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Imitation of Life (1934)
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Overview
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Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
26 November 1934 (USA)
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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...
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Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
Another 1 win
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User Comments:
Landmark Film
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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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #412)
Company:
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.
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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?
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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?
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Movie Connections:
Version of "Imitação da Vida" (1960)
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Soundtrack:
Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen
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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."