Stella Dallas (1937)
King Vidor's classic melodrama starring Barbara Stanwyck as a fiercely devoted mother willing to sacrifice everything for her daughter's future.
Stella Dallas - Movie Information
- Original Title: Stella Dallas
- Release Year: 1937
- Directed by: King Vidor
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 6, 1937 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Stella Dallas, A Mãe Redentora (BR), 스텔라 댈러스 (KR)
- Production Companies: Samuel Goldwyn Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Stella Dallas - Plot
A working-class woman is willing to do whatever it takes to give her daughter a socially promising future.
Stella Dallas - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this beloved 1937 classic below.
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Stella Dallas - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- King Vidor
Main Cast
- Barbara Stanwyck
- John Boles
- Anne Shirley
- Barbara O'Neil
- Alan Hale
- Marjorie Main
- George Walcott
- Ann Shoemaker
- Tim Holt
- Nella Walker
Writers
- Victor Heerman
- Sarah Y. Mason
Producers
- Samuel Goldwyn
Stella Dallas - FAQs
Who plays Stella Dallas in the 1937 film?
Barbara Stanwyck plays the title role of Stella Dallas, delivering one of the most celebrated performances of her career. Her portrayal of a brash, loving, self-sacrificing mother earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and remains a landmark of classic Hollywood drama.
What is Stella Dallas about?
Stella Dallas follows a working-class woman who marries above her station and dedicates her life to securing a better future for her daughter Laurel. As Stella's rough edges clash with upper-class society, she makes increasingly painful sacrifices, culminating in one of cinema's most heartbreaking acts of maternal love.
Is Stella Dallas based on a true story?
Stella Dallas is not based on a true story. It's adapted from Olive Higgins Prouty's 1923 novel of the same name. The story was also adapted into a 1925 silent film and later inspired a long-running radio serial, making it one of the most enduring maternal melodrama narratives in American popular culture.
What happens at the end of Stella Dallas?
In the film's iconic ending, Stella stands alone in the rain outside a window, watching her daughter Laurel marry into wealth and privilege — a world Stella deliberately excluded herself from. It's a devastating, selfless farewell that has moved audiences for decades and stands as one of Hollywood's most emotionally powerful final scenes.
Where can you stream Stella Dallas?
You can watch Stella Dallas on several platforms. It's available free on Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and YouTube Free (with ads), as well as Pluto TV. If you prefer to rent or buy, it's also on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Amazon Prime Video subscribers can stream it as part of their membership.
Did Stella Dallas win any Academy Awards?
Stella Dallas received two Academy Award nominations at the 1938 ceremony: Barbara Stanwyck for Best Actress and Anne Shirley for Best Supporting Actress. While neither won, the nominations cemented the film's reputation as a prestige drama and boosted Stanwyck's standing as one of Hollywood's finest dramatic actresses.
Who directed Stella Dallas and when was it released?
King Vidor directed Stella Dallas, and it was released in the United States on August 6, 1937. Vidor was already a celebrated filmmaker by that point, and his sensitive handling of the story's class tensions and maternal sacrifice helped elevate the film well beyond a conventional melodrama of its era.
How long is Stella Dallas?
Stella Dallas runs for 106 minutes — just under two hours. It's a well-paced drama that takes its time building Stella's character and her complex relationships before delivering its emotionally charged final act. The runtime gives the story room to breathe and makes the eventual sacrifices feel genuinely earned.
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