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Imitation of Life (1934)

 -  Drama | Romance  -  26 November 1934 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 1,837 users  
Reviews: 53 user | 16 critic

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 ... See full summary »

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(novel), (screenplay), 10 more credits »
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Title: Imitation of Life (1934)

Imitation of Life (1934) on IMDb 7.5/10

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman
Warren William ...
Stephen 'Steve' Archer
Rochelle Hudson ...
Jessie Pullman, Age 18
Ned Sparks ...
Elmer Smith
Louise Beavers ...
Delilah Johnson
Fredi Washington ...
Peola Johnson, Age 19
Juanita Quigley ...
Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3 (as Baby Jane)
...
Martin, the Furniture Man
Henry Armetta ...
The Painter
Wyndham Standing ...
Jarvis, Beatrice's Butler
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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. The two soon become wealthy and as the years go on, their friendship deepens. Their relationships with their daughters, however, become strained. Ashamed of her mother, Peola seeks a new life by passing for white. Bea's love for her daughter is tested when she and Jessie fall for the same man. Written by <dbubbeo@cmp.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Brought Back to thrill you again! Fannie Hurst's stirring drama of a mother and a daughter in love with the same man. (re-release) See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 November 1934 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Imitación de la vida  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Eight uncredited writers contributed to the screenplay, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne. See more »

Quotes

Delilah Johnson: [to Peola] Bow your head! You got to learn to take it!
See more »

Crazy Credits

Reissue prints of this film, issued after Carl Laemmle's ouster and retirement from Universal, read "The New Universal Presents [Claudette Colbert and Warren William in 'Imitation of Life']" rather than "Carl Laemmle Presents [Claudette Colbert and Warren William in 'Imitation of Life']" See more »

Connections

Version of Anneler ve kizlari (1971) See more »

Soundtracks

"Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen"
(uncredited)
Traditional Negro Spiritual
Lyrics by Henry Thacker Burleigh
Played and sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening credits
Played as background music often
See more »

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User Reviews

 
I want my quack quack
24 November 2004 | by (TCM's Basement) – See all my reviews

People, people, why does everyone judge this movie confection through the looking glasses of 2006?? There was probably some "imitation of life" to the movie when it was made, no matter how silly or stereotypical it might have been, even for its time. If anything, this movie at least attempted to show two women in business being rewarded for their efforts and hard work. Yes, the 20/80 split when the pan cake business went incorporated might seem unfair now, but it was better than the 1950's film where Annie just waits on Ms. Lora, dolling out wisdom with a spoon full of sugar. I was much more perplexed why Jessie would be interested in a fish scientist who said he was 37 but looked more like 57!


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
Does Peola have a white father? xomimiox
anybody else find this movie very offensive? chris-e-lee
Is the 1934 version better? vanjac12
20% of profits for a black woman in 1939.... unlikely_protagonist
I'm confused about Jesse's comment... lyndadavis_07
AM I THE ONLY ONE....? dadbowen-1
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