That Certain Woman (1937) in Color — Starring Bette Davis & Henry Fonda

That Certain Woman (1937) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover That Certain Woman, Edmund Goulding’s powerful 1937 romantic melodrama starring Bette Davis and Henry Fonda, 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

Mary Donnell (Bette Davis) carries a devastating secret that threatens to destroy every chance at happiness she desperately seeks — she was once briefly married to a notorious gangster who was killed shortly after their wedding, leaving her permanently tainted by scandal and suspicion in the eyes of respectable society. Working as a devoted, discreet secretary to a distinguished, kindly older lawyer named Lloyd Rogers (Ian Hunter) who genuinely cares for her welfare, Mary tries to rebuild her life quietly and respectably, hoping the past will stay buried forever. But when she impulsively marries charming, wealthy young socialite Jack Merrick (Henry Fonda) during a passionate, rain-soaked night, her carefully constructed new identity begins to crumble under the relentless pressure of his domineering, controlling father who considers Mary utterly beneath his family’s social station. The elder Merrick ruthlessly forces an annulment, tearing the young couple apart before Mary can reveal she is carrying Jack’s child. Alone, ostracized, and determined to protect her baby from the vicious scandal that would engulf them both, Mary raises her son in secret with quiet, fierce determination, sacrificing her own happiness and romantic possibilities to shield the child from the poisonous gossip that follows her everywhere. Years pass, loyalties shift, and devastating revelations force every character to confront the consequences of pride, prejudice, and cowardice, while Mary’s unwavering strength and maternal devotion are tested by circumstances that would break a lesser woman. This classic movie showcases Bette Davis at the height of her extraordinary dramatic powers in one of Hollywood’s most emotionally devastating pre-war melodramas.

Cast & Crew

Director: Edmund Goulding

Stars: Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, Anita Louise, Ian Hunter, Donald Crisp, Hugh O’Connell, Katharine Alexander, Mary Philips, Minor Watson, Sidney Toler

Bette Davis delivers a searing, emotionally complex performance as Mary, bringing fierce intelligence, quiet strength, and devastating vulnerability to a woman who refuses to be defeated by the cruel social conventions that conspire against her at every turn. Henry Fonda brings his trademark naturalism and decency to the conflicted Jack Merrick, a young man torn between genuine love and crushing family obligation. Ian Hunter provides quiet dignity and warmth as the devoted lawyer whose unrequited love for Mary adds another layer of emotional complexity to this rich, deeply felt story.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

That Certain Woman was originally filmed in black and white during the golden age of Warner Bros. dramatic filmmaking. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the elegant 1930s costumes, the luxurious high-society interiors, the intimate office scenes, and the emotionally charged confrontations that drive this powerful story of love, sacrifice, and social injustice. The colorized version adds remarkable visual warmth and atmospheric richness to this restored classic film, enhancing every nuance of Davis’s legendary performance. Now also available in colour.

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

Historical Significance

That Certain Woman arrived during Bette Davis’s extraordinary rise to become Warner Bros.’ most powerful dramatic actress, a period when she was churning out acclaimed performances at a remarkable pace. Edmund Goulding’s direction brings subtle emotional intelligence to this adaptation of his own earlier silent film The Trespasser (1929), and the pairing of Davis with the young, charismatic Henry Fonda created electrifying screen chemistry that audiences found irresistible. The film exemplifies Hollywood’s “woman’s picture” genre at its finest, treating themes of maternal sacrifice, social hypocrisy, and female resilience with genuine dramatic weight and emotional complexity. Through colorization, this landmark Bette Davis melodrama 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 93 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 That Certain Woman based on an earlier film?
A: Yes, director Edmund Goulding adapted it from his own 1929 silent film The Trespasser, which starred Gloria Swanson. The 1937 version benefits enormously from Bette Davis’s more layered, dramatically powerful interpretation of the central role.

Q: What makes Bette Davis’s performance so compelling?
A: Davis brings fierce intelligence, quiet dignity, and devastating emotional depth to Mary, a woman battling social prejudice and family cruelty while fiercely protecting her child. Her ability to convey complex inner turmoil through subtle expression makes this one of her finest early performances.

Q: How does colorization enhance this romantic melodrama?
A: Colorization brings visual richness to the elegant 1930s fashions, luxurious interiors, and intimate dramatic scenes, adding warmth and atmosphere that deepen the emotional impact of Davis’s tour-de-force performance and the film’s themes of love and sacrifice.

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

• Dark Victory (1939)
• Jezebel (1938)
• Now, Voyager (1942)
• Of Human Bondage (1934)
• The Old Maid (1939)