Carrie (1952)

In the quaint town of Columbia Clay, Missouri, young and innocent Carrie Meeber boards a train for Chicago, a wide-eyed dreamer yearning for a life that outshines her humble beginnings. Her journey is marked by an encounter with the charismatic fabric salesman, Charles Drouet, who gifts her his card, unknowingly becoming her lifeline in the harsh reality of city life. Arriving in Chicago, Carrie finds herself stitching shoes in a factory, her wages nearly consumed in exchange for a roof over her head provided by her sister's husband. A bout of misfortune sees her fired after an injury, her dreams shattered and her future uncertain. Just as hope seems to fade, she turns to the charming Drouet, whose invitation to a lavish dinner at Fitzgerald's, Chicago's most opulent restaurant, introduces her to the sophisticated George Hurstwood. As the middle-aged restaurant manager, Hurstwood is a figure of respect and authority, but beneath the polished exterior lies a man smitten by Carrie's naïveté and charm. Bereft of choices, Carrie moves into Drouet's apartment, becoming his lover, even as Hurstwood's affection for her grows. However, Hurstwood is trapped in a life he no longer desires, pressed by his wife and his employer to sever ties with Carrie. In a desperate move, he abandons his life, embezzling a fortune from the restaurant and fleeing to New York with Carrie, hoping to rebuild his life. Yet, the shadows of his past prove relentless, their cruel grip refusing to let go. In the midst of this turmoil, Carrie blossoms, transforming from a naive dreamer to a successful entrepreneur. As the train barrels towards New York, Carrie's tale begs the question: why is Hurstwood in such a hurry, and what awaits them in the city that never sleeps? This is the world of the 1890s, a time of ambition, desperation, love, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

Carrie is a drama movie featuring Charles Halton and directed by William Wyler.

Carrie is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on CBS and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Carrie on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store and YouTube.