BACK STREET

[Hibi]

Irene's hair sure turned grey quickly. The shock of him dying?

[Bronxgirl48]

$200/mo. -- how much would that be in today's money?

[Bronxgirl48]

Irene's hair sure turned grey quickly. The shock of him dying?

Nah, she was grey before that, Boles too as they show a scene with the two of them (already together 25 years) canoodling on her couch. Still discreetly and tastefully of course, even for a pre-code.

[Bronxgirl48]

If only Rae had met his mother at the park all those years ago....

[Hibi]

If only Rae had met his mother at the park all those years ago....

LOL. That damn sister of hers! I would've dared her to off herself.

[Hibi]

Irene's hair sure turned grey quickly. The shock of him dying?

Nah, she was grey before that, Boles too as they show a scene with the two of them (already together 25 years) canoodling on her couch. Still discreetly and tastefully of course, even for a pre-code.

Yeah, there were some grey streaks, but I don't think she was totally white like in the last scene.

[Hibi]

$200/mo. -- how much would that be in today's money?

Any economists on the board???

[j.lunatic]

$200/mo. -- how much would that be in today's money?

Any economists on the board???

According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), $200 in 1932 would be $4,482.13 today. One could live on that today, but probably not in Manhattan. Also, Walter didn't always remember to pay this allowance.

One of my biggest pet peeves is films about intelligent women who fall in love with men who aren't worth the sacrifices they make. But it depends on how viewers look at this film--are they focusing on the great star-crossed romance, or the shabbiness of Ray's life while waiting for Walter to make time for her? And I wonder what contemporary readers and viewers thought of Ray rejecting a financially good marriage to Kurt.

[Hibi]

$200/mo. -- how much would that be in today's money?

Any economists on the board???

According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), $200 in 1932 would be $4,482.13 today. One could live on that today, but probably not in Manhattan. Also, Walter didn't always remember to pay this allowance.

One of my biggest pet peeves is films about intelligent women who fall in love with men who aren't worth the sacrifices they make. But it depends on how viewers look at this film--are they focusing on the great star-crossed romance, or the shabbiness of Ray's life while waiting for Walter to make time for her? And I wonder what contemporary readers and viewers thought of Ray rejecting a financially good marriage to Kurt.

I wouldn't mind living on that. I take home way less than that! Pretty comfy. Thanks for the calculation!

[Hibi]

But it's all for love! Ray didn't love Kurt. Not sure what I would've done, but I would've refused to live on the BACK STREET! I would've taken lovers on the side when Walter couldn't make time. And I wouldn't have given up my career either. I might have moved, but still kept my income. What's good for the gander....

[Bronxgirl48]

Irene's hair sure turned grey quickly. The shock of him dying?

Nah, she was grey before that, Boles too as they show a scene with the two of them (already together 25 years) canoodling on her couch. Still discreetly and tastefully of course, even for a pre-code.

Yeah, there were some grey streaks, but I don't think she was totally white like in the last scene.

You're probably right although I wouldn't want to watch this film again to find out, lol. Poor Rae, of course it was traumatic losing her beloved but I thought only severe trauma (like Marie Antoinette in the Bastille awaiting the axe) could make one's hair turn completely white in so short a time.

[Bronxgirl48]

$200/mo. -- how much would that be in today's money?

Any economists on the board???

According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), $200 in 1932 would be $4,482.13 today. One could live on that today, but probably not in Manhattan. Also, Walter didn't always remember to pay this allowance.

One of my biggest pet peeves is films about intelligent women who fall in love with men who aren't worth the sacrifices they make. But it depends on how viewers look at this film--are they focusing on the great star-crossed romance, or the shabbiness of Ray's life while waiting for Walter to make time for her? And I wonder what contemporary readers and viewers thought of Ray rejecting a financially good marriage to Kurt.

Thanks! Wow, that's quite a sum. And the son initially asked if it was weekly!

[j.lunatic]

Thanks! Wow, that's quite a sum. And the son initially asked if it was weekly!

Yes, that's nice money if you can get it. Earlier this week I watched Alimony Madness (1933), a Poverty Row potboiler about the wrongs of alimony. An architect, intending to do right by his first wife, agreed to give her $1,000 per month ($23,617.38 today). Then the scandal of the divorce drives away most of the architect's clients. He is repeatedly hauled into court, and thrown in jail at least twice for failing to pay.

[Hibi]

And tax free too!! (from Ray's standpoint).

[Bronxgirl48]

What I want to know is how Rae occupied herself all those years in between visits from lover boy. Since she voluntarily gave up a lucrative career, what filled her life apart from "romance" (i.e. sex with Walter) -- visits with family, friends, going to the movies, theatre, museums, shopping? Volunteer work for The Salvation Army down in the Bowery?