When a toy manufacturer feels ignored and unappreciated by his wife and children, he begins to rekindle a past love when a former employee comes back into his life. Written by However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. Imitation of Life is a 1959 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. “We didn’t know,” says a schoolteacher to Annie when she comes looking for her daughter in the woman’s classroom. As others have pointed out, IMITATION OF LIFE is an important film for many reasons. Passing, a commonly used term especially in the African American community, “occurs when a member of one racial category assumes the ethnicity of another (Alkon, 2012)”. An upper-class widow falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth nurseryman, much to the disapproval of her children and criticism of her country club peers. I would love to have an in depth discussion about this book and each film adaptation and how the experience of these characters were affected by the construct of the time period and gender and racial bias. With storylines tackling racism, romance, family, success and tragedy, Imitation of Life is a powerful story that still resonates with audiences today. The movie exposes the complicated relationship between mothers raising girls into women and how each daughter finds the other's mother a better parent for different reasons. 5 out of 5 stars (409) 409 reviews $ 5.95. As for the movie, a drama classic. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Sign in to see videos available to you. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2019. Story of a friendship between an eccentric journalist and a daredevil barnstorming pilot. And yes, for modern readers, there’s an uncomfortable undercurrent of racism. Imitation of Life is drunk on the lies and gross assumptions of its characters and the way they feed off of deceptive surfaces. The movie mirrors much of my/our life...me putting other people and things before my relationship with my children. It hit the number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 list. Video availability outside of United States varies. This VHS arrived way ahead of schedule and was in very good condition. TMDb Score. I am older now and view the films with a new point of view. Imitation of Life is the 8th song of R.E.M’s album Reveal, and it’s the most popular song of the album. Which I would never have brought this was not made clear in the description when I brought this, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2012. One is white the other is black. Travelling or based outside United States? They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Imitation of Life (1934) Full Cast & Crew. All performers are great including headliners Lana Turner and John Gavin, but the real stars of this movie are Juanita Moore and Susan Koehner. - Imitation Of Life (Official Music Video) - YouTube. It was a story of courage, unconditional love, unrequited love, consequences , and of course identity. The song peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 22 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Imitation of Life She told me it is one of the best movies she has ever seen. On February 2, 1959, Hollywood Reporter reprinted the following wire sent by LA Tribune editor Almena Lomac to numerous white publications: "Imitation of Life...is a libel on the Negro race. So it must be put in it's historical context to be fully appreciated.This film marked a crossroads not only for American society, but for the acting profession as well. I purchased another copy, just finished watching it again. May 20, 2011 | Full Review… BIG PRICE, for old movie? From shop newtmcknz. As Lora becomes rich and successful there is the added complication that her boyfriend, who she strings along while in between rushing off to make new films, becomes ever closer to daughter Susie, now growing up fast. There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. While its narrative reveals how problematic the representation and depiction of people of color was in 1934, this film It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. It is the story of two strong women trying to raise their famililes. It was released on April 23, 2001, in Europe and on May 8, 2001, in the United States as the lead single from the band's 12th studio album, Reveal (2001). A rich playboy whose recklessness inadvertently causes the death of a prominent doctor tries to make amends to his widow, and falls for her in the process. “Imitation of Life” (John M. Stahl, 1934), based on Fannie Hurst’s ac-claimed novel, was a defining moment in the history of women in film and a watershed moment for African-American casting in Hollywood. Artistic license, and it suits the splendor of the movie. The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united first in mutual need, then success and ultimately, in heartache in this Academy Award-nominated Best Picture. I was moved emotional and intellectually . The Imitation of Life is one of the most powerful cinematic displays of racial passing in movie history. Take a look ahead at all the major movie releases coming to theaters and streaming this season. On the Russian front in 1944 German Private Ernst Graeber receives a leave and visits his family in Germany but Germany isn't the same country he left behind. I think she was one of the most talented actors to ever leave the business for married life.IMITATION OF LIFE is one of those rare films that gets better every time I see it. I could argue that it's not as sappy and melodramatic as it's reputed to be. Based on the eponymous novel by Fannie Hurst, it weaves several narratives together. Imitation of Life (1959) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Lane Turner plays widowed Lora who is just starting out as an actress. The Imitation of Life: 2-Movie Special Edition includes both versions of the film: the original 1934 Best Picture nominee starring Claudette Colbert and the 1959 masterpiece starring Lana Turner. Movies about Race and the need to renounce one's cultural identity don't come much better than this movie. This movie had me crying so deeply and helped me to see that there is nothing more important than nurturing and loving our children and giving them what no other person can. IMITATION OF LIFE w/Claudette Colbert & Baby Jane/Juanita Quigley 1935 Gallaher Famous Film Scenes #22 Cigarette Card newtmcknz. I am happy to say that although my daughter and son did not have what they needed as children, they have become encouraging and loving parents to their own children. A time when bigotry and racism was actually acceptable. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. I really thought Sandra Dee was too perky to be taken seriously until that scene. Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers are superb as Bea and Delilah, two women with young daughters who build a life and a fortune together selling Delilah's pancake recipe. My mother had me watch this movie back in the 1060’s as a child, I never forgot this movie, as she wanted me to learn from it. Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019. It's the message of not hiding who you are and not living a lie just to please other people that resonates with gay men. However, I think I'll save those discussions for when I see it again. " Imitation of Life " is a song recorded by American alternative rock band R.E.M.. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Warren William, and Rochelle Hudson, and features Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington. This self-effacement keeps her and her daughter relatively safe in a racist world, but Sarah Jane is acutely aware of the humiliation and restrictions, and is determined from an early age to escape the horror of Annie's fate. Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister. If you haven't seen it, please do...and don't forget the tissues. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 87. Select the department you want to search in. By contrast, Lana Turner and Juanita Moore seemed to be of the old school of melodramatic acting. The interaction between the daughters and mothers is complicated by the limitations of the times as it relates to being a woman and the differences in racial experience. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation, Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. Even after 5 times, I still cry my heart out! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. The racial drama is very poignant and includes threads like the sexualization of the 'exotic' daughter Sarah Jane as a matter of course and the 'natural' self-effacement of her mother Annie, who never, ever wants or demands anything for herself. Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. Imitation of Life is still a potent onion. Although I enjoyed both and have viewed them many times. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. If you’re a fan of soap operas you’ll want to check this one out. Although the role of Annie is less integral to Laura's success in business (the concept changed from pancake batter business they started together) to a more servant role as her maid, the Annie character is presented less subserviently heee. Action, Certificate: Passed Imitation of Life is a 1959 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. It's very moving though, especially the scenes where Sarah-Jane rejects her mother - whoever said it was a three-hanky movie was right. The screenplay by William Hurlbut, based on Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne. I could argue that John Gavin's performance was better than a lot of people say. It is a glimpse at the past and an invitation to think about the present and future. Whilst in the original film, the "imitation of life" was just a reference to Peola's (in this film, Sarah Jane) desire to pass for white, in this film, three out of the four main characters have been living their own imitations of life. I could go into how it's also about a single mother's struggle for independence in 1950's male dominated society. Very disappointed was in a foreign language, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018, Very disappointied with this dvd when it arrived I couldn’t wait to watch it on reading the back of the dvd I found it to be in a foreign language!!! Use the HTML below. An aspiring white actress takes in an African-American widow whose mixed-race daughter is desperate to be seen as white. Editorial Reviews. The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, Fannie Hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, Fannie Hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. not the best value. Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. Imitation of Life is available to watch free on Peacock. Lora (Lana Turner) persues fame and fortune as an actress whilst neglecting the ones she really loves; Sarah Jane (Susan Kohler) passes as white not to gain better social rights but to persue false ideals of "white beauty"; and Lora's daughter Suzy (Sandra Dee) nurses a hopeless crush on her mother's boyfriend, Steve (John Gavin). Seeing it again recently, I was reminded of the top three reasons why it has earned a cult following among women, African Americans and gay men. Imitation of Life is the sort of book that invites discussion. so hilarious. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. Imitation of Life (1959) "Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!" When passed before the moviegoer's eyes, it may force theater owners to install aisle scuppers to drain off the tears. The original theatrical release print of Imitation of Life featured different title cards, including a title card containing a brief prologue, which read: "Atlantic City, in 1919, was not just a boardwalk, rolling-chairs and expensive hotels where bridal couples spent their honeymoons. 74. Directed by (1) Writing credits (12) Cast (65) Produced by (2) Music by (1) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (2) Art Direction by (1) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (4) Production Management (1) Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (2) Also, anyone serious about an acting career should study Susan Kohner's amazing performance. (1959). This film was one of the first to expose the cultural divide between black and white in America. Imitation of Life is a remake of a 1934 film, based on a 1933 novel. There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. I had my now grown daughters watch this when they were teens. In 1910, a wayward mother re-visits the family she deserted. Imitation grabs you by the heart and doesn't let up until the ending credits roll. Imitation of Life. Several of their scenes near the end of the movie had me choked up and that never happens! 112 of 171 people found this review helpful. Lora's daughter Susie can play with Annie's daughter Sarah-Jane. Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner seemed to be of the new school of method acting. Being a white woman having bi-racial children, I wondered about my daughters fascination with this movie. Watching this movie will make you a better human being, Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019. MCU fans, here are some streaming picks to watch while you wait for the next episode of "The Falcon and the Winter Solider. Perhaps this is why the older actors come off as far less believable than the younger one's do. Certificate: Passed The one problem with the film is that Annie seems to be languishing and on the point of death in many later scenes, and I thought there might be trouble ahead with boyfriend and Susie. Annie is desperate for a place to live and offers to work as Lora's maid for food and lodging. Imitation of Life (1934) $3.99 $13.99 Available at a lower price from other sellers that may not offer free Prime shipping. Imitation of Life is a popular 1933 novel by Fannie Hurst that was adapted into two successful films for Universal Pictures: a 1934 film, and a 1959 remake.It deals with issues of race, class, and gender. