Thirty Day Princess (1934) in Color — Starring Sylvia Sidney & Cary Grant

Thirty Day Princess (1934) – Buy This Pre-Code Romantic Comedy in Color

Experience the sparkling charm of Thirty Day Princess (1934) in vivid colorized HD. Directed by Marion Gering, this delightful pre-Code romantic comedy stars Sylvia Sidney in a dazzling dual role as both a visiting European princess and the struggling actress hired to impersonate her. When the actress hired to cover for the ailing princess falls for a cynical newspaper reporter determined to expose the deception, the result is a witty and thoroughly entertaining comedy of mistaken identity and genuine romance. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

Princess Catterina of Doylette-Doylettia arrives in New York City on an official state visit that is actually a carefully orchestrated public relations campaign. A powerful banker named Richard Doyle-Doylerton (Edward Arnold) has financed the princess’s visit to generate favourable publicity that will help sell millions of dollars in bonds he is underwriting for her small European nation. Everything depends on the princess making a favourable impression on the American public during her thirty-day stay.

Disaster strikes almost immediately when the princess contracts mumps and is quarantined, unable to make any public appearances. With millions at stake, the desperate banker hatches an audacious scheme: he hires Nancy Lane (also Sylvia Sidney), a down-on-her-luck actress who bears a remarkable resemblance to the princess, to impersonate her for the duration of the visit. Nancy, desperate for money and work during the Depression, accepts the risky assignment and throws herself into learning royal etiquette and the princess’s mannerisms with remarkable skill.

Complicating everything is Porter Madison (Cary Grant), a crusading newspaper editor who suspects the princess’s visit is nothing more than a financial publicity stunt and is determined to expose the truth. Porter launches a series of cutting editorials attacking the princess and the bond deal. The banker, alarmed at the negative publicity, arranges for Nancy (as the princess) to meet Porter socially, hoping her charm will soften his opposition. The plan works both too well and not well enough — Nancy and Porter fall genuinely in love, but their growing romance is built on the fundamental deception of her false identity.

As Nancy navigates the increasingly complex web of the imposture, managing state dinners and diplomatic functions while hiding her true background, the real princess begins to recover. The approaching end of Nancy’s impersonation means that she must either reveal the truth to Porter and risk losing him forever, or disappear back into anonymity without explanation. The film builds to a cleverly constructed resolution that satisfies both the romantic comedy and the social satire aspects of the story.

Cast & Crew

Director: Marion Gering
Stars: Sylvia Sidney, Cary Grant, Edward Arnold, Henry Stephenson, Vince Barnett, Edgar Norton

Sylvia Sidney delivers an impressive dual performance, creating two distinct characters with subtle differences in bearing, speech, and manner that make the impersonation thoroughly credible. Cary Grant, still early in his career, displays the effortless charm and comic timing that would make him Hollywood’s greatest romantic leading man. Edward Arnold provides excellent support as the manipulative but sympathetic banker.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The glamorous New York society settings, the elegant state dinners and diplomatic receptions, the contrast between the actress’s humble world and the princess’s opulent surroundings — all are beautifully enhanced through expert colorization. The gowns and jewels of high society gain particular visual richness in colour, while the Depression-era street scenes provide atmospheric contrast. Now also available in colour. Own this charming pre-Code gem for €15.00 — a delightful addition to your classic comedy collection.

Historical Significance

Thirty Day Princess represents a clever variation on the “commoner impersonates royalty” theme that was popular in Depression-era Hollywood, when audiences dreamed of escaping their economic hardships through fantasy and wish fulfilment. The film also captures the pre-Code era’s relative sophistication and frankness in its treatment of deception, romance, and financial manipulation. Sylvia Sidney’s dual performance is a technical achievement of considerable skill, and the young Cary Grant’s performance offers a fascinating glimpse of the legendary screen persona still in formation. Through colorization, this witty and elegant romantic comedy has been preserved for modern audiences who appreciate the sophisticated charm of 1930s Hollywood at its most entertaining.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 75 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: How convincing is Sylvia Sidney in the dual role?
A: Sidney is remarkably effective, creating two distinct characters through subtle differences in posture, voice, and mannerism. The actress-playing-a-princess layers are particularly well handled, as you can see Nancy consciously adjusting her behaviour to maintain the impersonation.

Q: Is this a good early Cary Grant performance?
A: Yes, though Grant had not yet fully developed the persona that would make him legendary, his natural charm, comic timing, and romantic appeal are already clearly evident. It’s a fascinating early example of the screen presence that would soon make him Hollywood’s biggest star.

Q: Does the film feel dated in its pre-Code elements?
A: The film is relatively mild by pre-Code standards, but it does display the era’s characteristic sophistication and willingness to treat deception and romantic entanglements with a light, non-judgmental touch that distinguishes it from films made under the stricter Production Code that followed.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Roman Holiday (1953) Full Movie in Color —
• It Happened One Night (1934)
• The Princess Comes Across (1936)
• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• The Awful Truth (1937)