Polly of the Circus (1932) in Color — Starring Marion Davies & Clark Gable

Polly of the Circus (1932) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Polly of the Circus, the 1932 romantic comedy drama starring Clark Gable and Marion Davies, 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

Polly Fisher is a beautiful and talented trapeze artist who performs daring aerial acts high above the sawdust ring as the star attraction of a traveling circus. During a particularly dangerous performance, she suffers a serious fall and is badly injured, and the kindly circus manager arranges for her to be taken to the nearest available shelter — the modest home of Reverend John Doolittle, a young, earnest, and deeply principled minister in the small town where the circus is performing. As Polly slowly heals under the reverend’s gentle and compassionate care, the two fall deeply and unexpectedly in love despite the vast differences between their worlds — she from the colorful, rootless, slightly disreputable world of the traveling circus, he from the sober, respectable, tradition-bound world of the church. Their growing romance immediately scandalizes the conservative church community, whose leading members are horrified at the idea of their minister consorting with a circus performer. The disapproving bishop applies relentless pressure on John to choose between his sacred calling and his love for a woman the congregation considers entirely beneath him. Polly, watching the man she loves torn apart by the conflict and unwilling to be the cause of his professional ruin, makes the heartbreaking decision to leave him and return to the circus, hoping that her absence will restore his standing and save his career. But Reverend Doolittle discovers that a life spent in faithful service without love is no life at all, and that the courage to follow his heart may be the truest form of devotion. He must make a final decision about whether to live according to the narrow expectations of his congregation or the genuine calling of his own heart. This classic movie is a touching and surprisingly frank pre-Code romance about love crossing the rigid boundaries of class, respectability, and social convention.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alfred Santell

Stars: Clark Gable, Marion Davies, C. Aubrey Smith, Raymond Hatton, David Landau

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Polly of the Circus was originally filmed in black and white during the golden age of pre-Code Hollywood, when filmmakers could explore romantic and social themes with refreshing frankness. This professionally colorized restoration brings new vibrancy and visual excitement to every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the dazzling circus performances where acrobats swing through spotlit air above a sea of upturned faces, to the gaily decorated circus tents and wagons festooned with painted banners and bunting, to the quiet, wood-paneled rectory where an unlikely romance blossoms between two people from impossibly different worlds. The colorization creates a vivid and meaningful visual contrast between the vibrant, kaleidoscopic world of the circus — all bright reds, golds, and primary colors of costumes, banners, and painted sets — and the somber, muted earth tones of the church and parish setting where propriety reigns supreme. Period details come alive in rich color, from the sequined circus costumes to the dark ministerial robes, adding visual warmth and emotional dimension that perfectly complement this restored classic film. Now also available in colour.

Buy Polly of the Circus in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1932, Polly of the Circus paired the rapidly rising Clark Gable with Marion Davies, one of the era’s biggest and most versatile stars and the longtime companion of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, whose considerable media empire actively promoted her career. The film was based on a popular stage play by Margaret Mayo that had been a major Broadway success in 1907, and its story of forbidden love between a circus performer and a clergyman had resonated with audiences for a quarter century before reaching the screen. The production gave Gable one of his earliest prominent leading roles during the critical period when he was ascending from supporting player to major stardom at MGM, and his natural charisma and screen presence are already fully evident. Davies, often unfairly remembered primarily for her association with Hearst, demonstrates genuine comedic talent and emotional warmth in a performance that reminds modern viewers of what a skilled and likeable actress she truly was. As a pre-Code production, the film addresses the conflict between personal desire and institutional authority with a frankness that would have been impossible after the enforcement of the Production Code in 1934. Through modern colorization, this charming and historically significant early Gable romance reaches new audiences who can appreciate both its star power and its timeless story of love versus convention.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 72 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 Clark Gable film?
A: Yes, this was made during the exciting period when Gable was rapidly rising to major stardom at MGM, just before he became the undisputed ‘King of Hollywood.’ His natural magnetism and commanding screen presence are already fully on display in this early leading role.

Q: Are there actual circus scenes?
A: Yes, the film features exciting and visually spectacular trapeze and circus performance sequences alongside the romantic drama of the central love story, creating a contrast between the thrilling world of the big top and the quiet life of the parish.

Q: Who is Marion Davies?
A: Marion Davies was one of the biggest stars of the late silent and early sound era, a talented comedienne and dramatic actress whose career has been somewhat overshadowed by her famous relationship with newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. In Polly of the Circus, she demonstrates the genuine charm and emotional warmth that made her one of the most popular actresses of her time.

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

• Ladies of Leisure (1930)
• The Champ (1931)
• Conquest (1937)
• Unfaithfully Yours (1948)
• The Valley of Decision (1945)