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. I have much enjoyed IMITATION OF LIFE, the '59 Lana Turner version by Douglas Sirk. My mother showed it to me when I was a tween and it marked the beginning of my love of old movies--particularly the black and white ones from the 40s & 50s. Only Annie (Juanita Moore), Sarah Jane's black mother and Lora's maid/friend, lives a real life by her loving devotion to the other three. When her husband commits suicide, ... See full summary », Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation. When she meets Annie (played by Juanita Moore), who comes to work as her housekeeper, it seems a perfect arrangement. Imitation of Life (1959) (2,013) IMDb 7.9 2h 5min 1959 X-Ray 16+ Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. The great director Douglas Sirk's Imitation of Life, a spectacular, sprawling melodrama, follows a widowed aspiring actress (Lana Turner) and a homeless single mother (Juanita Moore) who raise their daughters together.While the actress's rise to Broadway stardom at the cost of true love gives the first half of the film a romantic arc, the relationship between the two … Imitation of Life isn't always subtle, but even as it tugs at the heartstrings, this socially conscious melodrama effectively explores Jim Crow-era racial taboos. Imitation of Life is the second film adaptation of Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name; the first, directed by John M. Stahl, was released in 1934. I guess that's because it's important on more levels than you can take in on a single viewing. This is a MUST see movie. Neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't like being Black; since she's light-skinned (her father was practically white), she spends the rest of the film trying to pass as white, much to her mother's heartache and shame. Imitation of Life (1934) (2,662) IMDb 7.5 1 h 51 min 1934 13+ The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united in need, success, family and heartache in this original version of the classic story starring Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers. For women, it's all about letting go of a child and allowing them to live their own life. For African Americans, it's a reminder of how much they've had to struggle for equality in American society. I wish everyone could see this movie. The movie was originally made in 1934 with a remake in 1959. Drama. Aquarius Theater - 6230 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter; the two women start a successful business, but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way. It libels our children and the Negro mother [and] should be banned in the interest of national unity, harmony, peace, decency and inter-racial respect. The problem being, that Sarah-Jane passes as white but Annie is black. Sundance Review: Tessa Thompson & Ruth Negga In Rebecca Hall’s ‘Passing’, Julie Delpy's teen obsessions: 'Nastassja Kinski was my girl crush', And the Oscar should have gone to... 1959, Most Prolific Actress Oscar Has Ever Seen, Women's Day: Oscar-Nominated Mother-and-Daughter Roles. I watched the 1934 film in the class African Americans in Film taught by Carmen Coustaut when I was an undergrad at the University of Arkansas. Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019. She steals the show in a role that would be a challenge for any young actress. I Cry Like the First Time Every Time I Watch This Movie, Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018. The film gets four stars for the title alone. Imitation of Life Annie Johnson (1959) The Kid Kenny's Grandmother (2000) Unfortunately the devotion is rejected by Sarah Jane. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. Was this review helpful to you? er “Imitation of Life,” first filmed in 1934 (National Film Registry 2005 inductee), would fly in the late '50s until producer Ross Hunter suggested Lana Turner as the star. A Movie That Demonstrates While Things Have Changed, Nothing Has Changed When It Comes to Race in America, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2018. Compared to Lana Turner, she's Katherine Hepburn! The 1959 perspective allowed me to see a more in-depth aspect of the characters that I missed in the early film. An unscrupulous movie producer uses an actress, a director and a writer to achieve success. In trying to do so by seeking to pass as white, she can't but deny her mother, which is the tragedy at the heart of the movie. Lana Turner gives a good performance as a then out of work actress (a mother herself,) who takes in the Black lady and her daughter and brought them along as she becomes a successful actress and movie star. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. They both make the best of their situations and help each other through decades of life. ", Search for "Imitation of Life" on Amazon.com, Title: alfiehitchie. This movie came out and was set in 1959. In 1947 at Coney Island, down-on-her-luck actress Lora Meredith and her young daughter Susie meet African American Annie Johnson and her daughter Sarah Jane. Imitation of Life. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2010. View production, box office, & company info. R.E.M. The movie it's self was great, one of my favourites, but very much over priced,(even though i upped the delivery, I'm not sure I'll be buying more. Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020. That really wasn't being addressed in the cinema up to that point. A young, impoverished German woman named Hanna (Maria von Tasnady) gives her infant up for adoption and emigrates to American to live with her husband. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. In what kind of car did Steve arrive at Susie's graduation party? Then she showed she could act by keeping it real. How these characters defined self-esteem and how that affected their decisions is a lesson learned. What is the arrangement between Lora and Annie? After helping a wounded gang member, a strong-willed female saloon owner is wrongly suspected of murder and bank robbery by a lynch mob. Demonstrates America's laws of Segregation and racist attitudes that created divisions between a black woman and her light-skinned daughter who was ashamed of her mother, her ethnic identity and pretended to be a 'White' as it was easier to do that, than admit she was the product of an interracial relation between her black mother and a white man. Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015. That's what makes Sandra Dee's line, "Oh mother, stop acting!" Being a child from a mixed marriage, this taught me a lot. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. She had recently been embroiled in a scandal lurid even by Hollywood standards, her Mafioso boyfriend Johnny Stompanato fatally stabbed by her under-aged daughter. And even afterward, you're not likely to forget this story. 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