Who are the actors in imitation of life?
The original 1934 version of Imitation of Life was added to the National Film Registry in 2005. [5] [6] From left to right: Sarah Jane (Karin Dicker), Annie ( Juanita Moore ), Susie (Terry Burnham) and Lora ( Lana Turner) in an early scene of the film. In 1947, single mother Lora Meredith dreams of becoming a famous Broadway actress.
What is the main idea of imitation of life?
Imitation of Life (1934) 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.
When did imitation of life come out?
The film was originally released by Universal Pictures on November 26, 1934, and re-released in 1936. A 1959 remake of the same title was directed by Douglas Sirk . In 2005, Imitation of Life was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Who is the actress who plays Annie Johnson in imitation of life?
Juanita Moore, who plays Annie, is billed with the credit "And Presenting Juanita Moore as Annie Johnson", even though she had already appeared in many films. What is 'Imitation of Life' about?
See more
How does Imitation of Life end?
Imitation of Life ends with Moore's Annie Johnson being dramatically hoisted into a hearse as an entire black community mourns her passing.
What happened to Juanita Moore?
Moore died at her home in Los Angeles on January 1, 2014, at age 99 of natural causes. She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Who sang at the funeral in the movie Imitation of Life?
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.
What is the Imitation of Life movie about?
Lora Meredith (Lana Turner), a white single mother who dreams of being on Broadway, has a chance encounter with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a black widow. Annie becomes the caretaker of Lora's daughter, Suzie (Sandra Dee), while Lora pursues her stage career. Both women deal with the difficulties of motherhood: Lora's thirst for fame threatens her relationship with Suzie, while Annie's light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles with her African-American identity.Imitation of Life / Film synopsis
How old was Juanita Moore when died?
99 years (1914–2014)Juanita Moore / Age at death
Is Sandra Dee alive today?
Best known for her portrayal of ingénues, Dee earned a Golden Globe Award as one of the year's most promising newcomers for her performance in Robert Wise's Until They Sail (1958)....Sandra DeeBornAlexandra ZuckApril 23, 1942 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.DiedFebruary 20, 2005 (aged 62) Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.10 more rows
Why is it called Imitation of Life?
While the title Imitation of Life on the surface seems to be referring to the artificiality of Lora's glamorous career that takes her away from her daughter, the title is perhaps more of a sly comment on how racism in 1950s America denied African American people the life that white people took for granted.
Are there two versions of the movie Imitation of Life?
The 1959 remake of Imitation of Life has major differences in details from the 1934 original, but the storyline is substantially the same.
How much did Lana Turner make Imitation of Life?
$2 millionLana Turner took a much smaller salary, than her usual $25,000 per week and worked for 50% of the film's profits, which earned her over $2 million (setting a record for an actress at the time).
What is the conflict in Imitation of Life?
One of the major conflicts arises between Sarah Jane's character (played by Susan Kohner) and the concept of racial status. Upon the audience's first introduction to Sarah Jane, it is clear that she is a troubled child.
Who is Susie in Imitation of Life?
Imitation of Life (Douglas Sirk, 1959) features two young girls: Sarah Jane, and Lora's daughter, Susie (Terry Burnham).
Who is black girl in Imitation of Life?
Juanita Moore, the Oscar-nominated star of Imitation of Life, has died at the age of 99. The actor, who played alongside Lana Turner in Douglas Sirk's 1959 race drama, died at home, according to her grandson, actor Kirk Kelleykahn.
Who died in Imitation of Life?
NEW YORK – Juanita Moore, a groundbreaking actress and an Academy Award nominee for her role as Lana Turner ‘s character’s black friend in the classic weeper Imitation of Life, has died. Actor Kirk Kelleykahn, her grandson, said that Moore collapsed and died Wednesday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99, according to Kelleykahn.
Who was the author of Born to Be Hurt?
Kohner — who heard of Moore’s death through Sam Staggs, author of 2009’s Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life — had high praise for her friend and co-star, with whom she said she spoke regularly.
Who was the actress who played the housekeeper in the movie "Imitation of Life"?
Moore received a supporting actress nomination for Douglas Sirk’s “Imitation of Life,” playing the housekeeper whose daughter passes for white, in the racially themed film that was based on the Fannie Hurst novel. She was the fifth African-American to be Oscar-nommed.
Who was the African American actress who died in 1959?
Juanita Moore, who broke barriers for African-American actors and was Oscar-nommed for 1959’s “Imitation of Life,” died Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles. Her step-grandson, actor Kirk Kahn, said she was 99.
What was the problem with the original script for Imitation of Life?
Universal had difficulty receiving approval from the censors at the Hays Office for the original script they submitted for Imitation of Life. Joseph Breen objected to the elements of miscegenation in the story, which "not only violates the Production Code but is very dangerous from the standpoint both of industry and public policy." He rejected the project, writing, "Hurst's novel dealing with a partly colored girl who wants to pass as white violates the clause covering miscegenation in spirit, if not in fact!" The Production Code Administration 's (PCA) censors had difficulty in "negotiating how boundaries of racial difference should be cinematically constructed to be seen, and believed, on the screen."
Who wrote the screenplay for imitation of life?
English. Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. 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.
What is Delilah's funeral?
