Was this review helpful to you? After watching the movie, I understand. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, Fannie Hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. My mother showed it to me when I was a tween and it marked the beginning of my love of old movies--particularly the black and white ones from the 40s & 50s. When passed before the moviegoer's eyes, it may force theater owners to install aisle scuppers to drain off the tears. It is the story of two strong women trying to raise their famililes. As Lora becomes rich and successful there is the added complication that her boyfriend, who she strings along while in between rushing off to make new films, becomes ever closer to daughter Susie, now growing up fast. My vote is eight. Mathieu imitation de l'imitation de l'imitation. Imitation of Life is drunk on the lies and gross assumptions of its characters and the way they feed off of deceptive surfaces. Imitation of Life is a 1959 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. “Imitation of Life” (John M. Stahl, 1934), based on Fannie Hurst’s ac-claimed novel, was a defining moment in the history of women in film and a watershed moment for African-American casting in Hollywood. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Sundance Review: Tessa Thompson & Ruth Negga In Rebecca Hall’s ‘Passing’, Julie Delpy's teen obsessions: 'Nastassja Kinski was my girl crush', Women's Day: Oscar-Nominated Mother-and-Daughter Roles, Most Prolific Actress Oscar Has Ever Seen, The Doctor Blake Mysteries: Crossing the Line. Title (Brazil): "Imitação da Vida" ("Imitation of Life"). The light-skinned Sarah Jones (Susan Kohner) rejects her mother and tries to pass as white for her friends.Lora is well-succeeded in her career and reaches stardom. Passing, a commonly used term especially in the African American community, “occurs when a member of one racial category assumes the ethnicity of another (Alkon, 2012)”. Tear jerker indeed, this is the original film from 1934, also bought the 1959 later version Imitation Of Life - Lana Turner, John Gavin [1959] All Region DVD. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The great director Douglas Sirk's Imitation of Life, a spectacular, sprawling melodrama, follows a widowed aspiring actress (Lana Turner) and a homeless single mother (Juanita Moore) who raise their daughters together.While the actress's rise to Broadway stardom at the cost of true love gives the first half of the film a romantic arc, the relationship between the two … This self-effacement keeps her and her daughter relatively safe in a racist world, but Sarah Jane is acutely aware of the humiliation and restrictions, and is determined from an early age to escape the horror of Annie's fate. Editorial Reviews. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. Lana Turner gives a good performance as a then out of work actress (a mother herself,) who takes in the Black lady and her daughter and brought them along as she becomes a successful actress and movie star. The interaction between the daughters and mothers is complicated by the limitations of the times as it relates to being a woman and the differences in racial experience. The movie it's self was great, one of my favourites, but very much over priced,(even though i upped the delivery, I'm not sure I'll be buying more. Unfortunately the devotion is rejected by Sarah Jane. Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019. Meanwhile Sarah Jane run away home to work in fleshpots. "In my mind I guess I was leaving Hollywood, yes, even before I made the pic-ture," he said. And even afterward, you're not likely to forget this story. Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. Here are the movies we're most excited for in 2021. Playing next. It was a story of courage, unconditional love, unrequited love, consequences , and of course identity. Lora has a love affair with the photographer Steve Archer (John Gavin) and sooner he proposes her. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. The movie was originally made in 1934 with a remake in 1959. Sirk was bombarded with offers, but he retired instead. She told me it is one of the best movies she has ever seen. Being a white woman having bi-racial children, I wondered about my daughters fascination with this movie. “Imitation of Life” is arguably his highest masterpiece. Showing all 6 items Jump to: ... An old flame, Steve Archer, has reappeared in her life, and daughter Susie is smitten with him. The one has become my favorite. Report abuse. But the ambitious Lora dreams on becoming a star in Broadway and prioritizes her career and also neglects Susie (Sandra Dee). They both make the best of their situations and help each other through decades of life. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation. Drama. After helping a wounded gang member, a strong-willed female saloon owner is wrongly suspected of murder and bank robbery by a lynch mob. There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. In trying to do so by seeking to pass as white, she can't but deny her mother, which is the tragedy at the heart of the movie. Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. If you haven't seen it, please do...and don't forget the tissues. Being a child from a mixed marriage, this taught me a lot. I had my now grown daughters watch this when they were teens. And yes, for modern readers, there’s an uncomfortable undercurrent of racism. Lane Turner plays widowed Lora who is just starting out as an actress. " Imitation of Life " is a song recorded by American alternative rock band R.E.M. Céline. The racial drama is very poignant and includes threads like the sexualization of the 'exotic' daughter Sarah Jane as a matter of course and the 'natural' self-effacement of her mother Annie, who never, ever wants or demands anything for herself. