Stella Dallas
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Movie Reviews of Stella Dallas
Movie Review: "I just want to have some fun"
Summary: 4 Stars
Barbara Stanwyck was nominated for an Oscar in this legendary soap opera that explores the issues of mother-daughter relationships and social class in the 1920's. The actress gives a finely wrought and quite compelling performance as Stella Dallas, the uncultured, unsophisticated bohemian floozy, who marries a man for his money but can't quite live up to what is expected of her.
The movie begins as a rags to riches story. Stella Martin (Stanwyck) is tired of living in her father's shack in a mill town, so she puts on a sweet act and in record time maneuvers her way into a marriage with Stephen Dallas (John Boles), a disinherited ex-millionaire who mourns the wedding of his intended, Helen (Barbara O'Neil) to another man.
At first, Stephen is smitten with Stella's fun-loving, innocent ways, and it seems that they are well and truly on the path to social success. However, after the birth of their first child Laurel (Anne Shirley), Stella begins to exhibit vulgar and unseemly behaviour. Her nurses and husband don't want her going to a dance so soon after having a baby - but the feisty Stella just can't help herself, so she goes anyway. She laughs like a bawdy dance hall girl, dances with strange men, and generally exhibits low-class tendencies.
The rigid and conservative Stephen is appalled; he's far more concerned about social propriety and worries that people will begin to "talk." Stella however, refuses to alter her lifestyle to cater to her husband's wishes and his more refined background. He wants to go to New York, but she stays behind to have fun, eventually befriending a lower-class businessman and dance partner Ed Munn (Alan Hale).
Ed is a fat and uncouth loudmouth, who smokes cigars, jokingly places itching powder on people, and leaves hard liquor around Lauren. Stella does nothing about it, for she sees Ed as a type of kindred spirit and even thinks that his improper and offensive ways are quite funny. Meanwhile back East, Stephen becomes re-acquainted with Helen, his original sweetheart, who is now a widow with three perfectly groomed and faultlessly well-mannered young boys.
Eventually, Laurel grows up and Stella's common manners and undignified behavior begin to become a problem as Lauren has now started spending more time with her father and the wealthy Helen. Lauren, now a mirror image of her father, has begun to exhibit all of his patrician qualities; she's cultured, sweet, absolutely adorable and possessed of the most impeccable manners.
Even though Laurel loves her mother terribly, she soon realizes that her mum has become a frumpy embarrassment, a low class harridan, who wears loud, obnoxious, and tacky clothing. When Stella finally wizens up to what people are saying about her - that's she's a tramp and a horrible mother, when in reality she's not - she sacrifices her own happiness for her daughter's happiness so that Lauren can, once and for all, "make it" in upper-class society and marry the boy she loves.
Stella Dallas is pretty much a two-hour endorsement of class elitism; it's also a rather cautionary tale that ultimately acts as a warning against social ambition. One should not think of aspiring above one's station in life. Stella wants desperately to make something of herself, but she finds that having social respect and money, while giving her security, isn't really that much fun.
Stanwyck does a good job of imbuing her tragic, misguided, and totally misunderstood heroine with a certain amount of viewer sympathy even when her social missteps and her outlandish outfits often cause us to cringe. By the time Stella attempts to join the country club elite wearing a patchwork-frilled dress, a dreadful white fox wrap, bells on her shoes and tightly curled bleach-blonde hair, it is hard not to agree with the snobbish remarks that are murmured behind her back.
Stella is a lovely, kind, and attractive woman - she's just a bit impetuous and brash. We consequently sympathize with her plight, but are also inclined to mock and ridicule her misplaced sense of taste and style. Perhaps this reaction is a fitting testament to Stanwyck's brave, complex, and uncompromising performance, and also to the strength and potency of the movie itself. Mike Leonard July 05.
Movie Review: Social climber falls down, actress succeeds
Summary: 4 Stars
I first saw this film a month ago, and right out, I have to say I never was a great fan of Barbara Stanwyck. She was a great actress, but too headstrong or selfish (I like Katharine Hepburn better, but not by very much because she was a little bit like Stanwyck). Here, Barbara plays Stella Dallas, from a poor family intent on marrying Stephen Dallas (John Boles). Personally, I think it is for his social position.
