Penthouse (1933) in Color — Starring Warner Baxter & Myrna Loy

Penthouse (1933) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Penthouse, the 1933 crime mystery starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, 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

Jackson Durant is a brilliant but disillusioned attorney who quits his prestigious Manhattan law firm after failing to secure an acquittal for a gangster client, exhausted by the moral compromises required to defend criminals he knows are guilty. Retreating from the legal world entirely, Jackson settles into an aimless existence in his lavish penthouse apartment, drowning his disillusionment in cocktails and cynicism. But when his former associates at the firm conspire to frame an innocent man named Tom Siddall for the murder of a rival gangster — using fabricated evidence and manipulated witnesses to cover their own criminal dealings — Jackson is drawn reluctantly back into action by his sense of justice. He teams up with Gertie Waxted, a quick-witted, street-smart young woman with deep connections to the criminal underworld who knows where the bodies are buried, both figuratively and literally. Together they navigate a dangerous labyrinth of smoky speakeasies, glittering nightclubs, and the offices of corrupt officials as they work to untangle the web of lies and expose the truth behind the killing. Their investigation takes them from the penthouse apartments of Manhattan’s elite to the back rooms of waterfront dives, encountering increasingly dangerous adversaries who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. As Jackson and Gertie draw closer to identifying the real murderer and the conspiracy that protects him, their professional partnership evolves into a genuine and surprising romance amid the constant danger. With time running out before an innocent man is sent to the electric chair, Jackson must use every legal trick and bit of underworld knowledge he possesses to bring the real killers to justice. This classic movie is a sparkling pre-Code blend of crime, comedy, and romance that showcases the wit and sophistication that defined the best Hollywood entertainment of the early 1930s.

Cast & Crew

Director: W.S. Van Dyke

Stars: Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy, Charles Butterworth, Mae Clarke, Phillips Holmes, Nat Pendleton

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Penthouse was originally filmed in black and white, capturing the glamour and grit of pre-Code Manhattan with stylish, atmospheric cinematography that perfectly evoked the world of speakeasies and penthouses. This professionally colorized restoration brings new sparkle and visual dimension to every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the opulent penthouse apartments with their art deco furnishings, gleaming marble floors, and panoramic city views, to the smoky, dimly lit nightclub interiors where jazz musicians play and criminals conduct their business in shadowy corners. The colorization reveals rich details in the women’s elegant evening gowns and furs, the men’s impeccably tailored suits, and the ornate decor of Manhattan’s most exclusive establishments. Street scenes come alive with the neon glow of Broadway signs, the warm light spilling from restaurant windows, and the deep shadows of rain-slicked alleyways. The colorized version preserves the witty banter, crackling chemistry between Baxter and Loy, and the suspenseful atmosphere of the original while adding visual elegance that enhances every glamorous and dangerous moment in this restored classic film. Now also available in colour.

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

Historical Significance

Released in 1933 during the height of the pre-Code era, Penthouse was directed by the prolific and remarkably efficient W.S. Van Dyke, known in Hollywood as “One-Take Woody” for his rapid shooting style that nonetheless produced consistently entertaining and polished films. The film holds particular significance in cinema history for showcasing Myrna Loy in exactly the kind of witty, sophisticated, and independent female role that would make her one of Hollywood’s biggest stars just one year later when Van Dyke cast her opposite William Powell in The Thin Man. In many ways, Penthouse served as a rehearsal for that landmark pairing, with Loy demonstrating the effortless charm, sharp comedic timing, and intelligence that would define her screen persona for decades. The film’s pre-Code frankness allowed it to depict the criminal underworld, romantic relationships, and morally complex characters with a candor and sophistication that would be impossible after the strict enforcement of the Production Code beginning in 1934. Warner Baxter, fresh from his Academy Award win for In Old Arizona, brought leading-man charisma and believable world-weariness to the role of the disillusioned lawyer. Through modern colorization, this entertaining and historically significant crime mystery reaches new audiences who can enjoy its sharp dialogue, glamorous style, and the early brilliance of one of classic Hollywood’s greatest actresses.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 90 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 Penthouse related to The Thin Man series?
A: While not directly related, the film features Myrna Loy in a similar witty, sophisticated role that director W.S. Van Dyke would develop further when he cast her opposite William Powell in The Thin Man the following year. Many film historians consider Penthouse an important stepping stone toward that iconic pairing.

Q: What makes this a pre-Code film?
A: Made before the strict enforcement of the Production Code in 1934, the film features frank and unapologetic depictions of the criminal underworld, romantic relationships outside of marriage, alcohol consumption during Prohibition, and morally complex characters who operate in shades of gray rather than simple right and wrong.

Q: Who is Warner Baxter?
A: Warner Baxter was one of the biggest stars of early Hollywood, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for In Old Arizona in 1929. In Penthouse, he brings charisma and world-weary intelligence to the role of a disillusioned lawyer who rediscovers his purpose through an unlikely partnership.

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

• This Gun for Hire (1942)
• Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936)
• The Scarlet Clue (1945)
• The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance (1941)
• The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake (1959)