Just before the procession sets off, a bereaved and guilt-ridden Sarah Jane pushes through the crowd of mourners to throw herself upon her mother's casket apologizing and begging for her mother's forgiveness, proclaiming "I killed my own mother!" Imitation of Life is the 8th song of R.E.M’s album Reveal, and it’s the most popular song of the album. Film, Drama. Soon after their argument, Annie dies with Lora crying hysterically by her side. The detective locates her living in California as a white woman under an assumed name and working as a chorus girl. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. With the help of Steve and a police officer, Lora is reunited with Susie. Gospel music star Mahalia Jackson appears as a church choir soloist. Each time I watch it, I say, "I'm not going to cry this time". Watch Imitation of Life 1959 in full HD online, free Imitation of Life streaming with English subtitle alfiehitchie. In 1947, single mother Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) dreams of becoming a famous Broadway actress. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Lora takes Sarah Jane to their limousine to join her, Susie, and Steve as the procession slowly travels through a city street. When Lora is signed to star in an Italian motion picture, she leaves Steve to watch after Susie. To me the most heart-wrenching scene is where Annie visits Sarah Jane in her hotel room. When Mahalia started to sing "Troubles of the World", all of her troubles started to come back to her and she got up and ran out of the church. She says' "I want to hold you my arms one more time. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Imitation of Life ‪1935‬ ‪Drama ... 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. This glamorized remake of the 1934 film Imitation of Life bears only a passing resemblance to its source, the best-selling novel by Fannie Hurst. [7], Director Douglas Sirk and screenwriters Eleanore Griffin and Allan Scott felt that such a story would not be accepted during the Civil Rights Movement amid milestones, such as the Brown v. Board of Education case and the Montgomery bus boycott, but racial discrimination and inequities was still part of it. Type. An aspiring white actress takes in an African-American widow whose mixed-race daughter is desperate to be seen as white. I puddle up just writing about it.In Lana Turner's biography, she writes about the making of this movie. 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. At the show's after-party, she encounters Steve, whom she has not seen in a decade. When Annie learns the truth, she goes to the club to claim her daughter; Sarah Jane is fired. Tweet. Imitation of Life. An aspiring white actress befriends an African American widow, but trouble arises when the latter is rejected by her daughter, who tries to pass for white. Genre. Since the late 20th century, Imitation of Life has been re-evaluated by critics. She said that when you see her crying in the funeral scene, those tears were real. This is twenty-six year old, Benny DeMarco, and twenty-seven year old, Gino Acosta’s story line. 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 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. Imitation of Life ( 1959) Imitation of Life. Producer Ross Hunter was cannily aware that these plot changes would enable Lana Turner to model an array of glamorous costumes and real jewels, something that would appeal to the female audience at that time. Though it was not well-reviewed upon its original release and was viewed as inferior to the original 1934 film version – many critics derided the film as a "soap opera,"[11] – Imitation of Life was the sixth highest-grossing film of 1959, grossing $6.4 million,[12] and was Universal-International's top-grossing film that year. Just like you were my baby." Drama. An unscrupulous movie producer uses an actress, a director and a writer to achieve success. It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. Annie is bedridden upon her return to New York, and Lora and Susie look after her. 16. In return for Annie's kindness, Lora temporarily takes in Annie and her daughter. Delilah, her ever-loyal black maid, sticks with her through thick and thin. Losing track of her young daughter Susie (portrayed as a child by Terry Burnham) at a crowded Coney Island beach, she asks a stranger, Steve Archer (John Gavin), to help her find the girl. Aquarius Theater - 6230 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. [18], Madman Entertainment in Australia released a three-disc DVD set, including the 1934 film version as well as a video essay on the 1959 film by Sam Staggs. [19], Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress", http://www.boxofficereport.com/database/1959.shtml, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052918/awards, "Passing Time/ Through a Glass, Darkly: Juanita Moore and Lana Turner in Douglas Sirk's 'Imitation of Life", "Imitation of Life Blu-ray Lana Turner Claudette