Back Street

1h 47min

Drama

Romance

Ambitious but thwarted, Rae Smith meets handsome Marine Paul Saxon, (of the Saxon department store chain), as he passes through Lincoln, Nebraska, on his way home from World War II. There's a definite spark between them but circumstances intervene and he leaves town without her. Later she learns he's married. Determined to make it as a fashion designer, Rae moves to New York and becomes a great success. One day she happens to meet Paul again and again there's that spark but he's still married so, as a form of escape, Rae moves to Rome to set up shop. Once again she meets Paul and finally they begin an actual affair since Paul's shrewish, drunken wife, Liz, won't give him a divorce. Time passes, the affair continues whenever time and place permit, but then, Paul's young son finds out about Rae and Rae's back-street world begins to crumble.

Production Companies

Ross Hunter Productions

Carrollton Inc.

Cast

Susan Hayward

Susan Hayward

Rae Smith
John Gavin

John Gavin

Paul Saxon
Vera Miles

Vera Miles

Liz Saxon
Charles Drake

Charles Drake

Curt Stanton
Virginia Grey

Virginia Grey

Janey nee Smith
Robert Eyer

Robert Eyer

Paul Saxon Jr.
Natalie Schafer

Natalie Schafer

Mrs. Evans
Doreen McLean

Doreen McLean

Miss Hatfield
Alex Gerry

Alex Gerry

Mr. Venner
Karen Norris

Karen Norris

Mrs. Penworth
Hayden Rorke

Hayden Rorke

Charley Claypole
Mary Lawrence

Mary Lawrence

Marge Claypole
Joseph Cronin

Joseph Cronin

Airport Clerk
Ted Thorpe

Ted Thorpe

Hotel Clerk
Joseph Mell

Joseph Mell

Proprietor
Sheryl Deauville

Sheryl Deauville

Model (uncredited)

Release date

11th Oct 1961

Status

Released

Spoken languages

English