Delilah has the grand funeral she always wanted, with marching bands and a horse-drawn white silk hearse, and all the lodges processing in a slow march. The coffin is carried from the church to the hearse through the saber arch of an honor guard, and a remorseful, sobbing Peola rushes to embrace it, begging her dead mother to forgive her. Bea and Jessie gather her into their arms and take her into the car with them.
What year was the movie Imitation of Life based on?
Imitation of Life (1934 film) Imitation of Life. (1934 film) Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. 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.
Why is Delilah filmed?
Some scenes seem to have been filmed to highlight the fundamental unfairness of Delilah's social position —for example, while living in Bea's fabulous NYC mansion, Delilah descends down the shadowy stairs to the basement where her rooms are. Bea, dressed in the height of fashion, floats up the stairs to her rooms, whose luxury was built from the success of Delilah's recipe. Others highlight the similarities between the two mothers, both of whom adore their daughters and are brought to grief by the younger women's actions. Some scenes seem to mock Delilah, because of her supposed ignorance about her financial interests and her willingness to be in a support role, but the two women have built an independent business together. In dying and in death—especially with the long processional portraying a very dignified African-American community—Delilah is treated with great respect.
When was the Imitation of Life remake made?
A 1959 remake with the same title was directed by Douglas Sirk . In 2005, Imitation of Life was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It was also named by Time in 2007 as one of "The 25 Most Important Films on Race".
Who was the baby in the movie Imitation of Life?
The parents of the child playing "Jessie" as a baby changed her name from "Baby Jane" to "Juanita Quigley" during production of the film. Claudette Colbert was borrowed from Paramount. Universal had difficulty receiving approval from the censors at the Hays Office for the original script they submitted for Imitation of Life.
Storyline
Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst.
Did you know
The funeral scene hit a little too close to home for Lana Turner. As Mahalia Jackson started singing, she lost control and fled to her trailer in tears. When no arguments could convince her to return to the church and shoot the scene, her makeup woman slapped her in the face, breaking her out of her hysterics.
Contribute to this page
By what name was Imitation of Life (1959) officially released in India in English?
Storyline
Bea Pullman and her daughter Jessie have had a hard time making ends meet since Bea's husband died. Help comes in the form of Delilah Johnson, who agrees to work as Bea's housekeeper in exchange for a room for herself and her daughter Peola. Bea comes up with a plan to market Delilah's pancake recipe.
Did you know
Fredi Washington (Peola, Aged 19) was a light-skinned African-American. After playing this role, she was criticized by some in the black community who labored under the misconception that the actress herself practiced self-hatred and would rather 'pass' herself off as white. Ms. Washington was, in fact, an avid civil rights activist.
Contribute to this page
By what name was Imitation of Life (1934) officially released in India in English?
Overview
Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. 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. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, and Fredi Washington.
Plot
Widow Bea Pullman and her two-year-old daughter Jessie are having a rough morning. Jessie demands her "quack quack" (her rubber duck) and doesn't want to go to the day nursery. She must: her mother is continuing her husband’s business, selling heavy cans of maple syrup door-to-door, and making very little money. Black housekeeper Delilah Johnson has also had a bad morning. She misread an advertisement and came to the wrong house—Bea’s.
Cast
• Claudette Colbert as Beatrice "Bea" Pullman
• Warren William as Stephen "Steve" Archer
• Rochelle Hudson as Jessie Pullman, age 18
• Ned Sparks as Elmer Smith
Production
Fannie Hurst's inspiration in writing her novel Imitation of Life was a road trip to Canada she took with her friend, the African-American short-story writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. The novel was originally to be called Sugar House but was changed just before publication. Molly Hiro of the University of Portland wrote that the script of this film "closely followed" the storyline of the original novel.
Themes
TCM's Jeff Stafford observes that this film “was ahead of its time in presenting single women as successful entrepreneurs in a business traditionally run by men.”
The themes of the film, to the modern eye, deal with very important issues—passing, the role of skin color in the black community and tensions between its light-skinned and dark-skinned members, the role of black servants in white families, and maternal affection.
Reception
Imitation of Life was nominated for three Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Assistant Director for Scott R. Beal, and Best Sound, Recording for Theodore Soderberg.
TCM's Jeff Stafford, observing that "Imitation of Life is certainly one of [Beavers’] best performances and should have been nominated for an Oscar", recalled that when the picture came out, "Columnist Jimmy Fiddler [sic] was one of many who objected to this oversight and wr…
Home video
Both the original 1934 film and its remake were issued in 2003 on a double-sided DVD from Universal Home Entertainment. The film as well as the 1959 remake were re-released on DVD and Blu-ray as part of Universal's 100th Anniversary on January 10, 2012.
Further reading
• Rodríquez-Estrada, Alicia I. (2003). "From Peola to Carmen: Fredi Washington, Dorothy Dandridge, and Hollywood's Portrayal of the Tragic Mulatto". In Taylor, Quintard; Moore, Shirley Ann Wilson (eds.). African American Women Confront the West, 1600–2000. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 230–247. ISBN 978-0-8061-3524-3.
• Hiro, Molly (Winter 2010). ""'Tain't no tragedy unless you make it one": Imitation of Life, Melodrama, and the Mulatta". Arizona Quarterl…