I am a big fan of John Boles--but he and his character Stephen Dallas gets a bum rap. Stephen's bankrupt millionaire father had committed suicide, by which he also deserts his well-bred fiance Helen (Barbara O'Neill). Stella goes to his office to captivate him, and she succeeds by being ladylike and well-dressed. It's no wonder he falls for her, for he is lonely and upset by Helen's rebound marriage to a Mr. Morrison. After probably only a couple of weeks of meeting Stella, Stephen marries her.
A year later, their daughter Laurel is born. The day they come home from the hospital, Stella finds an invitation to a dance, and Stephen gives in. Stella deliberately detains their departure, and they have a confrontation at home that Boles handles very well (for his character's limitations). Their marriage is in serious trouble--clearly Stella had a big part in ruining it. When she's asked why she married him, she says that she was crazy about him. But Stephen loves her. She's sick of giving up things for him and doesn't see him giving up anything--but he's had to put up with her bad behavior, so he has gone without too. When he says he's accepted the request of working at the New York branch of his company and wants her to go with him, Stella refuses, and their marriage is effectively over.
Anne Shirley (as their daughter Laurel) was Oscar-nominated along with Barbara Stanwyck. She is very enthusiastic and well-mannered, quite similar to her well-bred father considering Stella raised her, but she's seen her father every year. Stanwyck has always wanted the best for her, the one thing that is commendable about her. Days before Laurel's 13th birthday, Stephen meets Helen, who is now widowed. Stephen and Laurel spend her birthday with Helen and her three sons. Stephen has always loved Helen, and spends lots of time with her, which makes Stella suspicious.
Then Stella and Stephen reunite cordially one Christmas. He's invited Laurel to spend the holidays with Helen, but after seeing what Stella's done, he sees no reason why she can't join them, and means it. While phoning the train for a later time, he sees a drunken Ed Munn (played by Alan Hale), who sobers instantly. Stephen wants to get a divorce to marry Helen and let Stella have her freedom (He mistakenly assumes she wants to marry Ed). Stella is pure poison talking to his lawyer, and thinks Stephen's trying to get her to want more than what she can give by sending her to fancy places. She tries the very same thing, but it ends in disaster. She meets Helen and wants her to be Laurel's mother after she is married to Stephen.
Barbara O'Neill is the only one who really understands Laurel, unfortunately, but it's not John Boles' fault. His role is relatively small and is basically that of a gentlemanly, loving father who couldn't completely understand Laurel if he wanted to. He has some very good scenes and is a good actor, but it's almost a wasted role--the role isn't worthy of him at all. The roles requires an stiffness toward Stella that is painful to watch, and I've never seen him have to be that before!
Alan Hale as Ed Munn gets a very well-rounded role as the uncouth, occasional drunk who wanted to marry Stella, but is turned down. Anne Shirley's scenes are SO enjoyable. The film belongs to Stanwyck, but much of the film revolves around Laurel, and a more worthy teenaged actress to fit the bill would be very hard to find. I am also a big fan of Anne Shirley. The film spans at least 18 years, and that is at times quite inconsistent. No one looks the right age all the time, but look the appropriate age at different times. Stella and Stephen seem to not age at all (or too much). But those are only minor failings in a wonderful film.
Movie Review: Is it a crime to have bad taste?
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Movie Review: there are loving mothers and loving mothers...then there's Stella Dallas
Summary: 4 Stars
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).
Movie Review: Melodramatic, Powerful Ending
Summary: 4 Stars
Stella Dallas is the story of a low-class girl (Barbara Stanwyck) who meets and marries a wealthy man on the rebound (John Boles). She tells him she wants to learn to be high class and he tells her not to change because he loves her the way she is. Their sentiments change, of course, when they begin living their life together. She is too high-strung and common for his tastes and she finds him dull, so when his business takes him to New York, she does not follow. Instead, she stays home and devotes herself to their baby girl Laurel/Lolly.
Lolly (Anne Shirley) is Stella's life, but as Laurel gets older, she begins associating with higher class people who have preconceived ideas about her mother. Laurel loves her and does her best to protect her mother from gossip, but Stella knows she is hurting her daughter's chances at a happy life.
Highly melodramatic and well-acted, Stella Dallas has a very emotional climax which will stay in the mind long after the film is over. The performances of Stanwyck and Shirley are excellent. This is definitely a woman's film, and a good one.