Back Street (1941)

Pretty Rae Smith and handsome Walter Saxel meet, fall in love and make plans to marry. Unfortunately, their marriage plans get sabotaged when a jealous beau makes Rae miss the ceremony. The... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Fannie Hurst (novel), Bruce Manning (screenplay),

Stars:

Charles Boyer, Margaret Sullavan, Richard Carlson

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
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

Storyline

Pretty Rae Smith and handsome Walter Saxel meet, fall in love and make plans to marry. Unfortunately, their marriage plans get sabotaged when a jealous beau makes Rae miss the ceremony. The two meet many years later in New York, only now Walter is married. Refusing to be shut out of his life, Rae agrees to be Walter's mistress.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | mistress | clothing industry | ostracism | traveling salesman | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Esquina do Pecado

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 24, 1951 with Charles Boyer reprising his film role.

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Connections

Version of Back Street (1961)

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Soundtracks

"Auld Lang Syne"
(uncredited)
Traditional Scottish music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Sung by New Year's Eve party revellers

User Reviews

"Back Street"

Margaret Sullavan is one of my all-time favorite actresses with her husky voice and haunting screen presence. The original version in 1932 with Irene Dunne and John Boles was dull and stage-bound; the later version with Susan Hayward was just too gaudy. This is the version to watch!

Margaret gives an exquisitely heart-rending performance as a turn-of-the-century miss who falls in love with a man (played by the smooth but oh-so-serious Charles Boyer). Fate intervenes and the two lovers are separated. They meet again years later, but, true to the classic weeper formula, he is married. Despite her better judgment, she carries on a "Back Street" romance with him for many years until their untimely demises.

Promoted with the tag line, "If you have tears, be prepared to shed them", this movie does involve some suspension of disbelief. For example, for such a level-headed gal, why does Margaret allow Boyer to treat her so shabbily? Just when I am about to shake my head and yell "Why?", Margaret then either let loose with the tears or try to hide the choking sob in her voice, and I'm transfixed all over again.

This film does feature solid direction, beautiful photography and some good supporting performances (I particularly liked Frank McHugh in this one). This film remains on my "Wish-They-Release-This-One-on-Video" list.