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Imitation of Life

  • 1934
  • Approved
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
Claudette Colbert and Warren William in 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.
Play trailer1:16
1 Video
96 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

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 ... Read allA 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.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.

  • Director
    • John M. Stahl
  • Writers
    • Fannie Hurst
    • William Hurlbut
    • Preston Sturges
  • Stars
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Warren William
    • Rochelle Hudson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    5.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John M. Stahl
    • Writers
      • Fannie Hurst
      • William Hurlbut
      • Preston Sturges
    • Stars
      • Claudette Colbert
      • Warren William
      • Rochelle Hudson
    • 114User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:16
    Teaser Trailer

    Photos96

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    Top cast69

    Edit
    Claudette Colbert
    Claudette Colbert
    • Beatrice Pullman
    Warren William
    Warren William
    • Stephen Archer
    Rochelle Hudson
    Rochelle Hudson
    • Jessie Pullman
    Ned Sparks
    Ned Sparks
    • Elmer Smith
    Louise Beavers
    Louise Beavers
    • Delilah Johnson
    Fredi Washington
    Fredi Washington
    • Peola Johnson
    Juanita Quigley
    Juanita Quigley
    • Baby Jessie Pullman
    • (as Baby Jane)
    Alan Hale
    Alan Hale
    • Martin the Furniture Man
    Henry Armetta
    Henry Armetta
    • The Painter
    Wyndham Standing
    Wyndham Standing
    • Jarvis the Butler
    Monya Andre
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Alyce Ardell
    Alyce Ardell
    • French Maid
    • (uncredited)
    William Austin
    William Austin
    • Englishman at Party
    • (uncredited)
    Dorothy Black
    • Peola at 10
    • (uncredited)
    Edna Bowdoin
    • Black Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Tyler Brooke
    Tyler Brooke
    • Tipsy Man at Party
    • (uncredited)
    Daisy Bufford
    Daisy Bufford
    • Black Waitress
    • (uncredited)
    Curry Lee Calmes
    • Black Chauffeur
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John M. Stahl
    • Writers
      • Fannie Hurst
      • William Hurlbut
      • Preston Sturges
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Fredi Washington (Peola at 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. In fact, Ms. Washington was an avid civil-rights activist.
    • Goofs
      When baby Jessie falls into the bathtub going after her rubber ducky, there is an obvious edit between her falling in and the splash of water coming out of the tub as evidenced by the shifting of the towel and the shadows from the light coming in through the window on the tile wall behind the tub.
    • Quotes

      Delilah Johnson: What's my baby want?

      Peola Johnson, Age 19: I want to be white, like I look.

      Delilah Johnson: Peola!

      Peola Johnson, Age 19: [gesturing to mirror] Look at me. Am I not white? Isn't that a white girl?

    • Crazy credits
      End credits titled at the top "A great cast is worth repeating".
    • Alternate versions
      The original theatrical release print of Imitation of Life featured different title cards, including a title card containing a brief prologue, which read: "Atlantic City, in 1919, was not just a boardwalk, rolling-chairs and expensive hotels where bridal couples spent their honeymoons. A few blocks from the gaiety of the famous boardwalk, permanent citizens of the town lived and worked and reared families just like people in less glamorous cities." When the film was reissued by Universal in 1938, the title cards were changed, and the prologue card was removed. All current prints of the film, including those used for the VHS and DVD releases, are struck from the 1938 re-release version.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Universal Story (1996)
    • 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 reviews114

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    There isn't a black person who hasn't seen this movie and cried

    This film is a part of growing up black in America. I saw it as a kid and I don't know anyone who hasn't cried. But, it is what it is, a true testament to the times. There is not much you can say. Lana turner did a great job on the remake but to me this is a bit earthier and I prefer to see the original and then see the 57 version. However, the pancake recipe bit is a bit ludicrous i mean how many secret ingredients can you put into pancakes. geesh Louise! Wonderful, keep it in your library at home and show it to your kids. I haven't seen a teenager yet that isn't fasinated and somewhat appalled by this movie. Its like listening to Billie Holidays Strange fruit. You are shocked but find yourself listening over and over again. To assure you have not missed anything.
    • jahlaune
    • May 12, 2005
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Imitation of Life?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 26, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Imitacija zivota
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Claudette Colbert and Warren William in Imitation of Life (1934)
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