Back Street (1961)

From David Miller, the acclaimed director of Sudden Fear, Midnight Lace, Lonely Are the Brave and Captain Newman, M.D., comes this quintessential tearjerker starring Susan Hayward (Rawhide, I Want to Live!) and John Gavin (Psycho, Thoroughly Modern Millie). Based on the bestselling novel by Fannie Hurst (Imitation of Life), Back Street tells the story of two people who meet and fall in love but are unable to marry due to impossible circumstances. However, despite their situation, they carry on a lifelong illicit affair until tragedy strikes. For this lush 1961 color version that garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design, producer Ross Hunter (All That Heaven Allows) teamed Hayward and Gavin as the star-crossed lovers with Vera Miles (23 Paces to Baker Street), Charles Drake (Harvey) and Virginia Grey (Portrait in Black) cast in prominent supporting roles.