streets (1931)