IMDb > Imitation of Life (1959)
Imitation of Life
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Imitation of Life (1959) More at IMDbPro »

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Imitation of Life -- Trailer for this classic drama

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   6,181 votes »
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Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Douglas Sirk
Writers:
Eleanore Griffin (screenplay) and
Allan Scott (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Imitation of Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 April 1959 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Drama | Romance See more »
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 »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
5 Things You May Not Know About Douglas Sirk's 'Imitation Of Life,' 53 Years Since Since It Was First Released
 (From The Playlist. 17 April 2012, 7:02 AM, PDT)
Penelope Andrew: TCM Fest 2012:Liza Minnelli, Kim Novak, Robert Wagner, Debbie Reynolds Walk Red Carpet
 (From Aol TV.. 12 April 2012, 1:15 PM, PDT)
St. Louis Black Film Festival Continues This Week with Imitation Of Life and Cooley High
 (From WeAreMovieGeeks.com. 13 February 2012, 7:56 PM, PST)
User Reviews:
A real melodrama of emotion See more (120 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Lana Turner ... Lora Meredith

John Gavin ... Steve Archer

Sandra Dee ... Susie - 16

Susan Kohner ... Sarah Jane - 18
Robert Alda ... Allen Loomis
Dan O'Herlihy ... David Edwards

Juanita Moore ... Annie Johnson
Karin Dicker ... Sarah Jane - 8
Terry Burnham ... Susie - 6
John Vivyan ... Young Man
Lee Goodman ... Photographer
Ann Robinson ... Showgirl

Troy Donahue ... Frankie
Sandra Gould ... Annette
David Tomack ... Mr. McKenney
Joel Fluellen ... Minister

Jack Weston ... Tom
Billy House ... Fat Man on Beach
Maida Severn ... Teacher
Than Wyenn ... Romano

Peg Shirley ... Fay

Mahalia Jackson ... Choir Soloist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Barrows ... Furniture Mover (uncredited)
Chuckie Bradley ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Paul Bradley ... Preston Mitchell (uncredited)
Teddy Buckner ... Member of Marching Band (uncredited)
Joe Darensbourg ... Member of Marching Band (uncredited)
Mike De Lay ... Member of Marching Band (uncredited)
Elinor Donahue ... Friend of lana turner's character (uncredited)
Cicely Evans ... Louise Morton (uncredited)
Myrna Fahey ... Actress (uncredited)
Bess Flowers ... Geraldine Moore (uncredited)
Leota Lorraine ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Forbes Murray ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Eddie Parker ... Policeman at Funeral (uncredited)
Eddie Smith ... Funeral Onlooker (uncredited)
Napoleon Whiting ... Kenneth - Lora's Butler (uncredited)
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Directed by
Douglas Sirk 
 
Writing credits
Eleanore Griffin (screenplay) and
Allan Scott (screenplay)

Fannie Hurst (novel)

Produced by
Ross Hunter .... producer
 
Original Music by
Frank Skinner 
Henry Mancini (uncredited)
 
Cinematography by
Russell Metty (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Milton Carruth 
 
Art Direction by
Alexander Golitzen 
Richard H. Riedel 
 
Set Decoration by
Russell A. Gausman 
Julia Heron 
 
Costume Design by
Bill Thomas (gowns)
 
Makeup Department
Larry Germain .... hair stylist
Bud Westmore .... makeup artist
Del Armstrong .... makeup artist (uncredited)
Nick Marcellino .... makeup artist (uncredited)
Lavaughn Speer .... hair stylist (uncredited)
Pat Westmore .... hair stylist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Norman Deming .... production manager (uncredited)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Shaw .... assistant director
Wilson Shyer .... assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Robert Laszlo .... props (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Leslie I. Carey .... sound
Joe Lapis .... sound
Glenn E. Anderson .... sound (uncredited)
Henry Janssen .... sound (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Monty Phillips .... lead digital artist (digital restoration) (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Clifford Stine .... special photography
Charles Cowie .... grip (uncredited)
Ledge Haddow .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Rollie Lane .... still photographer (uncredited)
Max Nippell .... gaffer (uncredited)
Eddie Pyle .... camera operator (uncredited)
Roy Vaughn .... assistant camera (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jean Louis .... gowns: Lana Turner
Martha Bunch .... wardrobe (uncredited)
Rydo Loshak .... wardrobe (uncredited)
Rosamonde Lytele .... wardrobe (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Joseph Gershenson .... music supervisor
Jo Ann Greer .... singing voice: Susan Kohner (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Wayne Fitzgerald .... title designer (uncredited)
Don Morgan .... unit publicist (uncredited)
Luanna Sherman .... script supervisor (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
125 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono | Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
UK:12 (video rating) (uncut) (2005) | UK:U (original rating) (cut) | South Korea:12 (1999) | Australia:PG | USA:Not Rated | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #19184) | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Aquarius Theater - 6230 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USASee more »
Company:
Universal International Pictures (UI)See more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Pearl Bailey was originally considered for the role of Annie Johnson.See more »
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Lora is posing for the flea powder ad in 1947, several New York City Transit Authority R16 subway cars built in 1954 can be seen passing outside.See more »
Quotes:
Sarah Jane:Miss Lora, you don't know what it means to be... different...See more »
Movie Connections:
References This Island Earth (1955)See more »
Soundtrack:
Trouble of the WorldSee more »

FAQ

How closely does the movie follow the novel?
What was wrong with Annie?
Was Sarah Jane's father white?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
43 out of 79 people found the following review useful.
A real melodrama of emotion, 25 September 2005
Author: elaine-elliott from United Kingdom

What is there to say except I'd defy anyone not to be moved by this movie and you'll never tire of watching it over and over. No one special performance, they're all fantastic! If you enjoy Madame X then Lana Turner out acts herself. The film brings home the feeling we all may have but should not have in that you should never deny your loved ones, especially your mother and you realise that a mother's love really is unconditional. Sit back with a box of choccies,a glass of wine and a box of tissues and ENJOY! This is one of my all time greats! It really is a mother/daughter movie and will definitely bring you closer together.

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See more (120 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Imitation of Life (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Sarah Jane....why did I keep thinking that part was MADE for..... onemightymike
Crying Over This Film musicman81
Sandra Dee willcwhite
Annie's wish for a big funeral. sylvia67
For Troy... Doctor_Mabuse1
sarah jane at the end...(SPOILERS) neely_o_hara
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