Back Street (1941 film)
Encyclopedia
Back Street is a 1941 drama film made by Universal Pictures
, directed by Robert Stevenson
. The film stars Charles Boyer
and Margaret Sullavan
. It is a remake of the 1932 film of the same name
, also from Universal. The film follows the 1931 Fannie Hurst
novel and the 1932 film version very closely, in some cases reproducing the earlier film scene-for-scene. It is a sympathetic tale of an adulterous woman and the man she loved.
The 1941 version was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music (Score of a Dramatic Picture)
(Frank Skinner
).
Margaret Sullavan so much wanted Charles Boyer to play her leading man
that she gave up her top billing in order to persuade him to play this unsympathetic role.
After five years, they meet once again, by chance, in New York City
. The banker is now married with two children (Richard and Elizabeth) and is extremely successful in his career, but Rae and he still share the same strong attraction. Rae loves him so much that she gives up her career in dress design and becomes his kept mistress, seeing him only when it is convenient for him. Walter keeps up the appearance of a "happy marriage" and never considers divorcing his wife, whose father is his boss at the banking company.
Rae's loyalty to Walter collapses only once, when he fails to contact her after he has been on an extended trip to Europe with his wife. Rae goes back to Ohio
and agrees to marry Curt, an attractive and good-hearted man who proposed to her many times in their youth. However, Walter travels to Ohio to find her, and is able to persuade her to return with him.
Once Walter's children reach adulthood they understand who Rae is, and they despise her. People in Walter's social circle also point condemning fingers at Rae, who suffers all this with patience and fortitude.
In old age, dying of a stroke in his grand home, Walter's last faltering word is to Rae, on the phone. She dies not long afterwards in her apartment.
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
, directed by Robert Stevenson
Robert Stevenson (director)
Robert Stevenson was an English film writer and director. He was educated at Cambridge University where he became the president of both the Liberal Club and the Cambridge Union Society....
. The film stars Charles Boyer
Charles Boyer
Charles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...
and Margaret Sullavan
Margaret Sullavan
Margaret Brooke Sullavan was an American stage and film actress. Sullavan started her career on the stage in 1929. In 1933 she caught the attention of movie director John M. Stahl and had her debut on the screen that same year in Only Yesterday...
. It is a remake of the 1932 film of the same name
Back Street (1932 film)
Back Street is a 1932 film made by Universal Pictures, directed by John M. Stahl, and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr.. The screenplay was written by Gladys Lehman and based on the novel by Fannie Hurst. The film stars Irene Dunne and John Boles.-Plot:...
, also from Universal. The film follows the 1931 Fannie Hurst
Fannie Hurst
Fannie Hurst was an American novelist. Although her books are not well remembered today, during her lifetime some of her more famous novels were Stardust , Lummox , A President is Born , Back Street , and Imitation of Life...
novel and the 1932 film version very closely, in some cases reproducing the earlier film scene-for-scene. It is a sympathetic tale of an adulterous woman and the man she loved.
The 1941 version was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music (Score of a Dramatic Picture)
Academy Award for Best Original Score
The Academy Award for Original Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer.-Superlatives:...
(Frank Skinner
Frank Skinner (composer)
Frank Skinner was an American composer and arranger.Skinner was born in Meredosia, Illinois. A graduate of the Chicago Musical College , 16-year-old Frank found employment in vaudeville and began playing in local areas with his brother Carl on drums...
).
Margaret Sullavan so much wanted Charles Boyer to play her leading man
Leading man
Leading man or leading gentleman is an informal term for the actor who plays a love interest to the leading actress in a film or play. A leading man is usually an all rounder; capable of singing, dancing, and acting at a professional level, but never outshining his female co-star...
that she gave up her top billing in order to persuade him to play this unsympathetic role.
