Little Miss Marker (1934) in Color — Starring Shirley Temple & Adolphe Menjou

Little Miss Marker (1934) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Little Miss Marker, Alexander Hall’s 1934 comedy starring Shirley Temple and Adolphe Menjou, now available as a professionally colorized version. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

A desperate, debt-ridden gambler brings his young daughter Marthy (Shirley Temple) to the seedy racetrack bookie joint operated by the gruff, cynical, and thoroughly hardened Sorrowful Jones (Adolphe Menjou), leaving the child as collateral — a living “marker” — to guarantee a bet he cannot afford. When the gambler does not return to claim his daughter, the bewildered Sorrowful suddenly finds himself the deeply reluctant, utterly unqualified guardian of an irrepressibly cheerful, boundlessly optimistic little girl who has absolutely no comprehension of the dark, dangerous, morally compromised world she has been abandoned in. The tough, world-weary bookie and his equally hardened associates — a colorful, Runyonesque collection of gamblers, racketeers, small-time crooks, and dance-hall girls who have spent their entire lives in the shadowy margins of society — are gradually, irresistibly, and hilariously disarmed by Marthy’s innocent charm, her unshakable faith in human goodness, and her absolute inability to see anything but the best in the questionable adults who have suddenly become her family. The child’s sunny disposition and genuine affection begin to transform the entire operation: hardened criminals soften, bitter rivals make peace, and the cynical Sorrowful discovers emotional depths he never dreamed he possessed. But Marthy’s presence also attracts the dangerous attention of Big Steve (Charles Bickford), Sorrowful’s ruthless rival, who recognizes the child as a useful pawn in his scheme to take over the gambling operation and who is willing to use any means — including threatening a little girl — to achieve his aims. As the tension between Sorrowful and Big Steve escalates to a violent confrontation, Sorrowful must decide whether to protect the child who has transformed his life at the cost of everything he has built in the underworld, risking his livelihood, his status, and his safety for a little girl who has given him something far more valuable than money: the discovery that he is capable of love. This classic movie is a brilliantly entertaining, deeply touching comedy-drama that launched Shirley Temple into permanent, legendary stardom.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alexander Hall

Stars: Shirley Temple, Adolphe Menjou, Dorothy Dell, Charles Bickford, Lynne Overman, Frank McGlynn Sr., Jack Sheehan, Garry Owen, Puggy White, Sam Hardy

Shirley Temple is an absolute phenomenon as Marthy, displaying at just six years old an extraordinary combination of natural screen charisma, impeccable comic timing, and genuine emotional warmth that made her instantly, permanently, and internationally beloved — her performance single-handedly launched the biggest child star career in the history of cinema and proved that a tiny girl could dominate scenes opposite the most sophisticated adult actors in Hollywood. Adolphe Menjou brings masterful, understated comic skill to the gruff Sorrowful, creating a beautifully calibrated performance in which the character’s defenses crumble so gradually and so convincingly that the audience barely notices the transformation until it is complete. Dorothy Dell is memorable and vibrant as the nightclub singer, and Charles Bickford adds genuine menace as the threatening Big Steve.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Little Miss Marker was originally filmed in black and white, its smoky gambling dens, bustling Depression-era streets, glittering nightclub interiors, and the radiant, expressive face of young Shirley Temple all captured in Paramount’s polished photography. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the neon-lit nightclub scenes, the warm golden tones of Marthy’s curls, the rich, atmospheric interiors of the gambling world, and the visual contrast between the seedy underworld and the child’s radiant innocence. The colorized version adds tremendous visual atmosphere to this restored classic film, creating a vivid Runyonesque world of color and shadow. Now also available in colour.

Buy Little Miss Marker in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Little Miss Marker was the film that catapulted six-year-old Shirley Temple from promising supporting player to the single biggest box-office draw in all of Hollywood — a position she would hold for an unprecedented four consecutive years. Based on a short story by the legendary Damon Runyon, whose colorful, witty portraits of Broadway’s underworld defined an entire literary genre, the film paired Temple with the sophisticated Adolphe Menjou and created an unlikely screen chemistry that audiences instantly adored. Dorothy Dell, who gives a vibrant, memorable performance as the nightclub singer, was tragically killed in a car accident shortly after filming, lending her appearance an additional poignancy. Through colorization, this landmark in the history of child stardom is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 80 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: How old was Shirley Temple in this film?
A: Temple was just six years old during filming and already displayed the extraordinary natural talent, charm, and screen presence that would make her the top box-office star in America for four consecutive years.

Q: Is this based on a Damon Runyon story?
A: Yes, Little Miss Marker is adapted from Damon Runyon’s famous short story, featuring his trademark colorful underworld characters, witty dialogue, and the blend of tough-guy cynicism and unexpected sentimentality that defined his unique literary style.

Q: How does colorization enhance this classic comedy?
A: Colorization brings vivid atmosphere to the Runyonesque world — the smoky gambling dens, the neon-lit nightclubs, the golden glow of Shirley Temple’s curls, and the warm, atmospheric Depression-era settings create a visually rich environment that perfectly complements the film’s blend of toughness and tenderness.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• Heidi (1937)
• A Christmas Carol (1938) in Color —
• Alice in Wonderland (1933)
• Passport to Pimlico (1949)
• Skippy (1931)