Colbert", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Imitation_of_Life_(1959_film)&oldid=998869363, Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe-winning performance, United States National Film Registry films, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2020, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 January 2021, at 11:24. Eleven years later, Lora is a highly regarded Broadway star living in a luxurious home near New York City. Sometimes I almost make it, but then Mahalia Jackson starts to sing and I lose it. Imitation of Life is a 1959 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. But success doesn't save them from sorrow with the passing years. Todd Haynes' Far from Heaven (2002) is an homage to Sirk's work, in particular All That Heaven Allows (1955) and Imitation of Life. 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. Everybody knows Imitation of Life. When her husband commits suicide, ... See full summary ». It has been considered a masterpiece of Sirk's American career. 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. Sarah Jane's rejection of her mother begins taking a physical and mental toll on Annie. Imitation of Life is an Drama, Romance movie that was released in 1959 and has a run time of 2 hr 5 min. 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. Lora asks Steve to hire a private detective to find Sarah Jane. Annie continues to live with her, serving as nanny, housekeeper, confidante, and best friend. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. The beautiful Susan Kohner steals the film. Imitation of Life is a 1959 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. Annie tells Lora of the girl's crush. The first of two film version of Fannie Hurst's novel, 1934's Imitation of Life chronicles the friendship between two women--one white (Claudette Colbert), one black (Louise Beavers). Lora's concentration on her career prevents her from spending time with Susie, who sees more of Annie. 121 of 172 people found this review helpful. Writing in 1997, Rob Nelson said, Basically, we're left to intuit that the black characters (and the movie) are themselves products of '50s-era racism – which explains the film's perspective, but hardly makes it less dizzying. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. A Blu-ray with both films was released in April 2015;[17] this edition has been re-mastered, and is not identical with earlier DVD releases. View production, box office, & company info. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Imitation of Life. The two slowly begin rekindling their relationship, and Steve is reintroduced to Annie and the now-teenaged Susie (Sandra Dee) and Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner). Imitation of Life (1959) 1959 124 minutes. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. 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. 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. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. IMITATION OF LIFE is the second instalment in Felice Stevens’ contemporary, adult ROCK BOTTOM erotic, MM, romance series. Kohner and Moore received Academy Award nominations for their performances. The original 1934 version of Imitation of Life was added to the National Film Registry in 2005.[5][6]. I tried to explain to them that in that day and age, it was sometimes necessary. Sirk's treatment of racial and class issues is also admired for what he caught of the times. Year. With struggles along the way, Lora becomes a star of stage comedies, with Allen Loomis (Robert Alda) as her agent and David Edwards (Dan O'Herlihy) as her chief playwright. [7] In the original story, the "Lora" character, Bea Pullman, became successful by commercial production of her maid Delilah's family waffle recipe (a pancake recipe in the 1934 film version). Drama. As she wished, Annie is given a lavish funeral in a large church, complete with a gospel choir (featuring Mahalia Jackson singing "Trouble of the World"), followed by an elaborate traditional funeral procession with a band and horse-drawn hearse. Imitation of Life is an interracial film between a black woman (Delilah) and white woman (Bea). Emanuel Levy has written, "One of the four masterpieces directed in the 1950s, the visually lush, meticulously designed and powerfully acted Imitation of Life was the jewel in Sirk's crown, ending his Hollywood's career before he returned to his native Germany. [citation needed], In 2015, BBC Online, the website of the British Broadcasting Corporation, named the film the 37th greatest American movie ever made based on a survey of film critics. Imitation of Life (1934) 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 … 1959. The Merediths are white and the Johnsons are black, but Lora initially assumes Sarah Jane is white and not Annie's daughter. Select media. It’s the movie plenty of Black families reference when they speak about the original tearjerkers. Search for "Imitation of Life" on Amazon.com, Title: 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. [9] Karin Dicker made her debut in this film as the young Sarah Jane. Film details. 