Universal International Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Imitation of Life
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.
- Original title
- Imitation of Life
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
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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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Lana Turner
Lora Meredith
John Gavin
Steve Archer
Juanita Moore
Annie Johnson
Sandra Dee
Susie (16)
Susan Kohner
Sarah Jane (18)
Robert Alda
Allen Loomis
Dan O'Herlihy
David Edwards
Terry Burnham
Susie (6)
Ann Robinson
Showgirl
Troy Donahue
Frankie
Sandra Gould
Receptionist
Joel Fluellen
Minister
Jack Weston
Stage manager
Billy House
Fat Man on Beach
Maida Severn
Teacher
Than Wyenn
Romano
Peg Shirley
Fay
Mahalia Jackson
Choir Soloist
Bess Flowers
Geraldine Moore (uncredited)
Frank Baker
Party Guest
George Barrows
Furniture Mover
Chet Brandenburg
Man at Coney Island (uncredited)
George Calliga
Security
Steve Carruthers
Actor at Audition
Richard Collier
McKinney
Elinor Donahue
Lora's Friend
Adolf Eichmann
Himself (Archive Footage)
Cicely Evans
Louis Morton
Myrna Fahey
Iris Dawn
Nelson Leigh
Doctor
John McNamara
Doctor
Joseph Mell
Watchman
Eddie Parker
Cop at Funeral
Cosmo Sardo
Audience Member
Jeffrey Sayre
Audience Member
Cap Somers
Truck Driver
Napoleon Whiting
Kenneth, Lora's Butler
Jean Louis
Costume Designer
Bud Westmore
Makeup Artist
Douglas Sirk
Director
Ross Hunter
Producer
Frank Skinner
Original Music Composer
Henry Mancini
Original Music Composer
Fannie Hurst
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Mar 17, 1959
