1 post tagged “stella dallas”
What is the most interesting class you have ever taken?
Submitted by Melissa.
By far, it would have to be an Introduction to Cinema class taught by the famed Dr. Drew Casper (I must warn you, it's rumored that he has written his own wiki entry). It's a required course for all students entering the Film Production and Cinematic Studies majors at the University of Southern California.
His demeanor was a bit over the top for me. Professor Casper performed/taught as if he were in a silent film, flailing about dramatically to express his intended message. However, he has such a commanding voice such actions were unnecessary and distracted me from the notes I was frantically scribbling.
What I enjoyed most about the class were the films to which I was exposed. My all-time favorite was a screening of a film directed by King Vidor released in 1937. A film called Stella Dallas.
The story begins with Stella, a poor young girl searching for love (or money). As fortune has it, she reads in the paper about a rich eligible bachelor for whom her brother works. She weasels her way into his life and quickly they tie the knot and her rich, joyous life begins.
Eventually, the couple go on to have a daughter. Being that the daughter is not shiny and new, Stella finds it difficult to care for daughter as she does for her new clothes. As time goes on, Stella blossoms into motherhood and gives all her life and love to her daughter to the point where her daughter's happiness is more important than her own. That's all I'm saying, I can't give the ending away!!
If you want to see an entire room full of women cry, show them this film.
Reviews on the professor and the course (CTSC-190) can be found at the USC professors website.
