Back Street *** (1961, Susan Hayward, John Gavin, Vera Miles) – Classic Movie Review 7,001

Susan Hayward stars in the glossy 1961 romantic drama film Back Street – the third and least Universal Pictures version of the Fannie Hurst soap opera novel – perhaps most notable for the frocks by Jean Louis.

Director David Miller’s 1961 romantic drama film Back Street is the third and least Universal Pictures version of the Fannie Hurst soap opera novel, following Back Street (1932) and Back Street (1941). It is beautifully shot in oddest, most unreal Eastmancolor by Stanley Cortez, but it is perhaps most notable for the frocks by Jean Louis, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design, Color.

It is a typically glossy, escapist production from Ross Hunter, with Susan Hayward pulling out all the stops as aspiring designer Rae Smith, the woman who loves and loses her married man Marine Paul Saxon (John Gavin), thanks to the efforts of his enraged drunken wife Liz Saxon (Vera Miles). Of course this being a Ross Hunter production, Hayward suffers only in the heights of luxury, sumptuously gowned in gorgeous Jean Louis gowns, in the style of Lana Turner in Imitation of Life and Madame X.

Updating 30-year-old material to the Sixties proves a mistake since does not make it seem any fresher, in fact it makes it seem much staler. If Hayward gives it her very considerable all, Gavin is only a handsome and dashing co-star, but rather wooden in the early Rock Hudson style. Back Street (1961) is proof that Hollywood found it much more difficult to make the big romantic drama picture in the Sixties.

But, over the years, this ‘woman’s film’ has certainly acquired a camp retro attraction and allure, helping its continuing popularity.

The score is by Frank Skinner, who also scored the 1941 version of Back Street.

The old 1931 material has a complete overhaul 30 years later. The screenplay by Eleanore Griffin and William Ludwig is the least faithful to the novel of the Universal films, changing the names of characters and updating the story, with attempted suicide and fatal car crash added to spice up the drama.

Universal Pictures again give it a plush production, with lovely cinematography (in oddest, most unreal Eastmancolor) by Stanley Cortez, score by Frank Skinner, and art direction by Alexander Golitzen.

Also in the cast are Charles Drake, Virginia Grey, Reginald Gardiner, Natalie Schaefer, Tammy Manhugh, Robert Eyer, Doreen McLean, Alex Gerry, Karen Norris, Hayden Rorke and Mary Lawrence.

Back Street is directed by David Miller, runs 107 minutes, is made by Ross Hunter Productions and Carrollton Inc, released by Universal Pictures, is written by Eleanore Griffin and William Ludwig, based on the novel by Fannie Hurst, is shot in Eastmancolor by Stanley Cortez, is produced by Ross Hunter, is scored by Frank Skinner, and is designed by Alexander Golitzen.

Release date: 11 October 1961.

Gavin and Miles also appeared together in the rather more memorable Psycho (1960) as Janet Leigh’s boyfriend and sister.

John Gavin (1931–2018).

RIP John Gavin, star actor in Psycho, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Spartacus, who died on 9 February 2018, at 86. He won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer – Male for A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958).

The cast are Susan Hayward as Rae Smith, John Gavin as Paul Saxon, Vera Miles as Liz Saxon, Charles Drake as Curt Stanton, Virginia Grey as Janie, Reginald Gardiner as Dalian, Tammy Marihugh as Caroline, Robert Eyer as Paul Saxon Jr, Natalie Schafer as Mrs Evans, Doreen McLean as Miss Hatfield, Alex Gerry as Mr Venner, Karen Norris as Mrs Penworth, Hayden Rorke as Charley Claypole, and Mary Lawrence as Marge Claypole,

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7,001

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com