Jimmy the Gent (1934) in Color — Starring James Cagney & Bette Davis

Jimmy the Gent (1934) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the fast-talking energy of James Cagney at his most electrifying in Jimmy the Gent (1934), now available to buy as a professionally colorized version. Paired with the fiery Bette Davis in one of their earliest screen collaborations, this classic film is a rapid-fire comedy-crime romp about rival heir-finders racing to locate missing beneficiaries and claim finder’s fees. Originally released in black and white, this restored pre-Code gem has been carefully enhanced through frame-by-frame HD colorization. Download your instant, DRM-free copy today for just €15.00 and watch Cagney and Davis trade barbs in color.

Plot Summary

Jimmy Corrigan runs a brash and unapologetically shady operation — he scours obituaries and probate records for unclaimed estates, then tracks down living relatives who can inherit the fortunes, collecting a hefty finder’s fee for his trouble. His methods are aggressive, his office is chaotic, and his ethics are flexible at best. What gnaws at Jimmy is not the morality of his business but the fact that his former secretary and unspoken love, Joan Martin, has left him to work for Charles Wallingham, a rival heir-finder who operates behind a veneer of respectability and high-society polish.

Determined to win Joan back, Jimmy reinvents himself overnight — adopting refined manners, elegant suits, and a newly civilized demeanor designed to prove he can be every bit as cultured as Wallingham. His loyal but bewildered assistant Lou struggles to keep up with the transformation as Jimmy pursues leads on a massive unclaimed estate that could make him rich and respectable in one stroke.

The competition between Jimmy and Wallingham escalates into a war of wits, forgery, and increasingly outrageous schemes, with Joan caught squarely in the middle. When Jimmy discovers that Wallingham’s sophisticated operation conceals frauds far more serious than anything in his own messy playbook, the confrontation delivers a sharp moral twist that reveals who the real gentleman is. This classic movie barrels along at a breathless pace, clocking in at a lean sixty-seven minutes of pure pre-Code energy.

Cast & Crew

• Starring: James Cagney, Bette Davis, Allen Jenkins, Alan Dinehart, Alice White
• Director: Michael Curtiz
• Runtime: 67 minutes
• Year: 1934
• Rated: Passed
• Genre: Comedy, Romance, Crime, Drama
• Country: USA

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized and restored version adds a sparkling new dimension to one of the pre-Code era’s most entertaining comedies. The colorization process reveals the cluttered energy of Jimmy’s chaotic office, the polished elegance of Wallingham’s rival operation, and the sharp contrast between the two worlds in rich, period-accurate tones. Cagney’s explosive physical energy and Davis’s cool sophistication are enhanced by the warmth and texture that color brings to their scenes together, making every rapid exchange feel more immediate and alive. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Jimmy the Gent arrived during the final months of the pre-Code era, when Hollywood could still tackle morally ambiguous characters and questionable business practices with gleeful abandon. Director Michael Curtiz, who would later helm Casablanca, brought his signature brisk pacing and visual flair to the production, crafting a film that wastes not a single frame across its compact runtime. The pairing of Cagney and Davis — both at the start of their legendary careers at Warner Bros. — crackles with competitive energy that foreshadows the studio’s golden age of star-driven pictures. The film also offers a fascinating window into the Depression-era world of heir hunting, a genuine industry that thrived on unclaimed estates and became a rich source of material for Hollywood storytellers.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1934)
• Colorized: Frame-by-frame HD colorization
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 67 minutes
• 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)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: What is Jimmy the Gent about?
The film follows Jimmy Corrigan, a fast-talking heir finder who competes with a polished rival for both business and the affections of his former secretary Joan, leading to a battle of wits that exposes who is truly dishonest.

Q: Do James Cagney and Bette Davis have good chemistry in this film?
Absolutely. Their combative energy and contrasting styles create some of the most entertaining exchanges of the pre-Code era, previewing the electric screen presence both would bring to their greatest roles.

Q: Who directed Jimmy the Gent?
Michael Curtiz directed the film, bringing the same crisp pacing and visual dynamism that would later make him the director of Casablanca.

Digital Download Questions

Q: Is this the original film with added color?
Yes, this is the original black and white film professionally colorized frame-by-frame for authentic, vibrant visuals.

Q: What devices can I watch this on?
Any device that supports MP4 playback, including Smart TVs, Windows/macOS computers, and iOS/Android devices.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
Yes, this digital download is DRM-free for your personal use.

Q: How and when will I receive my download?
You will receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after purchase. A copy of the link will also be sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Paper Moon (1973)
• The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
• The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
• Witness to Murder (1954)
• Kiss Me Deadly (1955)