Watch Stella Dallas

Stella Dallas is a 1937 drama film directed by King Vidor and based on the novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty. The movie stars Barbara Stanwyck as the title character Stella Dallas, John Boles as her estranged husband Stephen Dallas, and Anne Shirley as their daughter Laurel. Stella Dallas tells the story of a young, working-class woman named Stella who falls in love with a wealthy young man named Stephen Dallas. Despite their different social backgrounds, the two get married and have a daughter, Laurel. However, as time passes, Stella and Stephen's marriage begins to fray, and Stephen eventually leaves Stella for a more refined woman.

The film focuses on Stella's struggles as a single mother trying to raise her daughter on her own. Despite not having much money, Stella is determined to give Laurel the best life possible, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. She becomes known in their small town as a brash, loud, and flamboyant woman, often the subject of gossip and ridicule.

As Laurel grows older, Stella realizes that her daughter's future success and happiness are dependent on her being accepted into high society. This sets off a love-torn conflict as Stella is torn between her own desires to be with Laurel and the realization that her daughter needs a refined upbringing in order to reach her full potential.

Throughout the movie, Stella tries her best to provide for Laurel, often at the expense of her own well-being. She makes sacrifices, struggles to feed her daughter, works hard to buy stylish clothes, and sends Laurel to expensive schools, all in the hopes of improving her daughter's life. Despite her best efforts, however, Stella cannot escape the scorn and contempt of high society, who see her as a bad influence on Laurel.

As Laurel grows older, her awareness and understanding of the social divide between herself and her mother grow. Eventually, Laurel recognizes that her mother's love is unconditional, and she tries to mend their broken relationship. The movie ends on a poignant note, as Stella makes a final sacrifice for her daughter's happiness.

Overall, Stella Dallas is a touching and poignant drama about the love between a mother and daughter, and the struggles of a single mother trying to provide for her child. Through Barbara Stanwyck's remarkable performance, the movie portrays the character of Stella as a complex and multifaceted figure, both flawed and admirable at the same time. The film holds up as a powerful commentary on social class issues and the sacrifices made for the ones you love.

Stella Dallas is a 1937 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.