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.
Costume
Edith Head's designs scream 'successful mistress' in every scene.
Acting
Susan Hayward's side-eye alone deserves its own Oscar category.
Production
Rome locations make back-street suffering look suspiciously aspirational.
Director
David Miller
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the third adaptation of Fannie Hurst's novel—1932 starred Irene Dunne, 1941 starred Margaret Sullavan. Susan Hayward reportedly hated comparisons.
The 'back street' affair film peaked in the Production Code era because adultery could be shown if punished; Rae's destruction is practically contractual.
US
