Stella Dallas (1925)
Australian Premiere - 4K Restoration
“WHAT A PICTURE! Stella Dallas is truly a masterpiece. We unqualifiedly believe it to be one of the finest pictures ever produced. Frankly we doubt if it has ever been equalled and are sure that it has never been surpassed in the tremendous sweep of its emotional appeal or the poignancy of its soul-stirring drama of mother-love and sacrifice.” – C S Sewell, The Moving Picture World, November 28, 1925
The story is simple. The daughter of a factory worker, Stella, marries above her station, attempts to fit in with the upper crust, but is betrayed by her preference for beer, feathered hats, and practical jokes. At this point, her marriage to Stephen Dallas exists only in name, as the mismatched couple have separated. The only evidence of their brief union is daughter Laurel, who inherits her father’s refinement but lives with her vulgar mother. And therein lies the tragedy—Stella adores her daughter but is unwittingly damaging her, exhaling a cloud of bad taste that poisons her daughter’s future like second hand smoke. In the twisted logic of the movie’s day, Stella is the problem, not the snobbery of the upper class. Stella must give up her only child to save her.
The film will be presented accompanied by a soundtrack composed by Stephen Horne and recorded at the film’s 2021 restoration premiere at the Venice Biennale.
Introduced by Barrie Pattison at Ritz Cinemas and by Jake Wilson at Lido Cinemas.
Rating
PG
Duration
110 min
Country
United States
Language
English. Silent with recorded score.
Cast
Ronald Colman, Belle Bennett, Lois Moran
Director
Henry King