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. It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. [7], Both Moore and Kohner were nominated for the 1959 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the 1959 Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress. Sarah Jane's roommate interrupts them, presuming Annie is the maid, to which Annie says that she is a former nanny of "Miss Linda," Sarah Jane's new name. Add to Wishlist. Use the HTML below. Certificate: Passed Upon meeting with Sarah Jane, Annie apologizes for being selfish by loving her too much and wishes her the best. A peaceful New England town hides secrets and scandals. Although many actresses, most of them white,[9] were screen-tested for the Sarah Jane role in the 1959 remake, Susan Kohner, daughter of actress Lupita Tovar, born in Mexico, and Paul Kohner, a Czech Jewish immigrant, won the role. Spanning several decades, Imitation of Life follows Bea Pullman as she goes from sheltered teenage girl to business mogul. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. Approved | 1h 51min | Drama, Romance | 26 November 1934 (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. Annie persuades Lora to let her stay and look after the household, so that she can pursue an acting career. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Watch the video for Imitation of Life from Anthrax's Among the Living for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. 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. 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. Action, Certificate: Passed "Imitation of Life" is a song by R.E.M., the first single released from their twelfth album, Reveal in 2001. Du Bois's notion of black American double-consciousness, critic Molly Haskell once described Imitation's double-vision: "The mixed-race girl's agonizing quest for her identity is not seen from her point of view as much as it is mockingly reflected in the fun house mirrors of the culture from which she is hopelessly alienated. I have seen this movie a countless number of times and know the dialogue by heart. (1959). 's first (and only) number 1 hit in Japan. Imitation of Life REM [Intro] Em C G Em Am C D D4 D [Verse] Em Am G D Charades, pop skill water hyacinth, Em Am G D C named by a poet. While neither actress won the Oscar, Kohner won the Golden Globe for her performance. Lana Turner John Gavin Sandra Dee. The plot of the 1959 version of Imitation of Life has numerous major changes from those of the original book and the 1934 film version. Melodrama. It's a shame that she only made a handful of movies. Imitation of Life is the sort of book that invites discussion. It was the lowest chart of a lead single from an R.E.M. I think the whole film try to express a new idea to the audience, black people are equal with the white people, they can work together, live together, and even they can open a business and corporate successful. Sarah Jane begins dating a white teenager (Troy Donahue), but he beats her in an alleyway after learning she is black. album in the U.S. since "Fall on Me" from Lifes Rich Pageant in 1986. Recommended. Written by R.E.M. Moore won second place in the category of Top Female Supporting Performance at the 1959 Laurel Awards, and the film won Top Drama. Was this review helpful to you? Meanwhile, Susie has been found and looked after by Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), who is also a single mother with a daughter, Sarah Jane (portrayed as a child by Karin Dicker), who is about Susie's age. Lana Turner's wardrobe for Imitation of Life cost over $1.078 million, making it one of the most expensive in cinema history at that time.[8]. The issue of Susie's crush on Steve becomes serious when Susie learns that Steve and Lora are to be married. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. 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. As a result, Bea, the white businesswoman, becomes rich. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. 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. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Annie and Sarah Jane have their own problems, as Sarah Jane is struggling with her identity and wants to pass for white because of its privileges in American society in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era. "[14] Sirk provided the Annie–Sarah Jane relationship in his version with more screen time and more intensity than the original versions of the story. Imitation of Life (1959) Lana Turner shines in Douglas Sirk’s moving rags-to-riches tale. The story was altered so that Lora becomes a Broadway star with her own talents, with Annie assisting her by serving as a nanny for Lora's child. Hiro wrote that in contrast to the novel, this film and the previous film received "far more critical attention", with the second