The third remake of Fanny Hurst's "Back Street" got a glossy treatment by producer Ross Hunter, a man who had a knack tor giving the public, especially the female viewers, an escape in which to live their fantasies in a couple of hours at the movies. This version was tailor made for it star Susan Hayward, an actress that always lived to what was expected of her.
Rae Smith, the ambitious fashion designer from the provinces shows she had what it took to make it to the top. In the process she gets the attention of handsome, and debonair Paul Saxon, a rich man who was married to Liz, a woman who made his life miserable. Rae, who realizes from the start Paul's situation, made the right move to go away to New York to start her meteoric career. As fate would have it, Paul would never get a divorce, so instead, he met Rae in Rome, Paris, or London to steal away a few hours of happiness.
The film, as directed by David Miller, does not emphasize the melodramatic aspects of the story. Instead, the screenplay, written by Eleanore Griffin and William Ludwig, although full of clichés, changed the story to fit the settings. One thing is never clear. Paul, a marine officer, is coming home from a war, but which one, one wonders. Was it Korea? Rae's career goes from being a 7th avenue 'garmento' to the high fashion echelons as though by magic. There is a funny scene when Paul and Rae show at the airport in London and on the p.a. system an announcement is heard of a flight arriving from Calcutta, Karachi and Australia. There are inconsistencies in the writing, but these were minor details probably no one thought anything about them.
Susan Hayward made a spunky Rae without even trying. She was an accomplished actress as seen in the film. John Gavin's Paul was not as relaxed as his co-star. He does not make a good impression as the lover. Vera Miles was bitchy enough, as her role demanded. Charles Drake, Virginia Grey, Reginald Gardiner, Hayden Rorke, and Natalie Schafer were featured among the supporting players.
Stanley Cortez, the cinematographer, gets glossy pictures as required by the producer. Frank Skinner's schmaltzy musical score is a variation on Brahms third heard throughout the film.
Rae Smith, the ambitious fashion designer from the provinces shows she had what it took to make it to the top. In the process she gets the attention of handsome, and debonair Paul Saxon, a rich man who was married to Liz, a woman who made his life miserable. Rae, who realizes from the start Paul's situation, made the right move to go away to New York to start her meteoric career. As fate would have it, Paul would never get a divorce, so instead, he met Rae in Rome, Paris, or London to steal away a few hours of happiness.
The film, as directed by David Miller, does not emphasize the melodramatic aspects of the story. Instead, the screenplay, written by Eleanore Griffin and William Ludwig, although full of clichés, changed the story to fit the settings. One thing is never clear. Paul, a marine officer, is coming home from a war, but which one, one wonders. Was it Korea? Rae's career goes from being a 7th avenue 'garmento' to the high fashion echelons as though by magic. There is a funny scene when Paul and Rae show at the airport in London and on the p.a. system an announcement is heard of a flight arriving from Calcutta, Karachi and Australia. There are inconsistencies in the writing, but these were minor details probably no one thought anything about them.
Susan Hayward made a spunky Rae without even trying. She was an accomplished actress as seen in the film. John Gavin's Paul was not as relaxed as his co-star. He does not make a good impression as the lover. Vera Miles was bitchy enough, as her role demanded. Charles Drake, Virginia Grey, Reginald Gardiner, Hayden Rorke, and Natalie Schafer were featured among the supporting players.
Stanley Cortez, the cinematographer, gets glossy pictures as required by the producer. Frank Skinner's schmaltzy musical score is a variation on Brahms third heard throughout the film.