Back Street

Director: Robert Stevenson

Overview

This tearjerker tells the tale of two ill-fated lovers who find true love with each other but find that fate and previous commitments forever force them to keep their love a secret. Their 28-year long affair begins in 1900, but must end because he is betrothed to another.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/07/2014
UPC:	0025192110177
Original Release:	1941
Language:	English
Time:	1:29:00
Sales rank:	62,316

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Charles Boyer	Walter Louis Saxel
Margaret Sullavan	Ray Smith
Richard Carlson	Curt Stanton
Frank McHugh	Ed Porter
Tim Holt	Richard Saxel
Frank Jenks	Harry Niles
Esther Dale	Mrs. Smith
Samuel S. Hinds	Felix Darren
Peggy Stewart	Freda Smith
Nell O'Day	Elizabeth Saxel
Kitty O'Neil	Mrs. Dilling
Nella Walker	Corinne Saxel
Cecil Cunningham	Mrs. Miller
Marjorie Gateson	Mrs. Adams
Dale Winter	Miss Evans
Walter Catlett	Bakeless
Dorothy Granger	Bit
Frank Skinner	Composer

Technical Credits

Bruce Manning

Felix Jackson

Frank Shaw	Producer
Bruce Manning	Producer,Screenwriter
Felix Jackson	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Soap opera may be a pejorative term, but when it's as well done as Back Street, who cares what it's called? Granted, those who are turned off by "weepies" might as well look elsewhere, for Back Street is pure sudsy melodrama. Also, those who are offended by a double standard by which women are long suffering at the hands of their men should also steer clear, as Margaret Sullavan suffers mightily for the man she loves. But for those who revel in the conventions of the genre, this version of Back Street is a masterpiece, superior to both the 1932 and 1961 versions. And truth to tell, while the film is soap opera deluxe, it also exerts a certain restraint. Director Robert Stevenson certainly deserves a good deal of credit for this, finding a remarkable balance between the extremes of the genre and the demands of good drama. But the real credit for the film's success lies with its tortured leading duo, Sullavan and Charles Boyer. The suave, debonair, slightly dangerous Boyer has such charisma that one almost believes a woman would sacrifice her life for him, based on the briefest of meetings. And Sullavan is a sheer treasure here, tragically noble as required, yet infusing the part with a credibility that is absolutely crucial. The leads give "star" performances of such a high order that it's easy to overlook the exceptionally fine work from Richard Carlson and Frank McHugh. Those ready for a heart-rending romance will find Back Street right up their alley.