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Back Street , one of the most popular and endearing love stories of all-time, has been brought to the silver screen several times over the years. Based on the bestselling novel by Fannie Hurst ( Imitation of Life ), Back Street is a quintessential tearjerker in which a couple meets and falls in love but is unable to marry due to impossible circumstances. However, despite their situation, they carry on a lifelong illicit affair until tragedy strikes. The 1941 version of Back Street , directed by Robert Stevenson ( Mary Poppins ), stars Margaret Sullavan and Charles Boyer with vivid supporting roles by Richard Carlson, Frank McHugh and Tim Holt. Variety deemed the effort "a class A production" that packs a "hefty dramatic punch" with a 1942 Academy Award® nominated score by Frank Skinner.
Original Release
02/07/1941
US Release
02/07/1941
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Charles Boyer | Walter Saxel / Walter Louis Saxel |
| Margaret Sullavan | Ray Smith |
| Richard Carlson | Curt Stanton |
| Frank McHugh | Ed Porter |
| Tim Holt | Richard Saxel |
| Frank Jenks | Harry Niles |
| Esther Dale | Mrs. Smith |
| Samuel S. Hinds | Felix Darren |
| Peggy Stewart | Fredda Smith / Freda Smith |
| Nell O'Day | Elizabeth Saxel |
Directors
Writers
Bruce Manning, Felix Jackson, Fannie Hurst
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Charles Boyer | Walter Saxel / Walter Louis Saxel |
| Margaret Sullavan | Ray Smith |
| Richard Carlson | Curt Stanton |
| Frank McHugh | Ed Porter |
| Tim Holt | Richard Saxel |
| Frank Jenks | Harry Niles |
| Esther Dale | Mrs. Smith |
| Samuel S. Hinds | Felix Darren |
| Peggy Stewart | Fredda Smith / Freda Smith |
| Nell O'Day | Elizabeth Saxel |
| Kitty O'Neil | Mrs. Dilling |
| Nella Walker | Corinne Saxel |
| Cecil Cunningham | Mrs. Miller |
| Marjorie Gateson | Mrs. Adams |
| Dale Winter | Miss Evans |
| Eddie Acuff | Andy |
| Dorothy Adams | Mrs. Brown |
| William Alston | Reporter |
| Charles Arnt | Mr. Mason |
| Herbert Ashley | Gus - The Headwaiter |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Bruce Manning | Producer |
| Frank Shaw | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1942 | Oscar | Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture | Nominated |
