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Imitation of Life (1959)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
30 April 1959 (USA)
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Plot:
A struggling young actress with a six-year-old daughter sets up housekeeping with a homeless black widow and her light-skinned eight-year-old daughter who rejects her mother by trying to pass for white. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 3 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
IESB Interviews The Cast And Crew Of 'New Moon'
(From TwilightersAnonymous. 9 November 2009, 12:48 PM, PST)
New Moon Chris Weitz Interview
(From MoviesOnline. 8 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
(From TwilightersAnonymous. 9 November 2009, 12:48 PM, PST)
New Moon Chris Weitz Interview
(From MoviesOnline. 8 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
User Comments:
A Real Tear Jerker
more (105 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Lana Turner | ... | Lora Meredith |
 | John Gavin | ... | Steve Archer |
| Sandra Dee | ... | Susie, age 16 |
| Susan Kohner | ... | Sarah Jane, age 18 |
| Robert Alda | ... | Allen Loomis |
| Dan O'Herlihy | ... | David Edwards |
| Juanita Moore | ... | Annie Johnson |
| Karin Dicker | ... | Sarah Jane, age 8 |
| Terry Burnham | ... | Susie, age 6 |
| John Vivyan | ... | Young man |
| Lee Goodman | ... | Photographer |
| Ann Robinson | ... | Showgirl |
 | Troy Donahue | ... | Frankie |
| Sandra Gould | ... | Annette |
| David Tomack | ... | Mr. McKenney |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
125 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Certification:
UK:12 (video rating) (uncut) (2005) |
UK:U (original rating) (cut) |
South Korea:12 (1999) |
Finland:S |
USA:Approved (PCA #19184) |
West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
'Margaret O'Brien' originally considered for role of Sara Jane, that ultimately went to Susan Kohner.
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Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: Steve's photo of Lora as a 'mother in distress' shows no people in the background, but when we see Lora looking for Susie at the start of the film, the boardwalk is packed with people.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Sopranos: Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request (#6.5)" (2006)
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Soundtrack:
Empty Arms
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FAQ
How does the movie end?Is "Imitation of Life" based on a book?
What was wrong with Annie?
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more (105 total)
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I have seen this movie a countless number of times and know the dialogue by heart. Each time I watch it, I say, "I'm not going to cry this time". Sometimes I almost make it, but then Mahalia Jackson starts to sing and I lose it. My children don't understand why Sarah Jane wanted to pass for white. I tried to explain to them that in that day and age, it was sometimes necessary. The beautiful Susan Kohner steals the film. It's a shame that she only made a handful of movies. To me the most heart-wrenching scene is where Annie visits Sarah Jane in her hotel room. She says' "I want to hold you my arms one more time. Just like you were my baby." I puddle up just writing about it.
In Lana Turner's biography, she writes about the making of this movie. It was made shortly after her daughter stabbed Lana's gangster boyfriend to death. She said that when you see her crying in the funeral scene, those tears were real. When Mahalia started to sing "Troubles of the World", all of her troubles started to come back to her and she got up and ran out of the church. They had to run after her and bring her back to complete the scene.