I’ll Give a Million (1938) in Color — Starring Warner Baxter & Marjorie Weaver

I’ll Give a Million (1938) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy I’ll Give a Million (1938) in color — Walter Lang’s delightful social comedy about a disillusioned millionaire who disguises himself as a tramp to test the sincerity of human kindness. Starring Warner Baxter as Jean-Paul Le Doyen, Marjorie Weaver as Claudine, Peter Lorre as Louie, Jean Hersholt as Doyen, and John Carradine as Morris. A tramp who wanted nothing … a tycoon who gave everything — available now as an instant, DRM-free digital download.

Plot Summary

Jean-Paul Le Doyen (Warner Baxter) is a fabulously wealthy French industrialist who has grown utterly disgusted with the greed, flattery, and insincerity that surround him at every turn. Convinced that no one in his privileged world is capable of genuine human kindness, he makes a dramatic decision — he will give away his fortune and live as a penniless tramp on the streets of a Riviera town, testing whether ordinary people will show him compassion when there is nothing to gain by doing so. Before disappearing, Le Doyen makes a public announcement that he will give one million francs to anyone who shows true kindness to a tramp, setting off a wave of frantic good deeds across the town as every citizen scrambles to be generous to every vagrant in sight, hoping to claim the staggering reward. The comedy unfolds as the townspeople’s performative charity creates absurd situations — tramps are suddenly treated like royalty, fought over by shopkeepers and socialites, and pampered with meals and gifts by people who previously would have crossed the street to avoid them. Louie (Peter Lorre), a shrewd and cynical vagabond, immediately sees through the farce and attaches himself to the scheme with darkly comic self-interest. Morris (John Carradine), another eccentric figure navigating the chaos, adds an extra layer of sardonic wit. Old Doyen (Jean Hersholt), Jean-Paul’s concerned business associate, desperately tries to locate the missing millionaire and restore order. Meanwhile, the disguised Le Doyen encounters Claudine (Marjorie Weaver), a beautiful and warm-hearted young woman who treats him with genuine kindness and affection long before the million-franc offer becomes public knowledge. Claudine, who goes by Betty among friends, sees past his ragged clothes to the intelligent and sensitive man underneath, and their growing romance becomes the emotional heart of the film. As the town’s manufactured generosity reaches feverish and increasingly ridiculous proportions, Le Doyen must navigate the chaos while protecting his identity and his blossoming relationship with the one person whose kindness requires no financial incentive. The film builds to a charming conclusion that restores Le Doyen’s faith in humanity through the most unexpected channel — genuine, unselfish love.

Cast & Crew

• Director: Walter Lang
• Starring: Warner Baxter as Jean-Paul Le Doyen, Marjorie Weaver as Claudine, Peter Lorre as Louie, Jean Hersholt as Doyen, John Carradine as Morris
• Runtime: 72 minutes
• Year: 1938
• Rated: Approved
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Country: USA

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized version of I’ll Give a Million brings the sun-drenched charm of the French Riviera to dazzling life. The frame-by-frame colorization process reveals the visual splendor that Walter Lang carefully composed in every scene — the azure Mediterranean sky above whitewashed buildings, the warm terracotta of rooftop tiles, and the vibrant market stalls overflowing with colorful produce as townspeople compete to impress every passing tramp. Warner Baxter’s transformation from polished tycoon to weathered vagrant gains remarkable visual depth in color, with the contrast between his former silk-suited elegance and his adopted dusty, patched clothing telling the story of his deliberate descent. Marjorie Weaver radiates natural warmth in soft pastels and floral prints that visually distinguish her genuine kindness from the gaudy, overdressed efforts of the town’s suddenly charitable citizens. Peter Lorre’s sly Louie is rendered in shadowy earth tones that perfectly suit his scheming, streetwise character, while John Carradine brings angular intensity in dark, dramatic hues. The restored and colorized version of this classic movie transforms the comedic set pieces into visual feasts — the parade of pampered tramps dining at fine restaurants in their ragged finery becomes genuinely hilarious when the clash of colors underscores the absurdity. This colorized version preserves every frame of the original while the professional colorization reveals the full visual comedy and romantic beauty that the original black and white could only hint at.

