Rating: 
Summary: A must see classic tear-jerker!
Review: My grandmother remembered seeing this movie when it originally came out in 1937. When I started getting into Barbara Stanwyck, about a year ago, she recalled this film as being the only film she ever cried at when she was younger. Mind you that the main form of entertainment during the 30s and 40s were movies, and she saw MANY! So, to be nice, I went out and purchased a copy of the movie, and surprised her one day and we watched it. The year was 1997. She still cried. 60 YEARS LATER, the same movie she remembered as the only movie she ever cried at when she was younger, still got her the same way. Just a few weeks ago, we watched it again. Again, tears welled up in her eyes. This just goes to show the power of a brilliantly made, brilliantly acted film. And "Stella Dallas" combines both beautiful production and wonderful acting to produce one of THE BEST tear-jerkers ever made. Barbara Stanwyck as a mother who sacrifices everything for her only daughter (Anne Shirley), was nominated for an Oscar, and rightfully so! The scenes are classic, especially the final one, which I won't give away. This is a MUST SEE film..."Stella Dallas" will not disappoint you... END
Rating: 
Summary: STANWYCK IS AMAZING
Review: Stella Martin Dallas is a poorly educated, rather coarse (but pretty) young woman with a zest for life. Outwardly crude, she has a heart of gold underneath, and as we watch, we find she's magnificent as a mother! STELLA DALLAS is a classic weeper of the thirties. It offers an especially fine performance from the ever popular Barbara Stanwyck. Stella wins the heart of one Stephen Dallas, a man whose social position is of a much higher level than hers. The scene where Stanwyck visits Barbara O'Neil is heartbreaking (She tells O'Neil what a wonderful girl Laurel is, whereupon O'Neil replies "I know she is - and I know she didn't get it all from her father". The famous birthday party sequence (to which nobody comes)is memorable as is the time Laurel is horrified at seeing her mother with Ed Munn, drinking, reading movie trash and listening to ST. LOUIS BLUES on the phonograph (could Stella be using psychology, perchance?) The classic finale has Stella peering thru a church window at Lollie's wedding - while a cop asks her impatiently to move on - which she does - with a triumphant smile on her face. Stanwyck was sorely disappointed at losing the Oscar (to Luise Rainer for THE GOOD EARTH) because, as she later stated "I really poured my blood into it!". Laurel was played with admirable restraint by Anne Shirley and Alan Hale gave good, solid support as dirty Ed Munn. John Boles was...John Boles (wooden as ever) - but it doesn't matter one whit - this was Stanwyck's picture all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Stanwyck Rises Above the Suds
Review: Sure, the script is 99.44% pure soap opera, and no, it hasn't aged particularly well. But "Stella Dallas" remains watchable thanks to the tour de force performance given by Barbara Stanwyck in the title role. Encumbered by some overly sentimental dialogue and weighed down by poor costuming choices that threaten to make her character seem ludicrous rather than pathetic or garish, Stanwyck overcomes all obstacles by investing her every scene with a disarming sincerity and heartfelt honesty. She rises far above the script; indeed, some of her finest moments are those in which she says not a word (her painful self-realization in the train berth; her barely controlled suffering as she deliberately goads her daughter into rejecting her; and of course, the famous ending shot in which she strides triumphantly into the night). Stanwyck is beautifully abetted by Anne Shirley in an Oscar-nominated supporting performance, and Alan Hale and Barbara O'Neil also shine. But this is Stanwyck's movie all the way, and she alone holds it together and makes it work.The DVD transfer is far from perfect. There is a lot of "video noise" throughout the movie, and the contrast often seems lacking. There is no theatrical trailer or stills gallery; the only bonus is a cast and crew filmography that is prone to error and omissions: Stanwyck was NOT Oscar-nominated for "The Lady Eve" in 1941 as indicated; her four Best Actress races were in 1937 ("Stella Dallas"), 1941 ("Ball of Fire"), 1944 ("Double Indemnity"), and 1948 ("Sorry, Wrong Number"). Still, this DVD is an improvement over the VHS release, and a must-have for fans of the incomparable Stanwyck.
Rating:
Summary: Stanwyck Rises Above the Suds
Review: Sure, the script is 99.44% pure soap opera, and no, it hasn't aged particularly well. But "Stella Dallas" remains watchable thanks to the tour de force performance given by Barbara Stanwyck in the title role. Encumbered by some overly sentimental dialogue and weighed down by poor costuming choices that threaten to make her character seem ludicrous rather than pathetic or garish, Stanwyck overcomes all obstacles by investing her every scene with a disarming sincerity and heartfelt honesty. She rises far above the script; indeed, some of her finest moments are those in which she says not a word (her painful self-realization in the train berth; her barely controlled suffering as she deliberately goads her daughter into rejecting her; and of course, the famous ending shot in which she strides triumphantly into the night). Stanwyck is beautifully abetted by Anne Shirley in an Oscar-nominated supporting performance, and Alan Hale and Barbara O'Neil also shine. But this is Stanwyck's movie all the way, and she alone holds it together and makes it work. The DVD transfer is far from perfect. There is a lot of "video noise" throughout the movie, and the contrast often seems lacking. There is no theatrical trailer or stills gallery; the only bonus is a cast and crew filmography that is prone to error and omissions: Stanwyck was NOT Oscar-nominated for "The Lady Eve" in 1941 as indicated; her four Best Actress races were in 1937 ("Stella Dallas"), 1941 ("Ball of Fire"), 1944 ("Double Indemnity"), and 1948 ("Sorry, Wrong Number"). Still, this DVD is an improvement over the VHS release, and a must-have for fans of the incomparable Stanwyck.
