“Imitation of Life” is one of the earliest films to deal directly with the issue of race in America. This is the story of a young light skinned woman who has trouble accepting her mixed-race background, specifically her black mother. Director John M. Stahl (“Magnificent Obsession” 1935) did an outstanding job at the helm of the film, sensitively telling this complex story from a well-penned screenplay by William J. Hurlbut, adapted from Fannie Hurst’s 1933 novel of the same name.
Marvelous performances abound in this film classic. Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington stand out at the head of the cast as the aforementioned mother and daughter. Claudette Colbert is the star of the show playing Beavers’ sympathetic friend. Co-stars include Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, Ned Sparks, Henry Armetta, Wyndham Standing, Juanita Quigley, and Alan Hale as Martin the Furniture Man.
Marilyn Knowlden, who played Colbert’s eight-year-old daughter, was born in 1926, and is still alive and kicking, and considered to be one of the last surviving members of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Most of her film appearance were between 1931 and 1944. Another child actress, Jane Withers, was in her fifth movie role. Her film career lasted from 1932 to 2002.
“Imitation of Life” was popular at the box office for producer Carl Laemmle Jr. and Universal Pictures. (Laemmle was the son of the founder of Universal.) The film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Assistant Director, and Best Sound. A remake of “Imitation of Life” from producer Ross Hunter was released in 1959 starring Lana Turner, John Gavin, and Sandra Dee.
Imitation of Life (1934)
cinema
My Review
“Imitation of Life” is one of the earliest films to deal directly with the issue of race in America. This is the story of a young light skinned woman who has trouble accepting her mixed-race background, specifically her black mother. Director John M. Stahl (“Magnificent Obsession” 1935) did an outstanding job at the helm of the film, sensitively telling this complex story from a well-penned screenplay by William J. Hurlbut, adapted from Fannie Hurst’s 1933 novel of the same name.
Marvelous performances abound in this film classic. Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington stand out at the head of the cast as the aforementioned mother and daughter. Claudette Colbert is the star of the show playing Beavers’ sympathetic friend. Co-stars include Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, Ned Sparks, Henry Armetta, Wyndham Standing, Juanita Quigley, and Alan Hale as Martin the Furniture Man.
Marilyn Knowlden, who played Colbert’s eight-year-old daughter, was born in 1926, and is still alive and kicking, and considered to be one of the last surviving members of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Most of her film appearance were between 1931 and 1944. Another child actress, Jane Withers, was in her fifth movie role. Her film career lasted from 1932 to 2002.
“Imitation of Life” was popular at the box office for producer Carl Laemmle Jr. and Universal Pictures. (Laemmle was the son of the founder of Universal.) The film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Assistant Director, and Best Sound. A remake of “Imitation of Life” from producer Ross Hunter was released in 1959 starring Lana Turner, John Gavin, and Sandra Dee.