Stella Dallas (1937)

Set in the post-war landscape of 1919 Massachusetts, Stella Martin, a vibrant woman of ambition, hails from a lower-class family of mill workers. Her dreams reach far beyond the industrial surroundings, tinted with a yearning for the glittering high society. She sets her sights on Stephen Dallas, a mill executive, and soon ascends into the world she had always coveted, becoming Stella Dallas. Their union blossoms into the birth of their daughter, Laurel, the new center of Stella's universe. Stella's demeanor, however, remains tinged with her humble origins, a fact that becomes glaringly apparent in her encounter with Ed Munn, a horse gambler, at a ritzy nightclub. This incident strains her marriage to Stephen, who eventually moves to New York for a better job, leaving Stella and Laurel behind in Massachusetts. As years unfurl, Laurel grows into a beautiful teenager, and Stella transforms into a devoted mother, her life revolving around her daughter's happiness. When Stephen crosses paths with his former fiancée, Helen Morrison, he requests a divorce from Stella, intending to return to his old flame. Yet, Stella's determination remains unshaken, her focus solely on providing Laurel with the best life possible. In an attempt to introduce Laurel to the world of wealth, Stella takes her to an expensive resort where Laurel mingles with the affluent youth. However, Stella's inability to fit into the high-class standards becomes a stark reality when her daughter overhears cruel comments about Stella's conduct. This revelation propels Stella towards a heart-rending decision, a sacrifice of unimaginable proportions, all in the name of her daughter's future. "Stella Dallas" explores a mother's unconditional love and the lengths she would go to ensure her child's happiness, even when it means tearing herself away from the center of her universe. The film is a poignant tale of sacrifice, love, and the quest for a better life, wrapped in the fabric of early 20th-century society.

Stella Dallas is a drama movie featuring Barbara Stanwyck.

Stella Dallas is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player and Pluto TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.