The Big Hangover (1950) in Color — Starring Van Johnson & Elizabeth Taylor

The Big Hangover (1950) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Big Hangover, Norman Krasna’s 1950 comedy starring Van Johnson and a young Elizabeth Taylor, 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

David Maldon (Van Johnson) is a bright, ambitious young law school graduate who has overcome wartime hardship to earn his degree and land a prestigious position at an elite law firm. There is just one problem — during the war, David was trapped in a flooded wine cellar during a bombing raid, and the experience left him with a bizarre, debilitating condition: the slightest exposure to alcohol, even the faintest whiff of cooking wine or a rum-flavored dessert, sends him into an instant, spectacular state of total inebriation that transforms the dignified young lawyer into a staggering, uninhibited spectacle who says and does exactly what enters his mind with no filter whatsoever.

This condition is manageable in most situations, but it becomes catastrophically relevant when David joins the prestigious law firm of John Belney (Leon Ames), whose beautiful, intelligent, and extremely strong-willed daughter Mary (Elizabeth Taylor) takes an immediate romantic interest in the new associate. Mary Belney is fascinated by David’s intelligence and charm, but his alcohol sensitivity creates one humiliating social disaster after another — at formal dinner parties, business luncheons, and society gatherings where wine flows as freely as conversation. David’s firm is simultaneously wrestling with an important discrimination case involving a Chinese-American family being denied housing in a restricted neighborhood, and the supposedly respectable partners’ resistance to taking the case forces David to confront the gap between the legal profession’s ideals and its actual practice. Elizabeth Taylor’s Mary proves to be far more than a decorative love interest — she is resourceful, determined, and fiercely supportive, engineering increasingly creative schemes to protect David from alcohol exposure while encouraging him to fight for the principles he believes in. The film artfully balances its screwball comedy situations with a surprisingly progressive social message about racial prejudice, building toward a resolution that addresses both David’s personal condition and the larger question of what justice truly requires.

Cast & Crew

Director: Norman Krasna

Stars: Van Johnson, Elizabeth Taylor, Leon Ames, Gene Lockhart, Percy Waram, Fay Holden, Edgar Buchanan, Selena Royle, Rosemary DeCamp, Philip Ahn

Van Johnson brings his considerable everyman appeal and natural comic timing to the role of David, creating a character whose genuine intelligence and decency make his alcohol-triggered transformations both hilarious and sympathetic. Elizabeth Taylor, still a teenager during filming, already radiates the extraordinary beauty and commanding screen presence that would define her legendary career, bringing surprising depth and determination to a role that goes well beyond conventional love interest. Leon Ames provides strong support as the conflicted patriarch torn between social conformity and genuine principles. Norman Krasna both wrote and directed, bringing a playwright’s ear for dialogue and a social conscience unusual for studio comedies of the era.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Big Hangover was originally filmed in black and white with the polished visual style characteristic of MGM studio productions. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to Elizabeth Taylor’s stunning wardrobe and legendary violet eyes, the gleaming mahogany elegance of the law firm offices, the sparkling crystal and white linen of society dinner parties, and the warm domestic settings where romance and comedy intertwine. The colorized version adds visual depth and atmospheric intensity to this restored classic film, enhancing both the glamorous social-comedy settings and the more intimate emotional moments between the leads. Now also available in colour.

Buy The Big Hangover in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1950 by MGM, The Big Hangover serves as a fascinating transitional film in Elizabeth Taylor’s career, capturing her emergence from teenage ingenue to full-fledged leading lady opposite an established star. The film is also notable for its surprisingly frank treatment of racial discrimination through its subplot about housing prejudice against Chinese-Americans, a progressive stance unusual for mainstream Hollywood comedy of the era. Norman Krasna’s screenplay balances entertainment with social commentary in a way that anticipates the more socially conscious comedies of later decades. Through colorization, this charming MGM comedy 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 82 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 Elizabeth Taylor film?
A: Yes, The Big Hangover features a teenage Elizabeth Taylor in one of her first leading roles, already displaying the extraordinary screen presence and beauty that would make her Hollywood’s greatest star.

Q: What causes David’s unusual reaction to alcohol?
A: During wartime, David was trapped in a flooded wine cellar during a bombing raid, and the trauma left him with a condition where even the slightest alcohol exposure triggers instant, spectacular inebriation.

Q: How does colorization enhance this comedy?
A: Colorization brings glamorous life to the MGM production values — the elegant society parties, Elizabeth Taylor’s stunning wardrobe, and the polished law firm settings — while adding warmth to the romantic comedy and emotional depth to the social commentary.

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

• Father of the Bride (1950)
• The Philadelphia Story (1940)
• Born Yesterday (1950)
• A Place in the Sun (1951)
• Miracle in the Rain (1956)