Stella Dallas

TCM's Alicia Malone introduces Stella Dallas, 1937.

TCM's Dave Karger introduces Stella Dallas, 1937.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces Stella Dallas, 1937.

Opening scene, Barbara Stanwyck (title character) setting her cap for impoverished society man Stephen (John Boles), then arguing with her working-class brother (George Wolcott), from King Vidor's Stella Dallas, 1937.

Some years after her last scene, Barbara Stanwyck (title character), still residing in industrial Central Mass., takes in sewing (Lillian Yarbo her maid/assistant), grumbles that her estranged successful New York husband sends books for the birthday of her daughter, who has grown up to be Anne Shirley, bringing her teacher (Ann Shoemaker) home to visit, in Stella Dallas, 1937.

New mother Barbara Stanwyck (title character) with working class pal Ed (Alan Hale), her background showing, as increasingly snooty husband Stephen (John Boles) returns home, in Stella Dallas, 1937.

Social climber Barbara Stanwyck (title character) at the movies with blue-blood Stephen (John Boles), who's charmed for now, early in King Vidor's Stella Dallas, 1937.