I did NOT know there was a version of "Stella Dallas" before the 1937 one starring Barbara Stanwyck. And yet here is a silent film version from 1925 that tells the tell for the first time.
I am not sure why Ronald Coleman got top billing in this film. The film is owned and ruled by the great job Belle Bennett does. Bennett does a great job portraying the title character, Stella Dallas.
If you are familiar with the 1937 version then there will be no surprises for you here. The story is almost exactly the same.
Bennett wants to improve her social status and marries Coleman, but, just like Molly Brown, she can't separate from her upbringing and rough manners. Society does not accept her and they consider her to be a clown. They have a daughter played by Lois Moran. Moran is also exceptional as the daughter trying to hide how much of a joke her mother is.
If you are in the mood for a light tear jerker, then the ending, where Bennett realizes she is hurting her daughter's chances of improving in life and pushes her away, while make you tear up. She secretly attends her daughter's wedding watching outside a window in the rain and leaves weeping but happy that her sacrifice has not been in vain.
Check out this Classic and let me know your opinion of Belle Bennett's performance and the overall picture. It does a great job and all done without sound!! A true Classy Classic!
I am not sure why Ronald Coleman got top billing in this film. The film is owned and ruled by the great job Belle Bennett does. Bennett does a great job portraying the title character, Stella Dallas.
If you are familiar with the 1937 version then there will be no surprises for you here. The story is almost exactly the same.
Bennett wants to improve her social status and marries Coleman, but, just like Molly Brown, she can't separate from her upbringing and rough manners. Society does not accept her and they consider her to be a clown. They have a daughter played by Lois Moran. Moran is also exceptional as the daughter trying to hide how much of a joke her mother is.
If you are in the mood for a light tear jerker, then the ending, where Bennett realizes she is hurting her daughter's chances of improving in life and pushes her away, while make you tear up. She secretly attends her daughter's wedding watching outside a window in the rain and leaves weeping but happy that her sacrifice has not been in vain.
Check out this Classic and let me know your opinion of Belle Bennett's performance and the overall picture. It does a great job and all done without sound!! A true Classy Classic!