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Universal International Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
griggs79
Sep 23, 2024 · via TMDB
Imitation of Life is a masterpiece that explores race, class, and privilege in 1950s America. Douglas Sirk's final Hollywood film masterfully contrasts the lives of Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) and Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), using their intertwining stories to expose the stark divides of the era. The emotional depth of Annie's relationship with her daughter, who chooses to pass as white, is super-emotional and heart-wrenching. Sirk's use of heightened drama not only serves as a critique of 1950s society's blind spots but also enlightens today's audience about the issues of the time. In the final act, with Mahalia Jackson's moving performance, the film delivers an emotionally shattering experience that cements its status as a timeless work of art. Flawless.
CinemaSerf
Jan 24, 2023 · via TMDB
Whilst Lana Turner is great in this family drama, the plaudits really ought to go to the sparing appearances of the hugely charismatic Juanita Moore. The latter woman is very much down on her luck, with her daughter "Sarah Jane", when she rescues the young "Susie", separated at the beach from her mother "Lora" (Turner). Not that she has much better prospects, but "Lora" takes in the destitute couple and that seems to act as her good luck charm. A budding actress, she finds herself slowly but surely - with the aide of the less than scrupulous "Loomis" (Robert Alda) - climbing up the greasy pole - without, it has to be said, compromising her integrity. The four march on as her star rises, but of course there is no pain, no gain. "Sarah Jane" (by now Susan Kohner) is of mixed-race, and as she struggles to fit in socially, she goes off the rails. Meantime, "Lora" has an on/off relationship with "Steve" (John Gavin) to whom, also, her daughter takes a bit of a shine too! It's not a melodrama, this film - it's a well crafted characterful drama that mixes comedy, aspiration, racial tension and love - in many different guises; and it delivers a thought provoking but still very entertaining look at 1950s America. Success always comes at a price, and much of Turner's excellence here comes from the fact that she plays a woman who almost glides through life without really appreciating how or why it impacts on her. It's only when the tragedies - yes there are a few - start to hit her square on, that she has to adjust to real life. Gavin was never really any better than eye candy, but here he does have an extra gear and there are strong contributions from both Kohner and Sandra Dee as the sixteen year old "Susie". Henri Mancini had a hand in the score of this lavish and complex story that really does allow the talent on screen to deliver some solid writing well and engagingly. Two hours just flies by.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Lana Turner
Lora Meredith
John Gavin
Steve Archer
Sandra Dee
Susie (16)
Susan Kohner
Sarah Jane (18)
Robert Alda
Allen Loomis
Dan O'Herlihy
David Edwards
Juanita Moore
Annie Johnson
Terry Burnham
Susie (6)
Ann Robinson
Showgirl
Troy Donahue
Frankie
Sandra Gould
Annette
Joel Fluellen
Minister
Jack Weston
Tom
Billy House
Fat Man on Beach
Maida Severn
Teacher
Than Wyenn
Romano
Peg Shirley
Fay
Mahalia Jackson
Choir Soloist
Frank Baker
Party Guest (uncredited)
George Barrows
Furniture Mover (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg
Man at Coney Island (uncredited)
George Calliga
Security (uncredited)
Steve Carruthers
Actor at Audition (uncredited)
Richard Collier
McKinney (uncredited)
Elinor Donahue
Lora's Friend (uncredited)
Cicely Evans
Louis Morton (uncredited)
Adolf Eichmann
Himself (Archive Footage)
Myrna Fahey
Iris Dawn (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Geraldine Moore (uncredited)
Nelson Leigh
Doctor (uncredited)
John McNamara
Doctor (uncredited)
Joseph Mell
Watchman (uncredited)
Eddie Parker
Cop at Funeral (uncredited)
Cosmo Sardo
Audience Member (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre
Audience Member (uncredited)
Cap Somers
Truck Driver (uncredited)
Napoleon Whiting
Kenneth - Lora's Butler (uncredited)
Jean Louis
Costume Designer
Bud Westmore
Makeup Artist
Douglas Sirk
Director
Ross Hunter
Producer
Frank Skinner
Original Music Composer
Henry Mancini
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Versus
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Four American Composers: Meredith Monk
1983
A Gander at Mother Goose
1940
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
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