Only Yesterday (1933): Cast & Plot
Only Yesterday is a 1933 romantic drama directed by John M. Stahl, starring Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Wall Street Bootblack (Uncredited), Jane Darwell and Margaret Sullavan. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- John M. Stahl
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Only Yesterday About?
The premise of Only Yesterday without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the aftermath of the 1929 Wall Street crash, a disillusioned young businessman, on the brink of suicide, discovers a thick envelope on his desk. As he reads the letter addressed to him, the narrative flashes back to World War I, recalling his fateful encounter with Mary Lane and the events that shaped his life.
Only Yesterday Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- suffagette aunt
- son out of wedlock
- prissy party guest
- pre code film
- seduction
- scandal
- despair
- prohibition era
- new york city
- state of virginia
- stock footage
- playboy
+38 more Show fewer
- army furlough
- one night stand
- jazz age
- speakeasy
- cigarette smoking
- bootleg gin
- penthouse
- desperation
- fatal illness
- cigar smoking
- singer
- singing
- song
- interwar period
- new year's eve party
- girl
- young
- unwed mother
- world war one
- unwed pregnancy
- suicide note
- soldier
- single mother
- male female relationship
- lost love
- illegitimate son
- illegitimate pregnancy
- flashback
- dying
- businesswoman
- 1920s
- 1910s
- death of mother
- soap opera
- film debut
- episodic structure
- unprotected sex
- foreign language adaptation
Only Yesterday Cast & Characters
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones leads the cast as Wall Street Bootblack (Uncredited), with Jane Darwell as Mrs. Lane and Margaret Sullavan as Mary Lane. Directed by John M. Stahl; 71 actors are credited in all.
- Director John M. Stahl
- Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Wall Street Bootblack (Uncredited)
- Jane Darwell as Mrs. Lane
- Margaret Sullavan as Mary Lane
- John Boles as James Stanton "Jim" Emerson
Also Starring in Only Yesterday
· 67 more- Benita Hume Phyllis Emerson
- Billie Burke Julia Warren
- George Meeker Dave Reynolds
- James Flavin Billy (Uncredited)
- Reginald Denny Bob
- Berton Churchill Goodheart (Uncredited)
- Leon Ames Lee (Uncredited)
- Walter Catlett Barnes (Uncredited)
- Edna May Oliver Leona
- William H. O'Brien Nightclub Waiter (Uncredited)
- Larry Steers Parade Onlooker (Uncredited)
- Bert Moorhouse Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Leo White New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
- Dennis O'Keefe New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
- Sidney Bracey Second Butler (Uncredited)
- Ralph Brooks Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Show all 71 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Bill Elliott New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
- Franklin Pangborn Tom (Uncredited)
- Jason Robards Sr. Investor (Uncredited)
- Louise Beavers Abby (Uncredited)
- Grady Sutton Charlie Smith (Uncredited)
- Sam McDaniel Red Cap Porter (Uncredited)
- Arthur Hoyt Burton (Uncredited)
- Oscar Apfel Mr. Lane
- Eddie Kane Investor (Uncredited)
- Bert Roach Rex (Uncredited)
- Richard Tucker One of Jim's Friends (Uncredited)
- Joyce Compton Margot (Uncredited)
- Alphonse Martell Headwaiter (Uncredited)
- Dorothy Granger Sally (Uncredited)
- Barry Norton Jerry (Uncredited)
- Onslow Stevens Barnard
- Edgar Norton George (Uncredited)
- Crauford Kent Graves (Uncredited)
- Ruth Clifford Eleanor (Uncredited)
- Lafe McKee Father at Train Station (Uncredited)
- Dorothy Christy Rena (Uncredited)
- Robert McWade Harvey Miles
- Natalie Moorhead Lucy (Uncredited)
- Sheila Bromley May (Uncredited)
- Rafael Alcayde Party Guest (uncredited)
- Ferdinand Munier Harper (Uncredited)
- Betty Blythe Mrs. Vincent (Uncredited)
- Vivien Oakland Ethel (Uncredited)
- Florence Lake One of Jim's Friends (Uncredited)
- Craig Reynolds Hugh (Uncredited)
- Huntley Gordon Investor (Uncredited)
- Geneva Mitchell Patty
- Edmund Breese Investor (Uncredited)
- Marie Prevost Amy (Uncredited)
- Jerry Frank Party Guest (Uncredited)
- June Clyde Deborah
- Marion Byron Grace (Uncredited)
- Noel Francis Letitia
- Jimmy Butler Jim Jr.
- Maidel Turner Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Adrienne Marden Helen (Uncredited)
- Bramwell Fletcher Scott Hughes
- Gay Seabrook Toodie (Uncredited)
- Herbert Corthell Preston (Uncredited)
- Tommy Conlon Bob Lane (Uncredited)
- Churchill Ross Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Jeanne Sorel Lesbian (Uncredited)
- Lucille Powers Ruth (Uncredited)
- Jeanne Hart Betty (Uncredited)
- Jay Whidden Orchestra Leader
- Warren Stokes O.O. McIntyre (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.
Only Yesterday Plot Summary
What happens in Only Yesterday 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
On October 29, 1929, several New York City society figures are reeling from the stock market crash. They converge at the home of James Stanton Emerson, John Boles, for a cocktail party, each reacting to the news in their own way. Emerson arrives late, now bankrupted, and slips away to his office, intending to end his life. As he writes a goodbye note, a letter waiting for him is opened—it is from Mary Lane, Margaret Sullavan, a woman from his past he has long forgotten.
Full summary
The whole story of Only Yesterday, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Only Yesterday?
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
Which actress portrays Mary Lane in the film?
Only Yesterday Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Une nuit seulement” and “恍若昨日”.
- Also known as
-
- Une nuit seulement
- 恍若昨日
- Parece que fue ayer
Seen Only Yesterday?
Movies Like Only Yesterday
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including After Tomorrow, Lady with a Past and My Past.
Only Yesterday FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Only Yesterday, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Only Yesterday?
Only Yesterday runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Only Yesterday released?
Only Yesterday was released on November 1, 1933.
Who directed Only Yesterday?
Only Yesterday was directed by John M. Stahl.
More films by John M. Stahl Who is in the cast of Only Yesterday?
Only Yesterday stars Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Wall Street Bootblack (Uncredited), Jane Darwell as Mrs. Lane and Margaret Sullavan as Mary Lane, among 71 credited actors.
Does Only Yesterday have a post-credit scene?
No. Only Yesterday has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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