Imitation of Life (1934)

"[1934] ...a seering emotional drama about racism and female empowerment that in 1934 was decades ahead of its time.  Alan Bacchus, Daily Film Dose
"[1934] The great Claudette Colbert stars in an equally great melodrama from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  Christopher Null, FilmCritic.com
"[1959] Intelligent and compelling.  Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
"[1959] Sirk immediately and deliberately acknowledges the film's metaphoric, almost pathological obsession with surfaces.  Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

Editor's Note This program contains two films, from 1934 and 1959, based on the novel by Fannie Hurst. Please see individual titles for complete information.

	Claudette Colbert
	John Gavin
	Lana Turner
	Ned Sparks
	Rochelle Hudson
	Sandra Dee
	Susan Kohner
	Warren William
	Douglas Sirk - [1959] Director
	John M. Stahl - [1934] Director

Ozus' World Movie Reviews 9 of 10
[1934] The first of two film versions of Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel (the other was by Douglas Sirk in 1958, that one took a slightly different direction from Stahl's more faithful one to the book by making it more of a social confrontational work than the original's character study and one of almost unbelievable discretion). Imitation of Life was nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture. The tearjerker was sensitively directed by John M. Stahl ("Back Street"/"Leave Her to Heaven") and was one of the first films to address real racial issues and have blacks star in serious dramatic parts in a contemporary urban setting. It was inspired by the popularity of the Aunt Jemima pancake company. Though it doesn't fully explore the racial issues it raises as fully as it could have, for its time it was daring and courageous. It also touches on a woman making it big in a man's business world by proving to be just as smart and the travails of single moms raising their daughters...The liberal film manages to make its way through a minefield of sincerity, melodrama and racial divides from the America of the 1930s without blowing itself up, which was quite an achievement for a back then Hollywood film--something not to be sneered at. - Dennis Schwartz

DVD Times 8 of 10
[1959] Imitation of Life is Douglas Sirk's final feature film and one of his most lauded by critics and fans...A fabulously entertaining movie, Imitation of Life barely pauses for breath once it gets going. With a bold, splashy storyline that only the most feeble and talentless director could render dull, it's a soap opera in the very best Hollywood tradition. The themes of searching for fame and attempting to hide one's true background (I don't think the Sarah Jane story element deals purely with racism -- it could be just as much about homosexuality, class, religion or what have you) still resonate today and the film packs a surprisingly emotional punch...Everyone involved gives fine performances; Lara Turner provides exactly the kind of strong-willed independence that the role of Lora requires and Juanita Moore as Annie and Susan Kohner as Sarah Jane were both deservedly nominated for supporting actress Oscars -- odd, seeing as they're essentially the heart and soul of the film...However, this is by no means a perfect film. Much of its problem lies in the fact that it feels like a three-hour movie cut down to two...However, when all's said and done, this is a wonderful piece of cinema and a fittingly glorious final film for a great director. I can't, with a clear conscience, describe it as a masterpiece, but by no means is it far from the mark either. - Jon Robertson