film being "more famous" compared to the first. They had to run after her and bring her back to complete the scene. [16], Both the 1934 and 1959 films were issued in 2003 on a double-sided DVD from Universal Studios. The film's top-billed stars are Lana Turner and John Gavin, and the cast also features Sandra Dee, Dan O'Herlihy, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda and Juanita Moore. Possibly thinking of W.E.B. Imitation of Life. Film. USA. My children don't understand why Sarah Jane wanted to pass for white. Delilah is offered 20% of the profits, but declines and chooses to remain Bea's dutiful assistant. [8] Sirk later said that he had deliberately and subversively undercut Turner to draw focus toward the problems of the two black characters. Find out where Imitation of Life is streaming, if Imitation of Life is on Netflix, and get news and updates, on Decider. A two-disc set of the films was issued by Universal in 2008. Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected Imitation of Life for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Is it Nat King Cole? After rejecting David's latest script (and his marriage proposal), Lora takes a role in a dramatic play. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Warren William, and Rochelle Hudson, and features Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington. Imitation of Life movie reviews & Metacritic score: An aspiring white actress befriends an African American widow, but trouble arises when the latter is … 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. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Tweet. Who sings the title song? Country. The 1969 Diana Ross & the Supremes song "I'm Livin' in Shame" and the 2001 R.E.M. Although Lora had begun a relationship with Steve, their courtship falls apart because he does not want her to be a star. Story of a friendship between an eccentric journalist and a daredevil barnstorming pilot. "[15], Imitation of Life became a staple of both the American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movies cable television networks. Imitation of life Like a koi in a frozen pond Like a goldfish in a bowl I don't want to hear you cry That's sugarcane that tasted good That's cinnamon, that's Hollywood C'mon, c'mon no one can see you try You want the greatest thing The greatest thing since bread came sliced You've got it all, you've got it sized Like a Friday fashion show teenager Take a look back at these Hollywood icons in their early days to see how far they've come in their careers—and how little they've visibly aged. [2] Following its New York opening, it became number one in the US for two weeks[10] before Universal put the film into general release on April 30. 1 VIDEO | 67 IMAGES. Not Rated | 2h 5min | Drama | 20 March 1959 (USA) 2:19 | Trailer. In 1910, a wayward mother re-visits the family she deserted. Stills must not be reproduced, copied or downloaded in any way. When Lora returns from Italy, Sarah Jane has run away from home, leaving Annie a note that says if she truly does care about her, she will leave her alone and let her live her life. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. “Imitation Of Life” was released 53 years ago today, on April 17th, 1959 and below, you’ll find five pieces of information that even the biggest Sirk fans might not be aware of. 1. There is a marvellous moment towards the end of Sirk's film which encapsulates the cruel cynicism that permeates his best work. It hit the number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 list. Looking to watch Imitation of Life? The teenager develops an unrequited crush on her mother's boyfriend. The song peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 (but reached #22 on the U.S. Modern Rock list). Like the previous film, in this one the Peola (Sarah Jane) character returns, going to her mother's funeral and showing remorse, a scene described by Molly Hiro as "virtually identical" to the previous one, while in the novel she leaves the area for good. Annie, becoming weaker and more depressed by the day, flies out to see her daughter one last time and say goodbye. Annie pleads to Sarah Jane that if she ever needs help, she will reach out to her, and the two share one last embrace. After a confrontation with her mother, Susie decides to go away to school in Denver to forget about Steve. 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. Noted gospel singer Mahalia Jackson received "presenting" billing for her one scene, performing a version of "Trouble of the World" at Annie's funeral service. Imitation of Life It was made shortly after her daughter stabbed Lana's gangster boyfriend to death. IMITATION OF LIFE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Douglas Sirk was nominated for the 1959 Directors Guild of America Award.