This film was inspired by the novel Stella Dallas by Olive Higgins Prouty and was initially released in two parts, respectively in 79 minutes and 70 minutes of length. They were combined into one 91-minute film and re-released in 1950. The 1955 version is a remake and follows the story of a mother who was bullied by women of the higher class due to being like a fish out of water and abandons her home and family thinking it best for her daughter. She moves in with her male friend. She misses her daughter and hears her play the piano on the radio and surreptitiously at performances.