It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) in Color — Starring Don DeFore & Ann Harding

It’s a Wonderful World (1939) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy It’s a Wonderful World (1939) in color — W.S. Van Dyke’s sparkling screwball comedy-mystery pairing Claudette Colbert and James Stewart in a madcap adventure of mistaken identity, fugitive chases, and reluctant romance. Also starring Guy Kibbee, Nat Pendleton, and Frances Drake. The screen’s newest team of fun-mates — available now as an instant, DRM-free digital download.

Plot Summary

Guy Johnson (James Stewart) is a sharp-witted private detective who has been hired to keep wealthy playboy Willie Heyward out of trouble. When Heyward is framed for a murder he did not commit and convicted on circumstantial evidence, Guy finds himself sentenced as an accessory and headed to prison alongside his client. Convinced that Heyward is innocent and determined to find the real killer before his client is executed, Guy stages a daring escape from the train transporting him to the penitentiary, leaping from the moving cars into the wilderness. Now a fugitive himself, Guy must track down the actual murderer while dodging the relentless pursuit of Captain Streeter (Guy Kibbee) and the dogged Sergeant Koretz (Nat Pendleton), who are determined to recapture him at any cost. His carefully laid plans are thrown into complete chaos when he literally stumbles into Edwina Corday (Claudette Colbert), a flighty, poetry-obsessed amateur actress on a camping trip in the woods. Edwina witnesses enough to become a liability, and Guy — unable to risk her going to the police — is forced to drag her along on his investigation. What follows is a breathlessly paced cross-country pursuit through small towns, theatrical boarding houses, and high-society gatherings, as Guy and Edwina bicker, scheme, and gradually fall for each other while closing in on the real murderer. Guy disguises himself variously as a Boy Scout leader, a poisoned man, and a theatrical impresario, while Edwina proves to be both an infuriating hindrance and an unexpectedly brilliant asset. The trail leads them to the glamorous Vivian Tarbel (Frances Drake), whose connection to the murder runs deeper than anyone suspects. As the police close in from every direction and the clock ticks toward Heyward’s execution date, Guy and Edwina must risk everything in a final confrontation that will either prove Heyward’s innocence or send them both to prison.

Cast & Crew

• Director: W.S. Van Dyke
• Starring: Claudette Colbert as Edwina Corday, James Stewart as Guy Johnson, Guy Kibbee as Capt. Streeter, Nat Pendleton as Sgt. Koretz, Frances Drake as Vivian Tarbel
• Runtime: 86 minutes
• Year: 1939
• Rated: Approved
• Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance
• Country: USA

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized version of It’s a Wonderful World brings W.S. Van Dyke’s whirlwind screwball comedy to dazzling visual life. The meticulous frame-by-frame colorization process reveals the full splendor of late-1930s America — the lush green woods where Guy first encounters Edwina, the warm golden interiors of small-town boarding houses, and the gleaming art-deco elegance of high-society drawing rooms that provide the backdrop for the film’s climactic revelations. Claudette Colbert is radiant in color, her fashionable wardrobe and expressive features brought to life with rich, naturalistic tones that capture her status as one of Hollywood’s most glamorous leading ladies. James Stewart’s boyish charm and lanky physicality gain new dimension in color — his rumpled fugitive disguises contrasting beautifully with the polished world he must infiltrate to solve the murder. The colorization reveals details invisible in the original black and white photography — the deep blue of police uniforms, the earthy tones of woodland camping scenes, the warm amber of period automobiles and restaurant interiors. Guy Kibbee’s avuncular Captain Streeter and Nat Pendleton’s hulking Sergeant Koretz become even more vivid comic presences in color, their contrasting physical types enhanced by the restored palette. This colorized version of the classic movie preserves every frame of Van Dyke’s breathlessly paced direction while unlocking the visual richness hidden within the original cinematography.

Historical Significance

It’s a Wonderful World occupies a special place in the golden age of screwball comedy as a film that brilliantly fuses the mystery genre with romantic farce. Directed by the legendary W.S. Van Dyke — nicknamed ‘One-Take Woody’ for his extraordinary efficiency — the film was produced by MGM at the absolute peak of the studio system and benefits from the kind of polished production values that only Hollywood’s most powerful studio could deliver. The pairing of Claudette Colbert and James Stewart brought together two of the era’s brightest stars: Colbert was fresh from her triumphs in It Happened One Night (1934) and had established herself as the queen of sophisticated comedy, while Stewart was on the verge of his extraordinary run that would include Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), and The Philadelphia Story (1940). Van Dyke, best known for creating The Thin Man series with William Powell and Myrna Loy, was a master of blending comedy, romance, and mystery into seamless entertainment. The film’s screenplay by Ben Hecht — one of Hollywood’s greatest writers — crackles with wit and invention, keeping the audience guessing while delivering a steady stream of laughs. Released in 1939, the greatest year in Hollywood history, It’s a Wonderful World holds its own against fierce competition and remains a delightful discovery for fans of classic screwball comedy.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1939)
• Colorized: Professional frame-by-frame HD colorization and restoration
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 86 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)

Is It’s a Wonderful World related to It’s a Wonderful Life?
No — despite the similar titles, the two films are entirely different. It’s a Wonderful World (1939) is a screwball comedy-mystery starring Claudette Colbert and James Stewart, directed by W.S. Van Dyke. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) is Frank Capra’s beloved Christmas drama starring Stewart in a completely different role. Both are classics, but they share only a leading man and a hopeful title.

Who was W.S. Van Dyke?
Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke II was one of the most prolific and commercially successful directors in Hollywood history. Known as ‘One-Take Woody’ for his rapid shooting style, he directed over 80 films including The Thin Man (1934), San Francisco (1936), and Marie Antoinette (1938). His ability to blend genres and elicit effortless chemistry from his stars made him one of MGM’s most valuable directors during the golden age of the studio system.

How do Claudette Colbert and James Stewart work together on screen?
Their chemistry is surprisingly electric. Colbert brings her trademark sophistication and comic timing, while Stewart counters with his natural awkwardness and earnest determination. The result is a pair who fight, argue, and scheme their way through danger while the audience watches their inevitable romance develop with delight. It is one of the most underrated pairings of the screwball era.

What makes the screenplay by Ben Hecht special?
Ben Hecht was one of the most acclaimed screenwriters in Hollywood history, responsible for classics like The Front Page, Scarface, Notorious, and His Girl Friday. His script for It’s a Wonderful World is a masterful blend of mystery plotting and screwball comedy, keeping the whodunit suspense alive while delivering a relentless barrage of witty dialogue and absurd situations.

Is this the original film with added color?
Yes, this is the complete original 1939 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 It’s a Wonderful World brings W.S. Van Dyke’s effervescent screwball comedy-mystery to vivid new life for a generation of classic film enthusiasts. Watch this landmark classic movie and experience the colorization that reveals every detail of this madcap adventure.

Related Colorized Classics

• It Happened One Night (1934)
• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
• After the Thin Man (1936)
• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• Bringing Up Baby (1938)