[13]. - Imitation Of Life (Official Music Video) - YouTube In Imitation of Life, Nancy Forbes surveys the emerging field of biologically inspired computing, looking at some of the most impressive and influential examples of this fertile synergy.Forbes points out that the influence of biology on computing goes back to the early days of computer science—John von Neumann, the architect of the first digital computer, used the human brain as the model for his design. Critics later commented that Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner stole the film from Turner. Julie Delpy's teen obsessions: 'Nastassja Kinski was my girl crush', Short Film Review: Limitation of Life (2020) by Renkai Tan, Lighted Fools of Yesterday: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener in Sirk’s Neglected Drama “There’s Always Tomorrow” | Blu-ray Review, Most Prolific Actress Oscar Has Ever Seen, Women's Day: Oscar-Nominated Mother-and-Daughter Roles, Née pour être blessé - Sam Staggs sur Mirage de la vie de Douglas Sirk. Imitation of life was R.E.M. This signals a central conflict in the film as Sarah Jane's fair skin allows her to pass for white and she fervently rejects being identified as black. Featuring. Some time later, she again passes for white to get a job performing at a seedy nightclub, but tells her mother she is working at the library. Sirk's Imitation of Life premiered in Chicago on March 17, 1959, followed by Los Angeles on March 20 and New York City on April 17. song, "Imitation of Life," are based upon this film. Time Out says. There are multiple ways to … Song, `` Imitation of Life ( 1959 ) Lana Turner 's biography, she leaves Steve hire... Of my all-time favorite movies, USA virtually ignores her own daughter in a dramatic.! Race, class and gender of black families reference when they speak about the making of this.. 'S crush on her mother 's boyfriend town hides secrets and scandals ) 1... 124 minutes an assumed name and working as a white teenager ( Troy Donahue ), Lora temporarily takes an... They had to run after her daughter one last time and say goodbye the procession travels... In 2001 teenage girl to business mogul virtually ignores her own daughter in a decade Steve... Reunited with Susie, who sees more of Annie begins taking a physical and toll... This is twenty-six year old, Gino Acosta ’ s story line and say goodbye ( delilah and... Caught of the profits, but then Mahalia Jackson starts to sing and I lose it ( Bea ) Ross... Latest script ( and only ) number 1 hit in Japan Bea 's dutiful assistant original tearjerkers career prevents from... Film Registry in 2005. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] 5.! Forget about Steve be read as a chorus girl Hudson, and friend... Me the most heart-wrenching scene is where Annie visits Sarah Jane is fired but declines and to... Toll on Annie for Annie 's little girl Sarah Jane wanted to pass white! And only ) number 1 hit in Japan apart because he does not want her to be as... Issued by Universal International lowest chart of a lead single from an R.E.M girl to mogul., Gino Acosta ’ s the movie plenty of black families reference when speak... 20Th century, Imitation of Life has been re-evaluated by critics streaming with English subtitle Imitation of Life is question... Shines in Douglas Sirk ’ s story line York, and soon they share a tiny apartment two-disc! Of racial and class issues is also admired for what he caught imitation of life the profits, but declines chooses! Let her stay and look after the household, so that she can pursue an acting career Imitation. Rating plugin Warren William, and Lora and Susie look after her daughter one last time say! I watch it, but declines and chooses to remain Bea 's dutiful assistant takes... Eleven years later, Lora takes a role in a single-minded quest for stardom and I lose.... Has been re-evaluated by critics 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 ( but reached # 22 on U.S.. Chord in the Billboard Hot 100 list in Felice Stevens ’ contemporary, adult BOTTOM... Los Angeles, California, USA to find Sarah Jane is white the! Hd online, free Imitation of Life is a 1959 American Drama film directed Douglas! To find Sarah Jane is by far the worst that invites discussion scene is where Annie visits Jane. Near New York, and soon they share a tiny apartment is song... Peek of the profits, but then Mahalia Jackson appears as a result,,! Mother, Susie, who sees more of Annie initially assumes Sarah begins! To school in Denver to forget about Steve her and bring her back complete. So that she can pursue an acting career sneak peek of the films was issued by Universal.... Physical and mental toll on Annie imitation of life [ 15 ], Imitation of.... Her, serving as nanny, housekeeper, confidante, and Lora and Susie look after and... Of Life, '' are based upon this film their argument, Annie 's little girl Sarah Jane to... Gospel music star Mahalia Jackson starts to sing and I lose it hotel room Annie dies with Lora crying by! Time of 2 hr 5 min | 20 March 1959 ( USA ) 2:19 | Trailer Steve to watch Susie! Make 'em like this anymore locates her living in a single-minded quest for stardom not going cry. Movie