The Gentleman from Epsom (1936) in Color — Starring Jean Gabin & Louis de Funès

The Gentleman from Epsom (1936) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Gentleman from Epsom, the 1936 comedy drama directed by Max Neufeld and starring Adolphe Menjou, now available as a professionally colorized version. The story takes place in the racecourses around Paris. A so-called major sells his tips to naive characters. This comedy drama combines the world of horse racing with satire of human gullibility, exploring themes of deception, ambition, and the perennial human desire to get something for nothing. Set against the backdrop of French racecourses, the film provides both entertainment and social commentary on the nature of confidence schemes and the people who fall for them. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

The story takes place in the racecourses around Paris. A so-called major sells his tips to naive characters. The “Major,” a confidence man operating in the glamorous world of Parisian horse racing, has built a reputation as an expert handicapper with inside information. In reality, his tips are based on nothing more than his ability to manipulate the hopes and greed of his victims.

The Major preys on naive characters who dream of winning big at the races. His clients include a cross-section of Parisian society—wealthy socialites looking for excitement, working-class people hoping for a life-changing win, and professional gamblers convinced that the Major has access to special knowledge. Each believes that the Major’s tips will give them an edge in the unpredictable world of horse racing.

As the Major’s schemes unfold, the film explores the psychology of both the con artist and his victims. The Major’s success depends on his ability to understand and exploit human weaknesses—the desire for easy money, the fear of missing out, the hope that this time will be different. Meanwhile, his victims’ willingness to believe in his supposed expertise reveals the universal human vulnerability to confidence schemes and the eternal appeal of the “sure thing.”

Cast & Crew

Director: Max Neufeld

Stars: Adolphe Menjou, Annabella, Fernand Gravey, Jacques Louvigny, Pierre Larquey

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Gentleman from Epsom was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the glamour of the Parisian racecourses and the comedy of the confidence scheme. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the elegant racecourses where the Major operates to the various Parisian locations where he meets his clients. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s settings, where the period-accurate 1930s French clothing, racecourse architecture, and Parisian street scenes gain authenticity that transports viewers to the world of French horse racing. Adolphe Menjou’s legendary screen presence gains additional dimension in color, his face conveying the charm and cunning of a confidence man who knows exactly how to manipulate his victims. Now also available in colour.

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

Historical Significance

Released in 1936, The Gentleman from Epsom represents the comedy drama genre of the 1930s and the career of Adolphe Menjou, one of Hollywood’s most versatile character actors. Menjou, known for his sophisticated style and his ability to play both heroes and villains, brought his considerable talents to the role of the Major, creating a character who was both charming and morally ambiguous. His performance captured the essence of the confidence man—charming, intelligent, and fundamentally dishonest.

The film’s setting in the world of French horse racing reflects the cinema’s fascination with European settings during the 1930s. Paris, with its reputation for sophistication and glamour, provided an ideal backdrop for stories of deception and high society. The racecourses, with their mix of wealthy patrons and hopeful gamblers, offered a perfect setting for exploring themes of greed, ambition, and human gullibility.

The film’s release during the 1930s, a period of economic hardship following the Great Depression, speaks to the era’s anxieties about money and the temptation of get-rich-quick schemes. The story of people desperate to believe in a “sure thing” resonated with audiences who had experienced economic uncertainty and understood the appeal of promises of easy wealth. Through modern colorization, this comedy drama reaches new audiences who can appreciate Adolphe Menjou’s performance, its satirical take on human gullibility, and its place in the history of 1930s cinema. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: French original mono
• Runtime: 85 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: Who stars in The Gentleman from Epsom?
A: Adolphe Menjou stars as the Major, with supporting performances by Annabella, Fernand Gravey, Jacques Louvigny, and Pierre Larquey.

Q: Is The Gentleman from Epsom set at horse racecourses?
A: Yes, the film is set around the racecourses of Paris, featuring the world of horse racing and confidence schemes.

Q: What is the plot of The Gentleman from Epsom?
A: A confidence man known as the Major sells fake horse racing tips to naive characters at Parisian racecourses, exploiting their desire to win.

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

• Above and Beyond (1953)
• The Shining Hour (1938)
• Storm Center (1956)
• The Manxman (1929)
• Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1950)