Back Street (1932): Cast & Plot
Back Street is a 1932 romantic drama directed by John M. Stahl, starring Irene Dunne as Ray Schmidt, Jane Darwell and Paul Weigel. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- John M. Stahl
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Back Street About?
The premise of Back Street without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A gripping drama that showcases powerful emotional appeal, adapted from one of America’s foremost novelists. Featuring an outstanding cast of star performers, it follows a woman whose love and devotion to a married man lead her to be pushed into the “back streets” of his life, exploring themes of sacrifice, longing, and the hidden costs of forbidden affection.
Back Street Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- love
- remade
- marriage
- waltzing
- marriage proposal
- pipe smoking
- man proositions a woman
- woman wears a veil
- reference to prohibition
- derby hat
- burn victim
- woman on fire
+38 more Show fewer
- extramarital affair
- man rests his head on a woman's lap
- hansom cab
- cheating husband
- love triangle
- bamboo cane
- stepsister stepsister relationship
- pre code film
- year 1932
- mother slaps her daughter
- reference to henry ford
- engaged couple
- reference to santa claus
- horse and trolley
- dear john letter
- pokies
- horseless carriage
- straw hat
- flirting
- man touches a girl's face
- hand cranked starter
- 1900s
- brother sister relationship
- horse drawn carriage
- beer hall
- stepmother stepdaughter relationship
- underage drinking
- platinum blonde
- adultery
- parasol
- skyscraper construction
- kept woman
- mistress
- roulette
- uncle niece relationship
- ocean voyage
- woman slaps a man
- head bandage
Back Street Cast & Characters
Irene Dunne leads the cast as Ray Schmidt, with Jane Darwell as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt and Paul Weigel as Adolph Schmidt. Directed by John M. Stahl; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director John M. Stahl
-
Irene Dunne as Ray Schmidt - Jane Darwell as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt
- Paul Weigel as Adolph Schmidt
- June Clyde as Freda Schmidt
Also Starring in Back Street
· 30 more- George Meeker Kurt Shendler
- William Bakewell Richard Saxel
- John Boles Walter D. Saxel
- Maude Turner Gordon Mrs. Saxel (uncredited)
- Arletta Duncan Beth Saxel
- Doris Lloyd Corinne Saxel
- James Flavin Reporter (uncredited)
- Walter Catlett Bakeless
- Jack Chefe Casino Onlooker (uncredited)
- Zasu Pitts Mrs. Dole
- Bob Burns Horsecar Driver (uncredited)
- Jim Farley Horsecar Conductor (uncredited)
- Rolfe Sedan Croupier (uncredited)
- Grace Hayle Lady in Street (uncredited)
- Russell Hopton Reporter (uncredited)
- James Donlan Profhero
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Symona Boniface Lady at Casino (uncredited)
- Gloria Stuart Young Woman (uncredited)
- Robert McWade Uncle Felix
- Betty Blythe Gossip (uncredited)
- Gene Morgan Reporter (uncredited)
- Mahlon Hamilton Minor Role (uncredited)
- Shirley Grey Francine
- Caryl Lincoln Minor Role (uncredited)
- Rose Dione Minor Role (uncredited)
- Rosalie Roy Minor Role (uncredited)
- Virginia Pearson Minor Role (uncredited)
- Beulah Hutton Minor Role (uncredited)
- Suzanne Wood Minor Role (uncredited)
- Tom Karrigan Minor Role (uncredited)
More from John M. Stahl
More films directed by John M. Stahl: Oh, You Beautiful Doll, Father Was a Fullback, The Walls of Jericho and The Foxes of Harrow.
Back Street Plot Summary
What happens in Back Street from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set in the early 1900s in Cincinnati, Ray Schmidt, Irene Dunne, is a striking young woman who splits her days between her father’s shop and late-night socializing, drinking beer and dancing with various men. Her stepmother, Jane Darwell, disapproves of this lifestyle, and Ray treats dating as light amusement rather than a path to commitment. One option she rejects is Kurt Shendler, who runs a bicycle shop near Ray’s family business and dreams of entering the automobile industry; Kurt, George Meeker, asks for her hand, but Ray does not share his romantic feelings and declines the proposal.
Full summary
The whole story of Back Street, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Back Street?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the young woman who splits her time between her father's shop and late‑night socializing?
Back Street Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “In der Seitengasse” and “Histoire d'un amour”.
- Also known as
-
- In der Seitengasse
- Histoire d'un amour
- La usurpadora
- Seitenwege des Lebens
- La donna proibita
Seen Back Street?
Movies Like Back Street
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Back Street, Back Street and Street of Women.
Back Street FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Back Street, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Back Street?
Back Street runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Back Street released?
Back Street was released on August 4, 1932.
Who directed Back Street?
Back Street was directed by John M. Stahl.
More films by John M. Stahl Who is in the cast of Back Street?
Back Street stars Irene Dunne as Ray Schmidt, Jane Darwell as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt and Paul Weigel as Adolph Schmidt, among 34 credited actors.
Does Back Street have a post-credit scene?
No. Back Street has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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