IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.3K
YOUR RATING
A working-class woman is willing to do whatever it takes to give her daughter a socially promising future.A working-class woman is willing to do whatever it takes to give her daughter a socially promising future.A working-class woman is willing to do whatever it takes to give her daughter a socially promising future.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total
Jessie Arnold
- Ed's Landlady
- (uncredited)
Harry Bowen
- Man Watching Wedding Behind Stella
- (unconfirmed)
- (uncredited)
Harlan Briggs
- Mr. Beamer
- (uncredited)
Heinie Conklin
- Train Passenger
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie was so popular that it became a radio serial on 25 October 1937, dramatizing the later lives of characters in the movie. The serial lasted for 18 years.
- GoofsWhen Stella is working on the sofa in her light robe, you can see the padding on her rear. This is later in the movie.
- Quotes
Stella Martin 'Stell' Dallas: I've always been known to have a stack of style!
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "STELLA DALLAS (Amore sublime, 1937) + ORCHIDEA BIANCA (1947)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Seul le cinéma (1994)
- SoundtracksSmiles
(1917) (uncredited)
Music by Lee S. Roberts
Whistled by George Walcott twice
Played by the pianist during the silent movi
Featured review
The mother of all soap operas...
BARBARA STANWYCK knew a good, earthy role when she saw it--and knew she could do justice to STELLA DALLAS. And she does. But still, there are times when the sentiment is poured on just a bit too thick for current taste--and there are scenes where she is almost a caricature of the vulgarized creature she has become. Stanwyck's fans will probably count this among her best--but I have to admit I prefer her way with comedy in THE LADY EVE or her way with wickedness as the femme fatale of DOUBLE INDEMNITY. Here she's a good actress--but the performance is a bit mechanical at times. As for the story itself, well it is pure unadulterated soap opera and no amount of acting skill can make us forget we're watching a teary drama of sacrificial mother love.
A more subtle drama of this kind of sacrifice came later in films such as TO EACH HIS OWN--done with even more honesty and skill than the script permits here. John Boles is as bland as ever in his role as Stella's rich (and rather stuffy) husband; and Alan Hale reminds us that he was one of the most watchable character actors, no matter how obnoxious his roles were. Anne Shirley does nicely as the daughter Stanwyck is willing to sacrifice for--but the truth is, it all seems a bit old-fashioned and must have seemed so even back in 1937.
Still, there is no denying the interest in seeing how Stanwyck plays Stella. There are times when she makes the emotions seem as natural, real and raw as they could possibly be. All in all, a satisfying soap opera under King Vidor's direction.
Excellent support from handsome young Tim Holt as Anne's boyfriend and Barbara O'Neil as an understanding wife who sympathizes with Stanwyck's plight.
A more subtle drama of this kind of sacrifice came later in films such as TO EACH HIS OWN--done with even more honesty and skill than the script permits here. John Boles is as bland as ever in his role as Stella's rich (and rather stuffy) husband; and Alan Hale reminds us that he was one of the most watchable character actors, no matter how obnoxious his roles were. Anne Shirley does nicely as the daughter Stanwyck is willing to sacrifice for--but the truth is, it all seems a bit old-fashioned and must have seemed so even back in 1937.
Still, there is no denying the interest in seeing how Stanwyck plays Stella. There are times when she makes the emotions seem as natural, real and raw as they could possibly be. All in all, a satisfying soap opera under King Vidor's direction.
Excellent support from handsome young Tim Holt as Anne's boyfriend and Barbara O'Neil as an understanding wife who sympathizes with Stanwyck's plight.
helpful•2312
- Doylenf
- May 30, 2004
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Majka ili bludnica
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,000,000
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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