Plot summary
The film is set in the early 1900s. It tells the story of a pretty and independent young woman, Rae Smith, who lives in Cincinnati. She has many suitors, none of whom she takes seriously. One day she meets an extremely charming and handsome banker named Walter Louis Saxel, and they fall immediately into a strong attraction, which for her is real love. After a few days of closeness she is shocked when he tells her he is already engaged to someone else. Nonetheless the two of them very nearly marry one another on an impulse, but they are prevented from doing so by arbitrary external forces.After five years, they meet once again, by chance, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The banker is now married with two children (Richard and Elizabeth) and is extremely successful in his career, but Rae and he still share the same strong attraction. Rae loves him so much that she gives up her career in dress design and becomes his kept mistress, seeing him only when it is convenient for him. Walter keeps up the appearance of a "happy marriage" and never considers divorcing his wife, whose father is his boss at the banking company.
Rae's loyalty to Walter collapses only once, when he fails to contact her after he has been on an extended trip to Europe with his wife. Rae goes back to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and agrees to marry Curt, an attractive and good-hearted man who proposed to her many times in their youth. However, Walter travels to Ohio to find her, and is able to persuade her to return with him.
Once Walter's children reach adulthood they understand who Rae is, and they despise her. People in Walter's social circle also point condemning fingers at Rae, who suffers all this with patience and fortitude.
In old age, dying of a stroke in his grand home, Walter's last faltering word is to Rae, on the phone. She dies not long afterwards in her apartment.
Cast
- Charles BoyerCharles BoyerCharles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...
as Walter Louis Saxel - Margaret SullavanMargaret SullavanMargaret Brooke Sullavan was an American stage and film actress. Sullavan started her career on the stage in 1929. In 1933 she caught the attention of movie director John M. Stahl and had her debut on the screen that same year in Only Yesterday...
as Rae Smith - Richard Carlson as Curt Stanton
- Frank McHughFrank McHughFrancis Curray "Frank" McHugh was an American film and television actor.Born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, McHugh came from a theatrical family. His parents ran a stock theatre company and as a young child he performed on stage...
as Ed Porter - Tim HoltTim HoltTim Holt was an American film actor perhaps best known for co-starring in the 1948 film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.-Early life:...
as Richard Saxel - Frank JenksFrank JenksFrank Jenks acid-voiced supporting actor, began in vaudeville and went on to a long career in movies and television, mostly in comedy. He was one of the more familiar faces and voices of the Hollywood Studio era. For almost ten years beginning in the early 1920s, Jenks was a song and dance man...
as Harry Niles - Esther DaleEsther DaleEsther Dale was an American actress, best known perhaps for her role as Aunt Genevieve in the 1935 Shirley Temple vehicle, Curly Top....
as Mrs. Smith - Samuel S. HindsSamuel S. HindsSamuel Southey Hinds was an American actor who is perhaps best remembered for playing Peter Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life and for his part in You Can't Take It With You , both films by Frank Capra...
as Felix Darren - Peggy StewartPeggy Stewart (actress)Peggy Stewart is an American film actress who starred mostly in B-movies during the 1930s and 1940s. Her sister, Patricia O'Rourke, was an Olympic swimmer, and was married to World War II hero and well known B-movie actor Wayne Morris.Stewart's career began when she was cast in the 1937 film Wells...
as Freda Smith - Nell O'DayNell O'DayNell O'Day was an accomplished equestrian and B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Prairie Hill, Texas, O'Day was a good looking woman in her youth, and had her first screen roles in the 1920s as a teenager.Her first starring role was in 1932 when she starred in Rackety Rax opposite...
as Elizabeth Saxel - Kitty O'Neil as Mrs. Dilling
- Nella Walker as Corinne Saxel
- Cecil CunninghamCecil CunninghamCecil Cunningham was an American film and stage actress. She appeared in more than 80 movies between 1929 and 1946...
as Mrs. Miller - Marjorie GatesonMarjorie GatesonMarjorie Augusta Gateson , was a character actress in Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s....
as Mrs. Adams - Dale Winter as Miss Evans