Rose of Washington Square (1939) in Color — Starring Tyrone Power & Alice Faye

Rose of Washington Square (1939) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Rose of Washington Square, Gregory Ratoff’s 1939 musical drama starring Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, and Al Jolson, now available as a professionally colorized version. This bittersweet backstage musical, so closely based on the life of legendary entertainer Fanny Brice that she sued the studio, captures the glittering energy of vaudeville and Broadway in the Roaring Twenties while telling a heartbreaking story of misplaced devotion. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Rose Nolan, played with extraordinary warmth and vocal power by Alice Faye, is a talented young singer struggling to make her name in the nightclubs and theaters of New York City during the exhilarating Roaring Twenties. She has the voice, the beauty, and the drive to become a star — all she needs is the right break and the right people around her. She gets the break through her own talent and determination. The people she chooses, however, will be her undoing.

Rose meets and falls hopelessly in love with Bart Clinton, played with devastating charm by Tyrone Power at his most magnetically handsome. Bart is everything Rose should avoid — a reckless con man, compulsive gambler, and professional charmer who lives by his wits, his smile, and other people’s money. He promises Rose the world with such convincing sincerity that she cannot see the truth that everyone around her can see plainly: Bart Clinton will break her heart and drain her dry.

Ted Lewis, played with gregarious energy by Al Jolson essentially performing as himself, is Rose’s loyal friend and fellow performer who watches the unfolding disaster with mounting alarm. Ted warns Rose repeatedly about Bart, tries to protect her from his worst schemes, and stands by her through every crisis — but he cannot compete with Bart’s hold on Rose’s heart.

As Rose’s career soars and she becomes one of Broadway’s brightest stars — commanding packed houses with showstopping performances of “My Man” and other classics — Bart continues to drag her down. He borrows her hard-earned money, squanders it on gambling, disappears for weeks at a time, returns with fresh promises and fresher debts, and gets into progressively worse trouble with increasingly dangerous people. Rose’s devotion blinds her to the destruction Bart is wreaking on her life and finances, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for a man who gives nothing back is both infuriating and deeply moving. When Bart’s criminal activities finally catch up with him and he faces prosecution, Rose must decide whether to stand by him one final time or finally choose herself.

Cast & Crew

Director: Gregory Ratoff

Stars: Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, Al Jolson, William Frawley, Joyce Compton, Hobart Cavanaugh

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Rose of Washington Square was originally photographed in black and white, capturing the glittering nightlife of 1920s New York. This professionally colorized restoration transforms every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the warm amber stage lights of Broadway theaters and the deep red curtains of speakeasy nightclubs to the elegant Art Deco interiors and fashionable costumes of the Roaring Twenties. Alice Faye’s stunning gowns come alive in color, and the musical performance sequences gain the visual excitement of a live theatrical experience. The contrast between the brightly lit glamour of Rose’s stage world and the shadowy, smoke-filled rooms where Bart conducts his schemes creates a visual metaphor for their relationship. The colorized version adds period richness to this restored classic film. Now also available in colour.

Buy Rose of Washington Square in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Rose of Washington Square was so closely based on the life of Fanny Brice — the legendary Broadway entertainer whose turbulent marriage to gambler Nicky Arnstein was one of the most famous love stories of the era — that Brice herself sued Twentieth Century Fox for invasion of privacy, eventually settling out of court. The same story would later be adapted into the smash hit musical Funny Girl, starring Barbra Streisand, who won an Oscar for the role. Al Jolson, the legendary “World’s Greatest Entertainer,” delivers several memorable musical numbers that showcase his extraordinary charisma, and Alice Faye’s performance of “My Man” is one of the most emotionally devastating musical moments in 1930s cinema. Tyrone Power demonstrated his range by playing against type as the charming but irredeemable Bart, proving he could embody a deeply flawed character with the same magnetism he brought to his heroic roles. Through colorization, this nostalgic musical drama finds a new audience who can experience the energy and heartbreak of Broadway’s golden age.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 86 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 really about Fanny Brice?
A: The film is widely understood to be based on Fanny Brice’s life and her troubled marriage to gambler Nicky Arnstein. Brice herself sued the studio over the unauthorized portrayal and eventually settled out of court.

Q: Does Al Jolson sing in this film?
A: Yes, Jolson performs several energetic musical numbers that showcase the legendary entertainer at his charismatic best, including crowd-pleasing renditions that bring down the house.

Q: Is this related to Funny Girl?
A: Yes, Rose of Washington Square tells essentially the same story later adapted into Funny Girl (1968) with Barbra Streisand. If you enjoy one, you will almost certainly love the other.

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

• Born to Dance (1936)
• Song of Love (1947)
• The Bride Wore Red (1937)
• June Night (1940)
• The Champ (1931)