Imitation of Life (1934)

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 »

Director:

John M. Stahl

Writers:

Fannie Hurst (novel), William Hurlbut (screenplay),

Stars:

Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Rochelle Hudson

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Claudette Colbert	...	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)
Alan Hale	...	Martin, the Furniture Man
Henry Armetta	...	The Painter
Wyndham Standing	...	Jarvis, Beatrice's Butler

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

friendship | pancake | passing for white | housekeeper | love triangle | 

---

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)

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Imitación de la vida

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

1934 proved to be a banner year for Claudette Colbert with her acclaimed performance in this film, the Cecil B. DeMille blockbuster Cleopatra and the runaway Oscar-winning hit It Happened One Night.

---

Quotes

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

---

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']"

---

Connections

Version of Anneler ve kizlari (1971)

---

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

User Reviews

It Was Nice to See the Original

Although I liked the remake with Lana Turner, it does not compare with the original. The remake represents a slicker Hollywood formulaic version, yet, I really liked Juanita Moore's heartfelt performance in the 1959 version.

Some may find it was hard to believe that a Beatrice (Cobert) in the 30's could make money from a Delilah's (Beavers) secret recipe. It would have been quite a challenge (but, not impossible) for Delilah; a poor, black woman the 30's to make a fortune as a business woman! Also, people make fortunes on other people ideas all the time.

This is a well done soap opera. The cast was excellent. Not a beat was skipped in this movie. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see the original. I also think it was a brave move for the 30's. One of my favorite scenes was when at the end of their "girl talk," Beatrice goes upstairs and Delilah goes downstairs to the servant's quarters. That scene said it all. In spite of the fact that these two women were good friends and loved each other, they did not have equal status because of the color of their skin.