Imitation of Life
(1934)

Director: John M. Stahl

Key Cast: Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, Ned Sparks, Baby Jane, Alan Hale, Henry Armetta, Wyndham Standing, Marilyn Knowlden

Rating: Approved

Genre(s): Drama

In this Academy Award nominated Best Picture, Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers are superb as two women with young daughters who build a fortune together.  But success doesn’t save them from sorrow with the passing years.

Delilah’s light-skinned teenager rejects her mother and her race, while Bea must choose between the man she loves and the daughter who loves him, too.  Now all of them will pay the price of love in this spellbinding classic.

∙  This movie is based on the book, "Imitation of Life", by Fannie Hurst.  It was inspired by a road trip that she took to Canada with friend and acclaimed African-American short story writer, Zora Neale Hurston.

∙  Fredi Washington who plays Delilah’s daughter, Peola, is actually a light-skinned African-American woman. Because she played this role so well, many people in the African-American community thought that she actually didn’t like being black.  But this was not true as Ms. Washington was very active in civil rights organizations.

∙  Some critics felt that Louise Beavers should have been nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in this movie.

∙  "Imitation of Life" was made again in 1959 with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore in the title roles.  The storyline in the newer version was slightly revised.  The 1934 version of Imitation of Life is a more faithful adaptation of the original Fannie Hurst novel.

∙  Nominated for three 1935 Academy Awards:  Best Picture, Best Assistant Director (Scott R. Beal) and Best Sound

∙  Selected in 2005 to the Library of Congress National Film Registry

Buy the Imitation of Life Two-Movie DVD
This "Imitation of Life" DVD contains both versions of
the movie "Imitation of Life" that was made in 1934
and 1959.

The original 1934 version of "Imitation of Life" starred
Louise Beavers and Claudette Colbert.

The 1959 remake version starred Juanita Moore and Lana Turner.

 
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"Imitation of Life" by Fannie Hurst
The movie "Imitation of Life" was based on a book of the same name that was written by Fannie Hurst in 1933.

Although Fannie Hurst was a Caucasian woman, she was very involved in the Harlem Renaissance and for awhile lived
with African-American writer, Zora Neale Hurston.

The story itself has been controversial over the years, however, some critics view it as a subtle satire of racial
conditions in the early 1930s.

The book is no longer being published, but you can buy used copies.

Use the link below to be connected to resources with used copies of the book "Imitation of Life" for sale.

Click here to find copies of the Imitation of Life (Book) by Fannie Hurst