Barbara Stanwyck stars as the title character, the daughter of a factory worker who dreams of joining the crème-de-la-crème of her small town. Stella marries Stephen Dallas (John Boles), a well-bred heartthrob with similar ambitions, and it initially appears they are on the path to social success. But their marriage quickly sours as Stephen becomes increasingly embarrassed of Stella's low-class tendencies and vulgar garishness. But before they separate, Stella and Stephen have a child, the lovely and even-tempered Laurel (Anne Shirley). As Laurel grows into a woman, Stella decides she must sacrifice her relationship with her daughter so that Laurel may enjoy the high life.

Stella Dallas leaves a bitter aftertaste once the credits stopped rolling. The movie seems to take great delight in Stella's social missteps and immediately forces the viewer to side against this unlikely heroine. By the time Stella joins the country-club elite wearing a white fox wrap, bells on her shoes and tightly curled bleach-blonde hair, it is hard not to agree with the snobbish remarks that buzz behind her back. We sympathize with Stella, but more importantly, we are inspired to also whisper cruelties that mock her misplaced sense of taste and style.

The acting and directing are strong, which creates the illusion that this is a better movie than it actually is. Stanwyck received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and later even claimed this was among her favorite roles. She convincingly creates a tragic character, but Stanwyck is much more fun when she plays the manipulator rather than the manipulated. Check out her career highlights, The Lady Eve and Double Indemnity, to see Stanwyck at her conniving best. Boles is sufficient, if boring, as the disapproving husband, and Shirley is surprisingly real in a role that could have easily overdosed on sweetness. Alan Hale makes good with his caricature drunk. King Vidor directs, and he skillfully guides the film to support Stella's ultimate downfall.

The real problem is the plot; the story is both cruel and superior. Stella does make noble sacrifices, but the script emphasizes her faults rather than her strengths. The viewer is subtly encouraged to pity Stella and finally come to the conclusion that the other characters would be better off without Stella in their lives. She is the ultimate pointless heroine.

There are no DVD extras other than a couple language options. I'll try watching Stella Dallas in Spanish or French next. Maybe the movie will be more sympathetic to its lead in another language.

Movie Score: C+
DVD Score: n/a
Overall Score: C+