Historical Significance

I’ll Give a Million is a charming Depression-era comedy that used humor and fantasy to explore very real anxieties about wealth, charity, and social hypocrisy. Released in 1938, when America was still recovering from economic devastation, the film’s premise — a rich man testing whether kindness exists without profit motive — struck a nerve with audiences who had witnessed both the failures and occasional triumphs of human generosity during hard times. The film was based on a story by the great Italian screenwriter Cesare Zavattini, who would later become one of the founding figures of Italian neorealism with films like Bicycle Thieves. Warner Baxter, who had won the Academy Award for Best Actor for In Old Arizona in 1929, brought star power and dramatic credibility to the comedic role. The supporting cast assembled by 20th Century Fox was remarkable — Peter Lorre, fresh from his terrifying roles in M and Mad Love, demonstrated surprising comic gifts, while John Carradine and Jean Hersholt added gravitas and warmth. The film is considered a notable classic film of the late 1930s that blends sophisticated European comedy with Hollywood glamour, and it remains an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of what kindness truly means.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1938)
• Colorized: Professional frame-by-frame HD colorization and restoration
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 72 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email upon purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the premise of I’ll Give a Million?
A disillusioned millionaire named Jean-Paul Le Doyen (Warner Baxter) disguises himself as a tramp and announces he will give one million francs to anyone who shows genuine kindness to a vagrant. The announcement sets off a hilarious scramble across a French Riviera town as everyone competes to be generous to tramps, hoping to claim the reward. The film is a witty social comedy about the difference between performative charity and genuine human compassion.

Is Peter Lorre funny in this film?
Absolutely. Peter Lorre, best known for sinister and villainous roles, delivers a wonderfully comic performance as Louie, a streetwise tramp who immediately sees through the town’s sudden charity and angles to exploit the chaos for his own benefit. His dry wit and impeccable timing make Louie one of the film’s most entertaining characters and demonstrate Lorre’s remarkable versatility as an actor.

Who was Cesare Zavattini?
Cesare Zavattini was a legendary Italian screenwriter and theorist who is considered one of the founders of Italian neorealism. The story that inspired I’ll Give a Million originated from his creative imagination. He would later achieve international fame for writing Bicycle Thieves (1948), Shoeshine (1946), and Miracle in Milan (1951), all masterpieces of world cinema.

Is this film suitable for family viewing?
Yes, I’ll Give a Million is a lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable comedy suitable for all ages. Its themes of kindness, generosity, and romance are handled with charm and wit, making it a perfect classic movie for family movie nights.

Is this the original film with added color?
Yes, this is the complete, uncut original 1938 film that has been restored and enhanced with professional colorization technology. Every scene and all original dialogue are preserved exactly as intended.

What devices can I watch this on?
You can watch this colorized version on any device that plays MP4 or MKV files, including computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and media players like Roku or Apple TV.

Is the download DRM-free?
Absolutely. Your purchase is completely DRM-free, meaning you own the file outright with no restrictions on how many times you watch it or on which devices you play it.

How and when will I receive my download?
You will receive your download link instantly on-screen after purchase, and a backup link will also be sent to your email address. No waiting period — you can start watching immediately.

How much does it cost to buy this colorized classic?
The price for this restored and professionally colorized edition is €15.00 — a one-time payment for a permanent, DRM-free download you can watch anytime.

Also available in colour for international viewers. This restored and professionally colorized edition of I’ll Give a Million brings Walter Lang’s sparkling social comedy to vibrant new life through expert colorization for a generation of classic film fans. Watch this charming classic movie and discover the delightful tale of a millionaire who found what money could never buy.

Related Colorized Classics

• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• It Happened One Night (1934)
• Easy Living (1937)
• Wife, Husband and Friend (1939)
• Kidnapped (1938)