IMDb > Imitation of Life (1934)
Imitation of Life
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Imitation of Life (1934) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   1,149 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Fannie Hurst (novel)
William Hurlbut (screenplay)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Imitation of Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 November 1934 (USA) more
Genre:
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) more
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... more | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win more
NewsDesk:
My Apologies to Vera Farmiga
 (From FilmExperience. 14 September 2009, 7:40 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Landmark Film more (47 total)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #412)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Although cast as the daughter of Louise Beavers (Delilah), 'Fredi Washington' (Peola, age 19) was in reality less than two years younger than her onscreen mother. She was, however, considerably slimmer than the matronly Beavers, which enabled the pair to "pass" as mother and daughter. more
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?
more
Movie Connections:
Version of "Imitação da Vida" (1960) more
Soundtrack:
Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
Landmark Film, 8 December 2004
Author: vze23nyc from Alexandria, Virginia

This is probably one of the first films that dealt with race relations in this country. While "Imitation of Life" centers around the business created by two women, one black and one white, it also take a hard look at the struggles minorities face -- something very rarely seen on the big screen at that time. Most of the films at that time showed blacks as domestic servants and pictured them as "happy" in those roles. This is a classic in that it's one of the first times any medium tackled the issue of black-white relations. It's a must-see, both from an entertainment perspective and, most importantly, a historical one. I think a lot of African-Americans in the entertainment business can look at this film as a trail-blazer in terms of "serious" roles for blacks instead of being cast as "entertainers."

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (47 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Imitation of Life (1934)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Is the 1934 version better? vanjac12
20% of profits for a black woman in 1939.... unlikely_protagonist
Apposition with Title and Juxtaposition within Greenster
This movie had stereotypes but transcended them. ejansa
anybody else find this movie very offensive? chris-e-lee
Costume Designer Unknown Ellcar537
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Imitation of Life Gone with the Wind The Notebook Giant Pinky
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.