The Night Club Lady (1932) in Color — Starring Adolphe Menjou & Mayo Methot

The Night Club Lady (1932) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the brisk, entertaining Pre-Code murder mystery The Night Club Lady (1932) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by Irving Cummings, this Columbia Pictures production stars Adolphe Menjou at his most elegantly unflappable as Inspector Donahue, a suave, impeccably dressed New York police detective who investigates the murder of a beautiful nightclub entertainer — a crime committed during a lavish party in full view of dozens of witnesses, yet no one saw a thing, because the killer struck during a planned blackout staged as part of the evening’s entertainment. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

At an exclusive New York nightclub, the glamorous and notorious Lola Dorian (Mayo Methot) is the star attraction — a beautiful, dangerous woman who collects wealthy lovers, discards them casually, and accumulates enemies with every broken heart. On the night of a lavish party celebrating her latest show, Lola is found murdered during a brief, planned electrical blackout that was staged as a dramatic effect during her performance.

Inspector Donahue (Adolphe Menjou) arrives with his customary elegance and immediately recognises the genius of the crime: the killer used the pre-planned blackout — when every light in the nightclub was extinguished for precisely thirty seconds — to strike in total darkness, knowing that not a single witness could see what happened. Every person in the packed nightclub had both the opportunity and total cover of darkness.

Donahue’s investigation reveals that Lola had no shortage of enemies. Her current lover, a wealthy socialite, had just discovered she was being unfaithful. Her previous lover was consumed by jealous rage. Her business partner was being blackmailed. A spurned musician had publicly threatened her life. Even the nightclub management had reason to want Lola gone. Donahue must sift through a glittering array of suspects, each with motive, means, and the convenient cover of darkness, using his legendary deductive skills and impeccable social manners to crack the case. The investigation leads through the glamorous, morally ambiguous world of Pre-Code nightclub society to a cleverly constructed surprise revelation that unmasks the killer through a brilliant piece of deductive reasoning.

Cast & Crew

Director: Irving Cummings
Stars: Adolphe Menjou is perfection as Inspector Donahue — immaculately groomed, quietly brilliant, and armed with a dry wit that makes his interrogation scenes a pleasure to watch. His detective is a sophisticate who catches killers through observation, psychology, and impeccable manners rather than brute force. Mayo Methot (who would later become Humphrey Bogart’s famously volatile third wife) is effectively glamorous and dangerous as the doomed Lola.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s glamorous Pre-Code nightclub settings with era-accurate hues. The glittering nightclub interiors, elegant evening attire, atmospheric stage lighting, and the dramatic blackout sequences gain wonderful visual richness 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 Night Club Lady features the pre-Code era’s sophisticated approach to murder mystery entertainment — a glamorous setting, morally ambiguous characters, and a witty detective operating in a world of wealth, sex, and danger that would soon be censored out of Hollywood films. Adolphe Menjou’s Inspector Donahue joins the ranks of classic screen detectives alongside Philo Vance and Nick Charles. Through colorization, this elegant Pre-Code mystery 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: 68 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 a whodunit?
A: Yes — a cleverly constructed murder mystery with multiple suspects, a brilliant ‘locked-room’ premise (the murder committed during a planned blackout), and a satisfying surprise solution.

Q: Is Adolphe Menjou a good detective?
A: Menjou is superb — his Inspector Donahue is one of the most elegantly charming screen detectives of the 1930s, solving murders through wit, observation, and impeccable manners.

Q: Is this a Pre-Code film?
A: Yes, made before the Hays Code enforcement of 1934, the film features the frank sexuality, moral ambiguity, and sophisticated adult content that characterised Hollywood’s most creatively liberated era.

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 Thin Man (1934)
• The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
• The Mystery of Mr. X (1934)
• Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936)
• Murder, My Sweet (1944)