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. Ten years later, she meets Steve by chance and he gives attention to Susie while Lora is shooting a film in Italy. Directed by Douglas Sirk. The Imitation of Life: 2-Movie Special Edition includes both versions of the film: the original 1934 Best Picture nominee starring Claudette Colbert and the 1959 masterpiece starring Lana Turner. It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. One is white the other is black. A time when bigotry and racism was actually acceptable. The sequence in the alley where she is beaten up by her boyfriend reflects the mentality of the American society in those years. A Blu-ray set juxtaposes John M. Stahl’s 1934 “Imitation of Life” with Douglas Sirk’s better-known version from 1959, an examination of savage inequities. What is the arrangement between Lora and Annie? It was released in the United States as the lead single from the band's 12th studio album, Reveal (2001), on April 9, 2001, and was given an Australian and European release later the same month. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane is trying to make her way in the world, socially and career-wise, but her idealistic, hard-headed, clingy … Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister. Certificate: Passed Based on the eponymous novel by Fannie Hurst, it weaves several narratives together. Follow. Which I would never have brought this was not made clear in the description when I brought this, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2012. 4 years ago | 2.1K views. Story of a friendship between an eccentric journalist and a daredevil barnstorming pilot. Imitation of Life (1934) Full Cast & Crew. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. The one problem with the film is that Annie seems to be languishing and on the point of death in many later scenes, and I thought there might be trouble ahead with boyfriend and Susie. Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. Our editors have rounded up their most anticipated horror movies of the year. Even after 5 times, I still cry my heart out! Is it Nat King Cole? They just don't make 'em like this anymore. I would recommend this film. When a toy manufacturer feels ignored and unappreciated by his wife and children, he begins to rekindle a past love when a former employee comes back into his life. Whilst in the original film, the "imitation of life" was just a reference to Peola's (in this film, Sarah Jane) desire to pass for white, in this film, three out of the four main characters have been living their own imitations of life. Appearance is a central theme throughout the story. A rich playboy whose recklessness inadvertently causes the death of a prominent doctor tries to make amends to his widow, and falls for her in the process. Directed by (1) Writing credits (12) Cast (65) Produced by (2) Music by (1) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (2) Art Direction by (1) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (4) Production Management (1) Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (2) Who sings the title song? The pain and Imitation of Life. Use the HTML below. With storylines tackling racism, romance, family, success and tragedy, Imitation of Life is a powerful story that still resonates with audiences today. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. In 1910, a wayward mother re-visits the family she deserted. In Imitation of Life, people’s attitude and behavior towards Sarah… Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019. While its narrative reveals how problematic the representation and depiction of people of color was in 1934, this film Imitation of life. My mother showed it to me when I was a tween and it marked the beginning of my love of old movies--particularly the black and white ones from the 40s & 50s. 17 of 22 people found this review helpful. A peaceful New England town hides secrets and scandals. (1959). In what kind of car did Steve arrive at Susie's graduation party? I am happy to say that although my daughter and son did not have what they needed as children, they have become encouraging and loving parents to their own children. An unscrupulous movie producer uses an actress, a director and a writer to achieve success. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. Sarah Jane can “pass” as white because of her fair skin. Neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't like being Black; since she's light-skinned (her father was practically white), she spends the rest of the film trying to pass as white, much to her mother's heartache and shame. Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015. Robin Skinner. Although the role of Annie is less integral to Laura's success in business (the concept changed from pancake batter business they started together) to a more servant role as her maid, the Annie character is presented less subserviently heee. Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2020. As for the movie, a drama classic. Imitation of Life (1959) Plot. 0:11. This movie had me crying so deeply and helped me to see that there is nothing more important than nurturing and loving our children and giving them what no other person can. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Browse more videos. This movie came out and was set in 1959. Lora's daughter Susie can play with Annie's daughter Sarah-Jane. This is a MUST see movie. I have much enjoyed IMITATION OF LIFE, the '59 Lana Turner version by Douglas Sirk. I wish everyone could see this movie. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation, Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. When she meets Annie (played by Juanita Moore), who comes to work as her housekeeper, it seems a perfect arrangement. Several of their scenes near the end of the movie had me choked up and that never happens! When she returns, she decides to get married with Steve; but Susie has fallen in love with Steve. A Movie That Demonstrates While Things Have Changed, Nothing Has Changed When It Comes to Race in America, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2018. Read more. Overview System Requirements Related. Lora brings Annie and her daughter to live in her small apartment in New York and they become close friends. Although I enjoyed both and have viewed them many times. With Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. "I had had enough." I Cry Like the First Time Every Time I Watch This Movie, Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018. Description. Very disappointed was in a foreign language, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018, Very disappointied with this dvd when it arrived I couldn’t wait to watch it on reading the back of the dvd I found it to be in a foreign language!!! Imitation of Life. