Stella Dallas

Starring:Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles, Anne Shirley, Barbara O'Neil, Alan Hale, Marjorie Main, George Walcott, Ann Shoemaker, Tim Holt, Nella Walker, Bruce Satterlee, Jimmy Butler, Jack Egger, Dickie Jones, Robert Homans, Laraine Day, Vesey O'Davoren, Hazel Langton, Etta McDaniel, Francis Sayles
Director: King Vidor
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Barbara Stanwyck gave one of her inimitable and wonderfully enigmatic performances as a mill worker who marries her way into high society and soon experiences layers of frustration. Channeling her restlessness, she soon makes a positive though highly self-sacrificial decision on her daughter's behalf, and endures the agony of being replaced in her husband's life by an old, blue-blooded flame. King Vidor (The Crowd) directs with a fascinating sense of duality about Stanwyck's character: is her lower-caste vulgarity something to sneer at or something to applaud for the contrast she presents to the mannered upper classes? Stanwyck plays the riddle brilliantly, right down to the final moment of her character's weird self-satisfaction at being ostracized from her daughter's honeyed life. --Tom Keogh

Description

True heroines don't always save lives. Sometimes they're simply mothers, with an everlasting devotion to their children. Such is the case in Stella Dallas. Starring Barbara Stanwyck in an Academy AwardÂ(r)-nominated* performance that's "as courageous as it is fine" (The New York Times), this enduring classic is a "vivid and authentic cross-section of American life [full of] deeply moving emotional power" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Even after her marriage to well-bred Stephen Dallas (John Boles) ends, irrepressible Stella (Stanwyck) is determined to give their daughter (Anne Shirley) the life she never had. And when it comes down to her child's happiness versus her own, Stella's sacrifice is truly the epitome of bravery. *1937: Actress

Customer Reviews:

there are loving mothers and loving mothers...then there's Stella Dallas.......2007-06-29

STELLA DALLAS, based on the novel by Olive Higgins Prouty and directed with great sensitivity by King Vidor, gave Barbara Stanwyck her very first Academy Award nomination in 1937. Her performance, as the mother who'll sacrifice everything for her daughter, glues the entire film together.

Stella Martin (Barbara Stanwyck) is a girl from working-class roots who calculatingly pursues Stephen Dallas (John Boles), from one of the wealthiest families. Once married, their relationship is slowly destroyed thanks to Stella's shameless social-climbing antics. Stephen leaves and Stella invests all of her love and devotion to their daughter Laurel (played for the bulk of the movie by Anne Shirley).

As time goes by, Stella realises that her working-class background, which she has tried so desperately to escape from, will be the only thing to stop Laurel from having a good life. Stella's most selfless sacrifice will be one that all parents will understand...

STELLA DALLAS boasts one of Barbara Stanwyck's most subtle and moving performances. The character of Stella is very much an enigma, with a duality that must has been very challenging to play. Stanwyck deservedly got her very first Oscar nomination for the role in 1937. John Boles, Barbara O'Neil and Alan Hale are all very memorable here. Anne Shirley (best-remembered from the 1933 version of "Anne of Green Gables") is a charming presence as Laurel--the role was originally earmarked for Frances Farmer. Watch out for Marjorie Main playing Stella's mother in the early scenes.

STELLA DALLAS is a great "weepie" from the classic years of Hollywood, one that can sit comfortably on the shelf next to "Mildred Pierce" and "Imitation of Life". The DVD features a beautiful print. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

Stella Dallas.......2007-04-10

The disc was very good no glitches
the movie is a story of a lady who married a dream only to find it was not what she really wanted, and resulted in a long separation and ultimately ending in divorce. A daughter born of that marriage became the most important, and most loved thing in her life and because of that love she gave up her daughter to the girls father that the daughter may have lived the life of the mothers dreams. A very touching story of a mothers love and sacrifice.

