Lady by Choice (1934) in Color — Starring Carole Lombard & May Robson

Lady by Choice (1934) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the charming Depression-era comedy of Lady by Choice (1934) Colorized, David Burton’s heartwarming story of a fan dancer who adopts an elderly lady from a poorhouse to serve as her ‘mother’ for a publicity stunt, only to develop a genuine bond of affection, now available for purchase in stunning color for just €15.00. This digitally enhanced version brings delightful visual warmth to a film that showcases Carole Lombard’s radiant comedic talent and May Robson’s wonderful reprise of the lovable con-woman character type. Own this DRM-free digital download and discover a pre-Code gem that balances saucy humor with genuine heart, presented with vivid colorization that captures the glamour and grit of 1930s show business.

Plot Summary

Alabam Lee (Carole Lombard) is a beautiful and savvy fan dancer performing in a burlesque show who lands in legal trouble when her act attracts the attention of morality crusaders. Facing jail time for public indecency, her sharp-witted publicist orchestrates a brilliant defense strategy — if Alabam can present herself as a respectable woman with strong family values, the judge will be more lenient. The problem is that Alabam has no family connections whatsoever.

The resourceful dancer visits the local poorhouse and selects Patsy Patterson (May Robson), a spirited, gin-loving elderly woman with a talent for colorful language and outrageous storytelling. Alabam legally adopts Patsy, presenting her to the court as evidence of her charitable nature and devotion to family. The publicity stunt works beautifully — not only does Alabam avoid jail, but the heartwarming story of the dancer adopting the old woman generates enormous positive press coverage.

What begins as a cynical arrangement gradually transforms into something genuine and unexpected. Despite their different backgrounds — the young showgirl and the sharp-tongued old reprobate — Alabam and Patsy develop a real mother-daughter bond. Patsy provides the maternal wisdom and stability that Alabam never had, while Alabam gives the old woman a home, purpose, and the affection she had long abandoned hope of finding. However, complications arise when Alabam’s boyfriend Johnny Mills (Roger Pryor) resents Patsy’s influence, and the old woman’s fondness for alcohol threatens to embarrass Alabam at a crucial moment in her career. The film navigates the tensions between genuine affection and self-interest with surprising sophistication, building toward an emotionally satisfying resolution that affirms the chosen family both women have created.

Cast & Crew

Director: David Burton

Stars: Carole Lombard as Alabam Lee, May Robson as Patsy Patterson, Roger Pryor as Johnny Mills, Walter Connolly as Judge Doolittle, Arthur Hohl as Kendall, Raymond Walburn as Dr. Donat Donat Donat Donat Bogg

Carole Lombard displays the sparkling personality and comedic instincts that would soon make her Hollywood’s greatest screwball comedienne. May Robson brings the same irresistible combination of toughness and tenderness that earned her an Oscar nomination in Lady for a Day. Director David Burton finds the right balance between the story’s pre-Code sauciness and its genuine emotional core, allowing the relationship between the two women to develop naturally and convincingly.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of Lady by Choice brings the vibrant world of 1930s show business to sparkling life. Carole Lombard’s glamorous dancer costumes and the colorful burlesque stage settings gain dazzling visual impact, while the contrast between the grey austerity of the poorhouse and the bright energy of Alabam’s theatrical world creates visual storytelling that reinforces the narrative’s themes of transformation. Lombard’s legendary beauty and luminous screen presence achieve their full impact in color, and the period costumes and Depression-era settings gain authentic visual texture. Now also available in colour. Buy Lady by Choice (1934) Colorized today for €15.00 and own this delightful pre-Code comedy in a DRM-free format you can enjoy forever.

Historical Significance

Lady by Choice was produced as an unofficial companion piece to the enormously successful Lady for a Day, reuniting May Robson and Walter Connolly in a similar story of transformation and unlikely friendship. The film captures Carole Lombard at the transition point between her early dramatic roles and the screwball comedy career that would make her a legend. As a pre-Code production, the film enjoys a frankness about its heroine’s profession and lifestyle that would have been impossible after the Production Code was strictly enforced later in 1934. The film’s portrayal of a chosen family — two unrelated women who become mother and daughter by mutual need and affection — was a remarkably progressive theme for its era. Through colorization, this charming pre-Code comedy is preserved for modern audiences who can appreciate its warm humor and genuine heart.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, professional AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 74 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 Lady by Choice a sequel to Lady for a Day?
A: Not officially, but it was designed as a companion piece, reuniting May Robson in a similar role as a lovable elderly character transformed by unexpected circumstances. Both films share themes of disguise, transformation, and the kindness of unlikely allies.

Q: Was Carole Lombard already famous when she made this?
A: Lombard was a rising star but had not yet achieved her greatest fame. Her breakout screwball comedies — Twentieth Century (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), and Nothing Sacred (1937) — were still ahead of her. Lady by Choice shows the comedic instincts that would soon make her Hollywood’s highest-paid actress.

Q: What is a fan dancer?
A: Fan dancing was a popular form of burlesque performance in the 1930s, made famous by dancer Sally Rand. Performers used large feathered fans in choreographed routines that created the illusion of partial nudity through strategic placement, straddling the line between artistry and titillation.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in HD 720p resolution, compatible with virtually all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
A: Yes, your purchase is completely DRM-free. You own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or recurring fees.

Q: How quickly will I receive the download?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment is confirmed. You can begin watching Lady by Choice (1934) Colorized within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Lady for a Day (1933)
• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• To Be or Not to Be (1942)
• It Happened One Night (1934)
• Bed of Roses (1933)