Barbara Stanwyck is the ambitious, working class "Stella" who, determined to improve her lot in life, marries well-to-do "Stephen Dallas" (John Boles) and shortly afterwards they have a daughter "Laurel" (Anne Shirley). It doesn't take long before the couple become estranged and "Laurel" the sole focus of her mother's attentions. Nothing is too good for her, and in striving to give "Laurel" the best she gradually…