Parachute Jumper (1933) in Color — Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. & Bette Davis

Parachute Jumper (1933) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Parachute Jumper, the 1933 pre-Code drama starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and a young Bette Davis, now available as a professionally colorized version. This fast-paced Depression-era adventure follows two unemployed ex-Marine pilots and their resourceful female companion as they stumble from honest desperation into the dangerous world of narcotics smuggling. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

During the depths of the Great Depression, unemployed ex-Marine pilots Bill Keller and Toodles Cooper arrive in New York City desperate for any kind of honest work. Despite their military training and flying skills, the collapsed economy offers them nothing but closed doors and empty pockets. They team up with Alabama, a witty and quick-thinking young woman who is equally broke and determined to survive, and together the trio bounces from one absurd odd job to the next — dog walking for wealthy eccentrics, driving taxis through chaotic Manhattan traffic, and taking any menial work they can find just to keep eating.

When Bill is offered a suspiciously well-paying position as a bodyguard and personal pilot for the smooth-talking and impeccably dressed Mr. Weber, he jumps at the opportunity without asking too many questions, seduced by the promise of a steady paycheck and a return to the cockpit. But Bill soon discovers that Weber is a notorious narcotics smuggler who uses his private pilot to fly illegal cargo across the Canadian border under cover of darkness. Each flight draws Bill deeper into Weber’s criminal enterprise, and when Alabama and Toodles are also pulled into the operation, the stakes rise dangerously. Caught between grinding poverty on one side and federal prosecution on the other, Bill must find a way to extract himself and his friends from Weber’s clutches before their luck runs out and the law closes in — or before Weber decides they know too much to be allowed to walk away.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alfred E. Green

Stars: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Bette Davis, Frank McHugh, Leo Carrillo, Claire Dodd

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Parachute Jumper was originally filmed in black and white, capturing the gritty realism of Depression-era New York with the unflinching frankness that defined pre-Code Hollywood. This professionally colorized restoration brings new life to every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the bustling grey cityscape of 1930s Manhattan — its crowded tenements and gleaming skyscrapers — to the thrilling aerial sequences filmed against open skies. The colorized version reveals the dramatic contrast between the drab poverty of Bill and Alabama’s cramped boarding house rooms and the luxurious surroundings of Weber’s criminal empire, with its polished mahogany offices and expensive tailored suits. The nighttime smuggling flights gain new tension in color, with the dark greens and blacks of the forested border landscape rushing past beneath the aircraft’s wings. Now also available in colour.

Buy Parachute Jumper in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1933, Parachute Jumper features a young Bette Davis during her early years at Warner Bros., before the breakthrough performances in Of Human Bondage and Dangerous that would establish her as one of the greatest actresses in cinema history. While Davis was still fighting for the meaty dramatic roles she craved, her natural charisma and sharp comic timing shine through even in this supporting part, hinting at the formidable talent waiting to be unleashed. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., carrying the film with his father’s athletic charm and his own modern sophistication, proved himself a versatile leading man perfectly suited to the fast-talking energy of early 1930s cinema. Director Alfred E. Green, a prolific Warner Bros. craftsman who would later direct Davis in her Oscar-winning performance in Dangerous, kept the pace brisk and the action exciting. As a pre-Code production, the film tackled narcotics smuggling, economic desperation, and morally ambiguous characters with a bluntness that would become impossible after the strict enforcement of the Production Code in 1934. Frank McHugh provided his trademark comic relief as the loyal Toodles, while Leo Carrillo brought oily menace to the role of the debonair drug lord Weber. Through modern colorization, this fast-paced Depression-era adventure reaches new audiences who can appreciate its historical significance and the early work of two of Hollywood’s most iconic stars.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 65 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 this an early Bette Davis film?
A: Yes, Parachute Jumper was made during Davis’s early years at Warner Bros., well before her breakthrough in Of Human Bondage and her first Academy Award for Dangerous, but her natural talent is already unmistakable.

Q: What makes this a pre-Code film?
A: Made before the strict enforcement of the Production Code in 1934, the film features frank depictions of drug smuggling, economic desperation, and morally complex characters that would have been censored just a year later.

Q: Does the film have aerial sequences?
A: Yes, the flying scenes are a highlight of the film, showcasing thrilling aerial photography as Bill pilots smuggling runs across the border.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file that plays on virtually any device.

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

• The Bride Wore Red (1937)
• The Champ (1931)
• City for Conquest (1940)
• June Night (1940)
• Out of the Fog (1962)