Rating:
Summary: Stanwyck Rises Above the Suds
Review: Sure, the script is 99.44% pure soap opera, and no, it hasn't aged particularly well. But "Stella Dallas" remains watchable thanks to the tour de force performance given by Barbara Stanwyck in the title role. Encumbered by some overly sentimental dialogue and weighed down by poor costuming choices that threaten to make her character seem ludicrous rather than pathetic or garish, Stanwyck overcomes all obstacles by investing her every scene with a disarming sincerity and heartfelt honesty. She rises far above the script; indeed, some of her finest moments are those in which she says not a word (her painful self-realization in the train berth; her barely controlled suffering as she deliberately goads her daughter into rejecting her; and of course, the famous ending shot in which she strides triumphantly into the night). Stanwyck is beautifully abetted by Anne Shirley in an Oscar-nominated supporting performance, and Alan Hale and Barbara O'Neil also shine. But this is Stanwyck's movie all the way, and she alone holds it together and makes it work. The DVD transfer is far from perfect. There is a lot of "video noise" throughout the movie, and the contrast often seems lacking. There is no theatrical trailer or stills gallery; the only bonus is a cast and crew filmography that is prone to error and omissions: Stanwyck was NOT Oscar-nominated for "The Lady Eve" in 1941 as indicated; her four Best Actress races were in 1937 ("Stella Dallas"), 1941 ("Ball of Fire"), 1944 ("Double Indemnity"), and 1948 ("Sorry, Wrong Number"). Still, this DVD is an improvement over the VHS release, and a must-have for fans of the incomparable Stanwyck.
Rating:
Summary: One of Stanwyck's greatest roles and an all time favorite
Review: Tearjerker supreme, with a top-notch performance by Barbara Stanwyck, who impersonates and gives true life to coarse, low class, self-effacing Stella Dallas, "mother above all". This is one of the greatest and strongest dramatic performances ever achieved on the screen by an American actress. Stanwyck plays an ambitious girl of humble origins, who falls in love and marries recently impoverished aristocratic Boles (Stephen Dallas), whose social differences eventually separate them. She raises their little child, Laurel, suffering, crying and sacrificing herself for her daughter's sake, from then onwards. John Boles is quite effective, but, as usual, lacks punch as Stephen Dallas. On the other hand, Anne Shirley is believable and very good as grown-up Laurel. Alan Hale is simply incredible and the epitome of vulgarity, as lowbrow and ever-partying Ed Munn; and Barbara O'Neil (future Scarlett O'Hara's mother) is rightly patrician, well-bred and classy, as Boles' old-time fiancée and friend. In spite of its 30's ultrasentimentality by today's standards, absolutely recommended viewing. The DVD quality is good indeed.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best dramas ever!
Review: This is one of the finest dramas I've ever seen, and definately one of my favorites. Barbara Stanwyck is outstanding in the title role of "Stella Dallas." Alan Hale, Sr. provides good support in the role of the riding teacher who helps ruin Stella's reputation. Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby the first time you see it! Don't say I didn't warn you!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A timeless classic!
Review: This movie had me crying for almost a half hour afterwards, I was so moved. The story was so touching and hear-rending that I forgot that was watching a movie. Barbara Stanwyck played her role perfectly. It has to be one of her best performances--she made the movie. After seeing Stella for the first time in a film class, I new I had to own this materpiece. I keep it near and dear to my heart, as this movie has reflected my life to certain point and I could relate to the emotions involved. This is an unforgettable movie, a must see for all--just be prepared with a box of tissues and some Visine!
Rating:
Summary: A timeless classic!
Review: This movie had me crying for almost a half hour afterwards, I was so moved. The story was so touching and hear-rending that I forgot that was watching a movie. Barbara Stanwyck played her role perfectly. It has to be one of her best performances--she made the movie. After seeing Stella for the first time in a film class, I new I had to own this materpiece. I keep it near and dear to my heart, as this movie has reflected my life to certain point and I could relate to the emotions involved. This is an unforgettable movie, a must see for all--just be prepared with a box of tissues and some Visine!
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Best
Review: Well,"Stella Dallas" is probably the ultimate in tearjerker movies. Initially, Stella is coarse to Boles Stephen, and in time, she really becomes a good mother; I do think that folks snobbery to Stanwyck was cruel; What happened to hints? That is one crowd I don't wish to be a part of; Anyhow, a great movie;The ending is a great tearjerker.
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