Imitation of Life (1934)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

John M. Stahl

Writers:

Fannie Hurst (novel)
William Hurlbut (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 November 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

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)

Plot:

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...

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Housekeeper | Passing For White | Pancake | Race Relations

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win

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

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #412)

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Fredi Washington (Peola, Aged 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. Ms. Washington was, in fact, an avid civil rights activist.

Quotes:

Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3: I want my quack-quack!

Movie Connections:

Version of "Imitação da Vida" (1960)

Soundtrack:

Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen

Box it!

"Imitation of Life", the 1934 version, reflected the attitude in the country toward blacks. This movie wouldn't have had a chance of being made in the present climate of political correctness. This movie shows how Hollywood dealt with the racial issues back in those years. John Stahl directed the film, which stands in stark contrast with the Douglas Sirk's take in 1959 which presents a glossier vision of the Fanny Hurst novel, in which it's based.

Between the two versions, this one seems to make more sense, in spite of the incredible jump from rags to riches Bea Pullman experiences. Claudette Colbert makes Bea more accessible to us, in contrast with Lana Turner's blonde goddess looks. This Bea Pullman is easier to take because the way she makes her money by going into business, capitalizing on Delilah's idea about the marketing the perfect blend for pancakes.

Warren William plays Steve Archer, the man who falls in love with Bea while not suspecting the effect he causes in young Jessie, Bea's daughter. Louise Beavers is Delilah; she is made to speak broken English to show her ignorance, which was the thing expected every time black characters were shown in movies of that period. Ms. Beavers' role was made bigger in the 1959 remake, but Juanita Moore, who played the part, was not subjected to her predecessor's fate. Rochelle Hudson, Ned Sparks and Fredi Washington round up the supporting cast.