The Match King (1932) in Color — Starring Warren William & Lili Damita

The Match King (1932) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the riveting Pre-Code drama The Match King (1932) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by Howard Bretherton and William Keighley, this boldly entertaining Warner Bros. production stars Warren William in one of his most commanding performances as a ruthless, charismatic swindler who builds a worldwide financial empire from match manufacturing — amassing billions through fraud, stock manipulation, and sheer force of personality until his house of cards comes crashing down. Based on the real-life story of Swedish ‘Match King’ Ivar Kreuger. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

Paul Kroll (Warren William) is a penniless but brilliantly cunning Swedish immigrant who arrives in Chicago with nothing but ambition and an absolute absence of moral scruple. Starting as a humble street sweeper, Kroll observes that everyone needs matches, and he schemes his way into the match manufacturing business through a combination of shrewd dealing, brazen bluffing, and manipulating people who underestimate his ruthless intelligence.

From this modest beginning, Kroll builds a financial empire of staggering proportions. He secures monopoly contracts on match production across entire nations by lending enormous sums to desperate governments — money he raises through fraudulent stock offerings and an elaborate pyramid of fictional assets. He becomes one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world, hobnobbing with kings and prime ministers, collecting priceless art, maintaining a string of beautiful mistresses, and projecting an image of unassailable financial genius.

But beneath the magnificent facade, Kroll’s empire is built entirely on fraud. Each new loan is financed by money borrowed against the previous one. His stock certificates are backed by nothing. His financial statements are elaborate works of fiction. And as the global economy begins to tighten, the pyramid starts to tremble. Creditors demand payment, auditors ask uncomfortable questions, and governments discover that the monopoly contracts Kroll sold to investors were forged. The film follows Kroll’s spectacular rise and catastrophic fall with the unflinching, cynical energy that defines the best Pre-Code Hollywood cinema — admiring his audacity while never flinching from the devastation his fraud causes to ordinary investors who trusted him.

Cast & Crew

Director: Howard Bretherton, William Keighley
Stars: Warren William is magnificent as Paul Kroll, delivering a bravura performance of charismatic villainy — smooth, confident, utterly amoral, and yet strangely fascinating even as his schemes destroy lives. Lili Damita brings Continental glamour as his primary romantic interest, Glenda Farrell adds sharp Pre-Code wit, and Claire Dodd, Harold Huber, and John Wray provide colourful support.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s lavish Depression-era settings with era-accurate hues. The opulent boardrooms, extravagant mansions, gleaming art collections, and the stark contrast between Kroll’s manufactured luxury and the poverty of those he swindles gain powerful visual depth through careful colour restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Released in 1932, The Match King is a thinly fictionalized account of Ivar Kreuger, the real Swedish financier whose match monopoly empire collapsed spectacularly in 1932, revealing one of the largest frauds in financial history. Made during the raw, uncensored Pre-Code era, the film presents its protagonist’s amorality with a frankness impossible just two years later. Warren William’s performance is the definitive Pre-Code anti-hero — charming, brilliant, and utterly conscienceless. Through colorization, this essential Pre-Code classic is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — professionally restored frame-by-frame
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: 79 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play anywhere, keep forever
• Instant download: Yes — available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this based on a true story?
A: Yes, the character of Paul Kroll is based on Ivar Kreuger, the real Swedish ‘Match King’ whose financial empire collapsed in 1932, revealing one of history’s most spectacular frauds — a story that resonates powerfully with modern financial scandals.

Q: What is Pre-Code Hollywood?
A: Pre-Code refers to films made between 1930-1934 before strict censorship was enforced, allowing remarkably frank treatment of crime, sexuality, and moral ambiguity — qualities this film displays in abundance.

Q: Is Warren William a major star?
A: William was one of the biggest stars of the early 1930s, known as the ‘King of Pre-Code’ for his commanding performances as suave, morally complex characters. His work is being increasingly rediscovered and celebrated by film historians.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM protection?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free — you own it outright and can play it on any device forever.

Q: How do I receive the film after purchase?
A: You receive an instant download link immediately after payment. A backup copy of the link is also sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Public Enemy (1931)
• Little Caesar (1931)
• One Dangerous Night (1943)
• Baby Face (1933)
• Counter-Espionage (1942)