Lady Killer (1933) in Color — Starring James Cagney & Mae Clarke

Lady Killer (1933) — Buy This Classic in Color

Revel in the breakneck energy of Lady Killer (1933), now available to buy as a professionally colorized version. Starring James Cagney at his most dynamic alongside Mae Clarke and Margaret Lindsay, this classic film is a wildly entertaining pre-Code comedy-crime picture about a small-time crook who accidentally becomes a Hollywood movie star — and then has to deal with his old gang showing up to crash the party. Originally released in black and white, this restored comedy has been carefully enhanced through frame-by-frame HD colorization. Download your instant, DRM-free copy today for just €15.00 and watch Cagney at his most electrifying in color.

Plot Summary

Dan Quigley is a fast-talking movie theater usher who loses his job and falls in with a gang of small-time crooks. Dan’s quick wit and natural charm make him useful to the gang, but a botched job forces him to flee New York in a hurry. He heads to Hollywood, where he talks his way into work as a movie extra.

Dan’s aggressive energy and magnetic screen presence catch the attention of the studios, and to everyone’s astonishment — including his own — he rises rapidly from extra to bit player to leading man. Dan becomes a genuine movie star, living the glamorous Hollywood life and romancing a beautiful actress. He reinvents himself completely, burying his criminal past under a polished new identity.

But his old gang, led by the ruthless Lois, tracks him down. They see Dan’s new wealth and fame as an opportunity, and they have no intention of letting him walk away from his former life. Dan must figure out how to protect his new career and the woman he loves without letting Hollywood discover that its biggest star used to be a two-bit hood from the wrong side of the tracks. This classic movie packs more plot, energy, and Cagney charisma into its compact running time than most films manage in twice the length.

Cast & Crew

• Starring: James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Margaret Lindsay, Leslie Fenton, Douglass Dumbrille
• Director: Roy Del Ruth
• Runtime: 74 minutes
• Year: 1933
• Rated: Not Rated
• Genre: Comedy, Crime
• Country: USA

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized and restored version brings dazzling new life to Cagney’s most freewheeling performance. The colorization process reveals the glittering contrast between New York’s gritty underworld and Hollywood’s sun-drenched glamour in vivid, period-accurate tones. Cagney’s transformation from street tough to movie star is made even more visually striking in color — the cheap suits of his criminal days giving way to Hollywood tailoring and tan. Mae Clarke’s tough, streetwise beauty and Margaret Lindsay’s polished elegance provide visual counterpoints, while the film sets and movie studio backlots of early 1930s Hollywood are brought to atmospheric life. 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

Lady Killer is one of the most entertaining and revealing films of the pre-Code era, combining Cagney’s explosive physical energy with a Hollywood satire that gleefully exposed the absurdities of the studio system. Made in 1933 before the strict enforcement of the Production Code, the film features a notorious scene in which Cagney drags Mae Clarke by her hair — a shocking moment even by pre-Code standards that demonstrated the era’s willingness to depict raw, unglamorous male aggression. The film was part of Cagney’s remarkable run at Warner Bros. in the early 1930s, during which he made as many as seven films a year, each one crackling with the restless intelligence and physical dynamism that made him unlike any other star in Hollywood. Director Roy Del Ruth kept the pace furiously fast, and the film’s satirical portrait of Hollywood — where a gangster can become a star simply because the camera loves his face — was both affectionate and genuinely biting.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1933)
• Colorized: Frame-by-frame HD colorization
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 74 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 Lady Killer about?
A small-time crook flees to Hollywood and accidentally becomes a movie star, only to have his old gang show up threatening to expose his criminal past and destroy his new life.

Q: Is this a typical James Cagney film?
It combines Cagney’s trademark energy and toughness with comedy and Hollywood satire, making it one of his most entertaining and varied early performances.

Q: Is this a pre-Code film?
Yes, made before the strict enforcement of the Production Code. Its frank treatment of crime, violence, and its satirical jabs at Hollywood reflect the creative freedom of the early 1930s.

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

• Bob le Flambeur (1956)
• The Secret Six (1931)
• Champagne (1928)
• Love Is Better Than Ever (1952)
• Tugboat Annie (1933)