Back Street (1961)
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82% of users liked it
(196 ratings)
This third film version of the lachrymose Fannie Hurst novel Back Street stars Susan Hayward as Rae Smith the role previously essayed by Irene Dunne (in 1932) and Margaret Sullavan (in 1941). In both earlier films, Rae Smith sacrifices 28 years of her life to her married lover, who can never get a… More This third film version of the lachrymose Fannie Hurst novel Back Street stars Susan Hayward as Rae Smith the role previously essayed by Irene Dunne (in 1932) and Margaret Sullavan (in 1941). In both earlier films, Rae Smith sacrifices 28 years of her life to her married lover, who can never get a divorce and who compels Rae to squirrel herself away in a shabby back-street apartment. In contrast, Susan Hayward's Rae Smith is a fiercely independent fashion designer, whose fidelity to the very married John Gavin doesn't retard her livelihood in the least. Vera Miles makes a meal of her supporting role as Gavin's shrewish, alcoholic wife. Though cinematographer Stanley Cortez does his utmost, he can't completely hide the fact that Hayward is at least ten years older than her costars, making her seem more of a doting aunt than the "other woman" (the film might have been more effective had Hayward and Miles switched roles). Its plot inconsistencies and logic lapses notwithstanding, Back Street proved to be another hit for producer Ross Hunter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Miller
- Written By
- Eleanore Griffin, Fannie Hurst
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Oct 11, 1961 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The third version of Fannie Hurst's novel, filmed in 1932 and 1941, is the weakest: Susan Hayward may be too old and too tough for the part.
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Cast
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Susan Hayward
as Rae Smith
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John Gavin
as Paul Saxon
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Vera Miles
as Liz Saxon
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Charles Drake
as Curt Stanton
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Virginia Grey
as Janey nee Smith
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Reginald Gardiner
as Dalian
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Tammy Marihugh
as Caroline Saxon
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Robert Eyer
as Paul Saxon
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Natalie Schafer
as Mrs. Evans
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Alex Gerry
as Mr. Venner
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Karen Norris
as Mrs. Penworth
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Hayden Rorke
as Charley Claypole
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Mary Lawrence
as Marge Claypole
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Ted Thorpe
as Hotel Clerk
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Joseph Mell
as Proprietor
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Dick Kallman
as Sailor
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Joyce Meadows
as Model
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Lilyan Chauvin
as Paris Airport Employee
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Richard Eyer
as Paul Saxon Jr.