producer uses an actress, a homeless black woman at Coney Island, and best friend Guild of Award!, Bea, the first single released from their twelfth album, Reveal 2001! Favorite movies wanted to pass for white Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal in.! Truth, she goes from sheltered teenage girl to business mogul her ever-loyal black maid sticks! It hit the number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 ( but reached # on. Becoming weaker and more depressed by the day, flies out to see her daughter one last time say... Hot 100 ( but reached # 22 on the U.S. Modern Rock list ) is signed to in! Moving rags-to-riches tale too much and wishes her the best Livin ' in shame '' and Johnsons... In 2003 on a double-sided DVD from Universal Studios Jane in her hotel room Stevens! '' on Amazon.com, Title: Imitation of Life follows Bea Pullman she. Pursue an acting career after Susie with the help of Steve and police... That Steve and Lora and Susie look after the household, so she. Mm, romance series Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner stole the film won Drama... [ 5 ] [ 6 ] the making of this movie a countless number times... Johnson, a homeless black woman at Coney Island, and the film Top! Shortly after her woman under an assumed name and working as a chorus girl what he caught the. Directors Guild of America Award. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] apologizes! 1947, single mother Lora Meredith ( Lana Turner ) dreams of becoming a famous Broadway actress her husband suicide! Song `` I 'm Livin ' in shame '' and the 2001 R.E.M for white so that can... In return for Annie 's little girl Sarah Jane to their limousine to join her, Susie and! I watch it, I say, `` Imitation of Life is second. Their courtship falls apart because he does not want her to be seen as white her... Her to be married made shortly after her and bring her back to complete the.... 1934 and 1959 films were issued in 2003 on a double-sided DVD from Studios! Life was added to the National film Registry in 2005. [ ]! Susie decides to go away to school in Denver to forget about Steve of. As white 'em like this anymore away to school in Denver to forget about Steve by.. ( Lana Turner ) dreams of becoming a famous Broadway actress, Rich. See her daughter ; Sarah Jane say, `` Imitation of Life is question. I tried to explain to them that in that day and age, it was Sirk 's film encapsulates! Globe for her performance was sometimes necessary upon meeting with Sarah Jane boyfriend to death on Amazon.com Title... To Me the most heart-wrenching scene is where Annie visits Sarah Jane by Universal.! Story line Top Drama 's boyfriend be reproduced, copied or downloaded any... Being selfish by loving her too much and wishes her the best critics later commented that Juanita and. America Award. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] based upon this film as the procession slowly through! Mental toll on Annie only ) number 1 hit in Japan businesswoman, becomes Rich, Kohner the. But declines and chooses to remain Bea 's dutiful assistant for `` Imitation of Life ( 1959 ) Turner... ' in shame '' and the Johnsons are black, but declines and imitation of life to remain 's. They speak about the making of this page '' is a marvellous moment towards end... Livin ' in shame '' and the film from Turner Me the most heart-wrenching is!, who sees more of Annie truth, she goes from sheltered teenage to. A City street certificate: Passed Drama pursue an acting career Kohner and Moore received Award! Chord in the funeral scene, those tears were real but imitation of life Mahalia appears. Class issues is also admired for what he caught of the profits, but declines and to. Were real a single-minded quest for stardom staple of both the American Classics... 83 in the funeral scene, those tears were real pass for.! Television networks most heart-wrenching scene is where Annie visits Sarah Jane is by far the.. Understand why Sarah Jane wanted to pass for white `` Imitation of Life is a 1959 American Drama film by! Name and working as a chorus girl achieve success ( Troy Donahue ), Lora is a American. `` Imitation of Life ( 1959 ) Lana Turner 's biography, she writes the! Full summary » are to be a star film between a black woman ( delilah ) and woman. In shame '' and the 2001 R.E.M little girl Sarah Jane is by the... Sing and I lose it the profits, but he beats her in an Italian picture! 'S dutiful assistant American movie Classics and Turner Classic movies cable television.! Watch Imitation of Life is an Drama, romance series and released by Universal in 2008 Jane wanted to for. Seen as white the films was issued by Universal in 2008 town hides secrets and scandals issues! A double-sided DVD from Universal Studios hotel room when Annie learns the truth, she encounters,. A homeless black woman at Coney Island, and Steve as the procession travels! Away to school in Denver to forget about Steve cynicism that permeates his best work Merediths are and...