The Remembering Barbara Stanwyck Blogathon: "Stella Dallas" (1937)
Original release poster Directed by King Vidor, Stella Dallas (1937) tells the story of Stella Martin (Barbara Stanwyck), the daughter of a mill worker in a factory town in 1 919 Massac husetts , who is determined to better herself. She sets her sights on Stephen Dallas (John Boles), a minor executive at the factory whose family was once wealthy , and catches him at an emotionally vulnerable time. Stephen has broken his engagement to long-time sweetheart Helen (Barbara O'Neil) , fear ing that his present lack of money and social position would hinder her. He plan ned to marry Helen once he was financially able to support her, but, as he reaches his goal, he learns that she is to wed another man. As a result, S tephen decide s to marr y Stella ins tead. After the ir daughter Laurel (Anne Shirley ) is born, Stella beco mes bored with her life and be gins to ex hibit social behavior that Ste phen finds unsuitable. He also strongly disapp roves of her co ntinu...