That Kind of Woman (1959) in Color — Starring Sophia Loren & Tab Hunter

That Kind of Woman (1959) — Buy This Classic in Color

That Kind of Woman is a 1959 American romantic drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Sophia Loren, Tab Hunter, Jack Warden, Barbara Nichols, and Keenan Wynn. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, the film follows a glamorous woman torn between a wealthy, powerful man who offers security and a young soldier who offers something far more dangerous: genuine love. With its sharp dialogue, elegant staging, and Lumet’s characteristic attention to character, it remains a fascinating entry in late-1950s Hollywood. Now presented in color, this underappreciated romance can be seen as never before. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

The story opens in New York City during the Second World War, where Kay (Sophia Loren) is a striking Italian-born woman living a life of luxury at the side of a wealthy businessman. She is accustomed to fine hotels, expensive clothing, and the attentions of powerful men. Yet beneath the surface glamour, Kay is restless and unfulfilled, aware that her position depends entirely on the generosity of others rather than on anything she has earned or chosen for herself.

At a hotel bar, Kay meets Red (Tab Hunter), a young American soldier on leave before shipping out. He is earnest, unpolished, and utterly unlike the sophisticated men who usually surround her. Their first encounter is casual, almost accidental, but there is an immediate spark. Red is drawn to her beauty and poise; Kay is drawn to his honesty and the sense that he sees her as a person rather than an ornament.

Kay’s wealthy companion, however, is not a man who lets go of what he considers his. He is used to arranging the world to suit himself, and he makes it clear that Kay’s place is beside him. The tension between the two men becomes a quiet battle over Kay’s future — one offering comfort and status, the other offering uncertainty and feeling. Kay finds herself caught between two very different versions of the life she might lead.

Red’s leave is brief, and the knowledge that he will soon be sent overseas gives their time together an urgency. They steal hours away from the hotel, walking the city, talking, and gradually revealing themselves to each other. Kay begins to imagine a life stripped of luxury but filled with something she has never quite had: a relationship built on mutual choice rather than arrangement.

Around them, a supporting cast of hotel guests, friends, and hangers-on adds texture and humor. Barbara Nichols, Jack Warden, and Keenan Wynn bring warmth and wit to the proceedings, while the ever-elegant George Sanders lends his unmistakable presence to the world Kay is being asked to leave behind. The film balances its romantic core with a wry observation of the social games people play.

As Red’s departure approaches, Kay must decide what she truly wants — and whether she has the courage to choose it. The film builds toward a moment of decision rather than spectacle, asking whether a woman defined by others can finally define herself. The ending answers the question the whole story has been circling: what kind of woman is Kay, really?

Cast & Crew

Director: Sidney Lumet
Stars: Sophia Loren, Tab Hunter, Jack Warden, Barbara Nichols, Keenan Wynn

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Watching That Kind of Woman in color transforms the experience of its world. The film is steeped in the textures of wartime New York — the sheen of evening gowns, the muted olive of military uniforms, the warm glow of hotel lobbies and the cool grey of city streets at dusk. A professional colourised restoration brings those textures forward, letting the costume design and set decoration read as they were intended: as part of the storytelling, not merely background. Sophia Loren’s wardrobe, in particular, gains a new dimension, with the fabrics and tones of her character’s glamorous life now visible in full. The restoration also reveals subtleties of lighting and composition that black and white could only suggest, deepening the intimacy of the film’s quieter scenes and sharpening the contrast between Kay’s two possible futures. None of this distracts from the performances — it serves them, allowing the actors’ expressions and the film’s carefully constructed atmosphere to land with greater clarity. If you have only ever seen this film in black and white, the colorized version is a genuinely fresh way to revisit it. Buy it today at €15.00 with instant DRM-free MP4 download.

Historical Significance

That Kind of Woman arrived in 1959 at a moment of transition in American cinema. The studio system was loosening its grip, and directors like Sidney Lumet were beginning to bring a more theatrical, character-driven sensibility to the screen. Lumet, who had come from live television and the stage, would go on to direct such landmark films as 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, and Network. That Kind of Woman belongs to his early period, and it shows a director already interested in the moral choices ordinary people make under pressure.

The film is also notable for its stars. Sophia Loren was at the height of her international fame, having become one of the most celebrated actresses in the world. Tab Hunter, a major box-office draw of the era, brought a youthful sincerity to the role of Red. Around them, a strong supporting cast — including Jack Warden, Barbara Nichols, Keenan Wynn, and George Sanders — gives the film a richness that rewards repeated viewing. The screenplay, adapted from a story by Robert Lowry, balances romance with a clear-eyed look at class, money, and the compromises people make.

Today, That Kind of Woman remains a compelling portrait of a woman navigating the limits placed on her by society and by the men who claim to love her. Its themes of independence and self-determination feel remarkably modern. For audiences who know Lumet only from his later, harder-edged work, this film offers a different side of him — romantic, observant, and quietly devastating. Colorization brings it to new audiences, allowing a new generation to discover a classic that deserves to be seen in color.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00 (token, rendered by the site)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Was That Kind of Woman originally released in color?
A: No. That Kind of Woman was shot in black and white and released that way in 1959. This page offers a later professional colorized restoration, not a studio colour release.

Q: Who directed That Kind of Woman, and who stars in it?
A: The film was directed by Sidney Lumet and stars Sophia Loren as Kay and Tab Hunter as Red, with supporting performances from Jack Warden, Barbara Nichols, Keenan Wynn, and George Sanders.

Q: What is the film about?
A: It is a romantic drama set during the Second World War, following a glamorous woman who must choose between a wealthy, controlling companion and a young soldier who offers genuine love.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play 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

• First Love (1939)
• The Howards of Virginia (1940)
• Love Story (1944)
• The Condemned of Altona (1962)
• The Wayward Bus (1957)