The Big Broadcast (1932) in Color — Starring Bing Crosby & George Burns

The Big Broadcast (1932) – Buy This Classic Musical Comedy in Color

Experience the star-studded The Big Broadcast (1932) in stunning colorized HD. Directed by Frank Tuttle, this groundbreaking musical comedy stars Stuart Erwin as a Texas millionaire who saves a struggling radio station and Bing Crosby (in his first major film role) as a crooner whose romantic troubles threaten to derail the biggest broadcast in the station’s history. Packed with performances by the biggest names in early 1930s entertainment — including Burns and Allen, the Boswell Sisters, Cab Calloway and His Orchestra, Kate Smith, the Mills Brothers, and Arthur Tracy (the Street Singer) — this is a time capsule of Depression-era popular culture, a film that captures the excitement and glamour of radio’s golden age while showcasing the performers who defined American entertainment during one of the nation’s most difficult periods. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

Bing Crosby plays a version of himself — a popular radio crooner whose talent is matched only by his irresponsibility. His chronic tardiness, his romantic complications, and his cavalier attitude toward his professional commitments have driven the radio station’s management to the brink of despair. When Crosby fails to show up for yet another broadcast, the station faces a crisis that threatens its very existence.

Enter Leslie McWhinney (Stuart Erwin), a naive but good-hearted Texas millionaire who arrives in New York starstruck and eager to experience the glamorous world of radio broadcasting. Leslie is particularly smitten with Anita Rogers (Leila Hyams), who happens to be the woman causing Crosby’s romantic turmoil. Through a series of comic misunderstandings and manic complications typical of early 1930s screwball comedy, Leslie finds himself investing his fortune in the station and promising to deliver the biggest broadcast extravaganza the airwaves have ever seen.

The challenge: assembling all the station’s top performers — each of whom has their own eccentric demands, romantic complications, and scheduling impossibilities — for a single spectacular evening broadcast. Burns and Allen provide chaos disguised as assistance. Cab Calloway and his orchestra deliver sizzling performances. The Boswell Sisters harmonise brilliantly. Kate Smith brings her extraordinary voice. And through it all, Leslie must navigate his hopeless infatuation with Anita while somehow getting the irresponsible Crosby to the microphone on time.

The film builds toward the climactic Big Broadcast itself — a magnificent showcase of talent that represents everything wonderful about Radio Age entertainment, where the voices, music, and personalities that Americans heard through the magical box in their living rooms are finally seen in their full visual glory.

Cast & Crew

Director: Frank Tuttle
Stars: Bing Crosby, Stuart Erwin, Leila Hyams, Burns and Allen, Sharon Lynn, the Boswell Sisters, Cab Calloway, Kate Smith, the Mills Brothers, Arthur Tracy, Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra

Bing Crosby — in the film role that launched his extraordinary movie career — is effortlessly charming even playing an irresponsible version of himself. Stuart Erwin provides endearing comic warmth as the fish-out-of-water millionaire, and Burns and Allen steal every scene they occupy with their legendary comic timing.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The glamorous world of 1930s radio — the art deco studios, the gleaming microphones, the elegant evening wear of the performers, the theatrical lighting of the broadcast stage — is beautifully enhanced through expert colorization. Cab Calloway’s explosive stage performances, the Boswell Sisters’ sophisticated jazz harmonies, and the sheer visual spectacle of the climactic broadcast all gain extraordinary new energy in full colour. The period fashions, the distinctive 1930s set designs, and the warm atmosphere of Depression-era show business are rendered with loving detail. Now also available in colour. Own this priceless time capsule for just €15.00 — where the golden age of radio comes alive.

Historical Significance

The Big Broadcast launched Paramount’s highly profitable “Big Broadcast” series and, more importantly, launched Bing Crosby’s film career — he would go on to become the biggest box-office star of the 1940s and one of the best-selling recording artists in history. The film is an invaluable document of early 1930s popular entertainment, preserving performances by artists whose radio work was, by definition, ephemeral. Cab Calloway’s electrifying performances capture the energy of Harlem’s Cotton Club on film. The Boswell Sisters’ jazz harmonies, Burns and Allen’s comic genius, and Kate Smith’s powerful voice are all preserved in their prime. The film also documents the cultural significance of radio during the Depression — when it served as the nation’s primary source of entertainment, information, and community, bringing the world into living rooms across America. Through colorization, this irreplaceable record of entertainment history has been preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 78 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this really Bing Crosby’s first major film?
A: Yes — while Crosby had made short films previously, The Big Broadcast was his first significant feature film role, and it launched one of the most successful movie careers in Hollywood history.

Q: Are the musical performances good?
A: Outstanding — the film captures some of the biggest stars of the early 1930s at the peak of their powers, including Cab Calloway, Burns and Allen, the Boswell Sisters, and Kate Smith in performances that are irreplaceable historical documents.

Q: Is this mainly a musical or a comedy?
A: Both — the comic plot involving Stuart Erwin’s millionaire and Bing Crosby’s romantic troubles provides the framework, but the musical performances are the film’s greatest treasure.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
• Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
• The Country Girl (1954)
• Road to Utopia (1946)
• The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)