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. Search for "Imitation of Life" on Amazon.com, Title: Susanna "Susan" Kohner (born November 11, 1936) is an American former actress who worked in film and television. 5.0 out of 5 stars Dvd. Imitation of Life is the second film adaptation of Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name; the first, directed by John M. Stahl, was released in 1934. An upper-class widow falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth nurseryman, much to the disapproval of her children and criticism of her country club peers. alfiehitchie, In Coney Island, the widow aspiring actress Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) finds her six-year-old daughter Susie playing with eight-year-old Sarah Jane, who is the daughter of the black homeless housekeeping Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore). 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 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. Movies about Race and the need to renounce one's cultural identity don't come much better than this movie. Artistic license, and it suits the splendor of the movie. I do not recall any other film from this period that brings the division in the American society between black and white people so clearly. The 1959 perspective allowed me to see a more in-depth aspect of the characters that I missed in the early film. Available on. Browse more videos. “We didn’t know,” says a schoolteacher to Annie when she comes looking for her daughter in the woman’s classroom. Action, Certificate: Passed Imitation of Life is the 8th song of R.E.M’s album Reveal, and it’s the most popular song of the album. The screenplay by William Hurlbut, based on Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne. It hit the number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 list. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. I was moved emotional and intellectually . Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2019. Aquarius Theater - 6230 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Kathleen. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Imitation of Life Annie Johnson (1959) The Kid Kenny's Grandmother (2000) Rent $3.99. The movie exposes the complicated relationship between mothers raising girls into women and how each daughter finds the other's mother a better parent for different reasons. All performers are great including headliners Lana Turner and John Gavin, but the real stars of this movie are Juanita Moore and Susan Koehner. Imitation of Life is still a potent onion. Imitation of Life (1959) (4,262) IMDb 7.9 2 h 5 min 1959 X-Ray 16+ Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united first in mutual need, then success and ultimately, in heartache in this Academy Award-nominated Best Picture. Lora (Lana Turner) persues fame and fortune as an actress whilst neglecting the ones she really loves; Sarah Jane (Susan Kohler) passes as white not to gain better social rights but to persue false ideals of "white beauty"; and Lora's daughter Suzy (Sandra Dee) nurses a hopeless crush on her mother's boyfriend, Steve (John Gavin). The Imitation of Life is one of the most powerful cinematic displays of racial passing in movie history. The movie mirrors much of my/our life...me putting other people and things before my relationship with my children. She is best known for her role as Sarah Jane in Imitation of Life (1959), for which she was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe award. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. An aspiring white actress takes in an African-American widow whose mixed-race … It is a glimpse at the past and an invitation to think about the present and future. Imitation grabs you by the heart and doesn't let up until the ending credits roll. Set in New York in the 1950’s, Imitation of Life by Douglas Sirk portrays an intricate relationship between a Black American mother and her fair skin daughter, Sarah Jane. My mother had me watch this movie back in the 1060’s as a child, I never forgot this movie, as she wanted me to learn from it. Imitation of Life is the sort of book that invites discussion. Neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't like being Black; since she's light-skinned (her father was practically white), she spends the rest of the film trying to pass as white, much to her mother's heartache and shame. This VHS arrived way ahead of schedule and was in very good condition. The drama of Annie that is rejected by her daughter, in a time when color of people was a watershed, is heartbreaking and the best subplot. Demonstrates America's laws of Segregation and racist attitudes that created divisions between a black woman and her light-skinned daughter who was ashamed of her mother, her ethnic identity and pretended to be a 'White' as it was easier to do that, than admit she was the product of an interracial relation between her black mother and a white man. It's very moving though, especially the scenes where Sarah-Jane rejects her mother - whoever said it was a three-hanky movie was right. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. I would love to have an in depth discussion about this book and each film adaptation and how the experience of these characters were affected by the construct of the time period and gender and racial bias. BIG PRICE, for old movie? not the best value. 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