Good Story -- Bad Acting.......2007-01-13

I liked the story line, but hated some of the acting. The daughter was just too bubbly, too sweet, and totally unbelievable. The actress that played Helen Morrison was even worse. In one scene when Stella is telling Helen her plan for the daughter, Helen just stares at her making weird faces and grasping her strangely. If it hadn't been so disturbing, it would have been hilarious. On the other hand Stanwyck gave an excellent performance as well as Alan Hale.

Is it a crime to have bad taste?.......2006-07-26

After reading the DVD cover, I was prepared for another "Veda" in MILDRED PIERCE. However, the grown-up Laurel Dallas (Anne Shirley) was quite the opposite -- compassionate and self-sacrificing. In fact, there was a competition for virtues between mother and daughter.

Stella Martin Dallas (Barbara Stanwyck) grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood. Her vehicle for rising above her social status is admired factory executive Stephen Dallas (John Boles). In one of the few nice garments she's ever seen in, she wins his affection and they wed. They have a daughter and Stephen suffers a financial reversal. A long marital separation follows.

In speech and demeanor, Stella never really transcends her humble beginnings. Though raising Laurel alone, she sews beautiful clothes for her daughter and throws parties to please her. Nevertheless, personal grooming and choice of friends leaves something to be desired. People begin to ostracize her and her daughter -- leading to some lonely parties.

As Laurel grows up, she visits her father, who by now is seeing a widow who has inherited a fortune. There is a stark contrast between the palatial estate there and the small apartment back home. During Daddy excursions, Laurel is exposed to well-bred friends and fun activities.

It becomes apparent to Stella that, she herself is an obstacle to Laurel's future happiness and success. Despite mutual devotion, Stella makes the ultimate sacrifice to give her daughter the best life.

Stanwyck demonstrates remarkable versatility in her role as STELLA DALLAS. She not only melds genuine affection and crass, but despite her beauty must appear to age poorly -- gaining weight and wearing garish clothing. At times you don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for her. Shirley conveys a surreal devotion lacking from any child with which I grew up. Cloth hankerchief recommended.

STANWYCK'S GREATEST PERFORMANCE!!!!.......2006-02-06

I read a magazine article once where the writer said Stanwyck was not an actress with the range of Bette Davis or Katharine Hepburn. With all due respect to Davis and Hepburn, Stanwyck could act rings around them. She was far more versatile than either of them (playing villainesses, comedy, drama and musicals with equal finesse) and was never hammy as Bette Davis was with her popping eyes, neck wringing and clipped speech or mannered as Katharine Hepburn was with her high patrician attitude and twittering, voice. Stella Dallas simply attests to this fact. There are so many facets to Stanwyck's portrayal and so many memorable scenes that rival the best any actress in Hollywood had to offer. 1) The scene on the train with Anne Shirley where she pretends to be asleep after overhearing her daughter's friends degrade Stella, 2) the farewell at the train station where she send Laurel (Anne Shirley) to her father), 3) the scene at the Mirador Hotel where she steps out in bangles and beads and a loud dress and she is mimicked by some young boys (that ain't a woman, that's a Christmas tree), 4) the scene where Stella is attempting to get rid of Ed Munn with a plucked turkey stuffed in the oven, 5) the birthday party scene with Laurel where nobody comes, 6) the scene where she pretends she doesn't love Laurel and tells her she wants to marry Ed Munn, 7) the scene where she sacrifices Laurel to Stephen Dallas' new wife (played by Barbara O'Neil) and last but not least, the now classic scene where she watches Laurel's wedding outside in the rain and emerges triumphant knowing that Laurel will have the life she never could. Top all of this with a great supporting cast, an excellent script and an unforgettable musical score and you have Stanwyck's best movie and Hollywood magic of 1937!

Average customer rating:

there are loving mothers and loving mothers...then there's Stella Dallas
Stella Dallas
Good Story -- Bad Acting
Is it a crime to have bad taste?
STANWYCK'S GREATEST PERFORMANCE!!!!

Stella Dallas
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck , John Boles , Anne Shirley , Barbara O'Neil , and Alan Hale
Director: King Vidor
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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