The Big Street (1942) in Color — Starring Henry Fonda & Lucille Ball

The Big Street (1942) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Big Street, Irving Reis’s 1942 dramatic gem starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, 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

On the colorful, teeming streets of New York City’s Broadway district, Augustus “Little Pinks” Pinkerton (Henry Fonda) is a meek, self-effacing busboy at a nightclub who harbors a deep, unwavering, and painfully unrequited devotion to Gloria Lyons (Lucille Ball), a beautiful, ambitious, and ruthlessly self-centered nightclub singer whose sights are set firmly on escaping her humble origins through wealthy men and social climbing. Gloria treats Little Pinks with casual cruelty, barely acknowledging his existence except when she needs something, yet his love for her remains steadfast, selfless, and absolute — a devotion that puzzles and sometimes embarrasses his fellow Broadway denizens.

When Gloria is violently pushed down a flight of stairs by her jealous gangster boyfriend Case Ables (Barton MacLane), she suffers a devastating spinal injury that leaves her paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. Abandoned by her wealthy admirers, her glamorous social circle, and even Case himself once her beauty is no longer currency, Gloria is left destitute, bitter, and consumed by rage at her fallen circumstances. It is Little Pinks — the one person she always dismissed and belittled — who devotes himself entirely to her care. He tends to her every need with extraordinary patience and gentleness, raising money from the sympathetic Broadway community of busboys, waiters, chorus girls, and small-time performers, and eventually conceives a desperate, heartbreaking plan to fulfill Gloria’s dream of attending a grand society ball in Miami Beach. Little Pinks wheels Gloria the entire distance from New York to Florida — an incredible, grueling journey that becomes a testament to the power of selfless, unconditional love. Based on Damon Runyon’s short story “Little Pinks,” the film explores what happens when the most devoted love imaginable is met with a heart too damaged and too proud to accept it, building toward an emotionally devastating conclusion that refuses easy sentimentality.

Cast & Crew

Director: Irving Reis

Stars: Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Barton MacLane, Eugene Pallette, Agnes Moorehead, Sam Levene, Ray Collins, Marion Martin, Vera Gordon, Ozzie Nelson

Henry Fonda delivers one of the most quietly heartbreaking performances of his career as Little Pinks, investing the character with such genuine sweetness, dignity, and unshakeable devotion that his selfless love becomes deeply moving rather than pathetic. Lucille Ball, in a rare dramatic role far removed from her beloved comedic persona, is striking and fearless as Gloria, playing a genuinely unsympathetic woman whose cruelty and self-absorption make the film’s emotional power all the more complex. Agnes Moorehead contributes a sharp, vivid supporting performance, while the ensemble of Broadway character actors brings Damon Runyon’s colorful world to authentic life. Irving Reis directs with a sensitivity that balances the story’s sentiment with genuine emotional honesty.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Big Street was originally filmed in black and white, capturing New York’s Broadway milieu in studio-crafted detail. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the neon-lit Broadway nightclubs, the warm golden glow of bustling city restaurants, the elegant pastel splendor of Miami Beach society, and the diverse wardrobe colors that distinguish each character in Runyon’s theatrical world. The colorized version adds visual depth and emotional warmth to this restored classic film, bringing the vibrant contrast between Broadway’s gritty streets and Miami’s glamorous society to vivid, atmospheric life. Now also available in colour.

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

Historical Significance

Based on Damon Runyon’s short story “Little Pinks,” The Big Street holds a unique place in film history as one of the most emotionally raw and unsentimental examinations of unrequited love in classic Hollywood cinema. The film is particularly significant for showcasing Lucille Ball’s dramatic range in a period before her television comedy career defined her public image — her fierce, unapologetic performance as Gloria is widely considered one of her finest dramatic achievements. Henry Fonda’s performance has been cited by critics as one of the most understated and moving of the Golden Age. Through colorization, this powerful drama 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 88 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 The Big Street based on a Damon Runyon story?
A: Yes, the film is adapted from Damon Runyon’s short story “Little Pinks,” showcasing Runyon’s signature blend of Broadway characters, colorful slang, and surprisingly deep emotional currents beneath the humor.

Q: Is this a rare dramatic role for Lucille Ball?
A: Yes, The Big Street features one of Lucille Ball’s most powerful dramatic performances, made years before her iconic comedy career on I Love Lucy. Critics consider it among her finest screen work.

Q: How does colorization enhance this drama?
A: Colorization brings visual warmth and atmosphere to the New York Broadway settings and Miami Beach society scenes, adding emotional depth to the contrast between Little Pinks’s humble world and Gloria’s glamorous aspirations.

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

• The Dirty Game (1965)
• Stella Dallas (1937)
• The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
• Dark Victory (1939)
• Of Human Bondage (1934)