Imitation of Life

1959 125 min ★ 7.5 Drama, Romance

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.

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Cast

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

Karin Dicker

Sarah Jane (8)

Terry Burnham

Susie (6)

John Vivyan

Young man

Details

Director

Douglas Sirk

Screenplay

Eleanore Griffin

Tagline

"Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!"

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Production

Universal International Pictures

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

January 24, 2023

★ 7/10

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 coup...

G

griggs79

September 23, 2024

★ 9/10

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 sup...