Stella (1990 film)

Stella
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Erman
Screenplay byRobert Getchell
Based onStella Dallas
1923 novel
by Olive Higgins Prouty
Produced bySamuel Goldwyn Jr.
Starring
CinematographyBilly Williams
Edited byJerrold L. Ludwig
Bud Molin
Music byJohn Morris
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution (North America)
The Samuel Goldwyn Company (International)
Release date
  • February 2, 1990 (1990-02-02)
Running time
109 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$19 million
Box office$20.2 million

Stella is a 1990 American drama film produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company and released by Touchstone Pictures. The screenplay by Robert Getchell is the third feature film adaptation of the 1923 novel Stella Dallas by Olive Higgins Prouty. Previous film versions were Stella Dallas (1937) and the silent film Stella Dallas (1925).

The title character is an extrovert, flamboyant single mother living in Watertown, New York, who is determined to give her daughter, Jenny, all of the opportunities that she never had, ultimately makes a selfless sacrifice to ensure her happiness. This film version differs from earlier versions in that Stella never marries the father of her child and in fact declines his proposal early in the film.

John Erman directed a cast that included Bette Midler as Stella and Trini Alvarado as Jenny, with John Goodman, Stephen Collins, Marsha Mason, Eileen Brennan, Linda Hart, Ben Stiller, and William McNamara in supporting roles.