In 1947, beautiful blonde widow Lana Turner (as Lora Meredith) frantically searches Coney Island's beach for her missing daughter. Along the way, Ms. Turner meets handsome photographer John Gavin (as Steve Archer). "My camera could easily have a love affair with you," he says. Turner finds her little blonde girl playing with a new friend. Turner strikes up a friendship with the little dark-haired girl's mother, friendly Juanita Moore (as Annie Johnson). The two unemployed single mothers are immediately drawn to each other. A Black woman, Moore offers to move in with Turner and work as a domestic. At first, Turner declines because she can't afford a maid and insists Moore be paid. But, since Moore and her daughter are homeless, they move in with Turner...
Ten years later, Turner is a financially successful Broadway actress. Her little girl has grown up to be pretty 16-year old Sandra Dee (as Susie), while Moore's daughter has grown into beautiful 18-year-old Susan Kohner (as Sarah Jane). Turner's photographer friend, Mr. Gavin, re-enters the picture, rekindling old romantic feelings. Turner questions her life and career choices while Ms. Dee becomes infatuated with Gavin. A decade-old desire to "pass" as White reaches fruition as Ms. Kohner favors her father in skin tone and continues to distance herself from African-American mother Moore. "She can't help her color," Kohner tells Dee, "but I can." Kohner finds herself a blond racist boyfriend, Troy Donahue (as Frankie), while Dee yearns for her mother's man...
"Imitation of Life" is a remake of the successful 1934 film starring Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers. Updating Fannie Hurst's original story to the 1950s works beautifully. Importantly, some of the racial content is revised. Here, Turner makes her own career - she does not use Moore's talents as an "Aunt Jemima" (as in the 1934 film) baker. Moore is a "maid" to Turner, but is not subservient in a racist way - watch daughter Kohner demonstrates the difference, when she embarrasses both mothers with a bitter "Mammy" impersonation. In fact, Turner assumes the role a male (husband) provider would play, while Moore assumes the "stay-at-home" housewife and mother position. Thus, "Imitation of Life" turns gender, race and class on its heels...
But, nothing works. Both women are trapped. They only lead "imitations" of life. The society at large permits no happiness for the women. Note what they lose. There may be a glimmer of hope in the end, but the viewer must actively participate in its discovery. "Imitation of Life" begins with an imitation of Nat "King" Cole, by Earl Grant. Later, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson contributes. Kocher won a "Golden Globe" award as supporting actress and Dee won a "Film Daily" juvenile acting honor. Both Moore and Kocher received additional award nominations. Turner was overlooked, but plays as well...
This film owes its dynamic visual strengths to director Douglas Sirk, who fills the screen will all the right moves. Assisted by producer Ross Hunter and photographer Russell Metty, Mr. Sirk created stylish landscapes. The artful use of shadows, stairways, windows and reflections is prominent. Unfortunately, this is the last feature film Sirk directed. He left feature filmmaking after "Imitation of Life". A master in using the screen to heighten and advance his stories, Sirk retired too soon. But he lived long enough to see a re-evaluation and celebration of his work. Fortunately, "Imitation of Life" one of his best.
********** Imitation of Life (4/17/59) Douglas Sirk ~ Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Susan Kohner, Sandra Dee
Ten years later, Turner is a financially successful Broadway actress. Her little girl has grown up to be pretty 16-year old Sandra Dee (as Susie), while Moore's daughter has grown into beautiful 18-year-old Susan Kohner (as Sarah Jane). Turner's photographer friend, Mr. Gavin, re-enters the picture, rekindling old romantic feelings. Turner questions her life and career choices while Ms. Dee becomes infatuated with Gavin. A decade-old desire to "pass" as White reaches fruition as Ms. Kohner favors her father in skin tone and continues to distance herself from African-American mother Moore. "She can't help her color," Kohner tells Dee, "but I can." Kohner finds herself a blond racist boyfriend, Troy Donahue (as Frankie), while Dee yearns for her mother's man...
"Imitation of Life" is a remake of the successful 1934 film starring Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers. Updating Fannie Hurst's original story to the 1950s works beautifully. Importantly, some of the racial content is revised. Here, Turner makes her own career - she does not use Moore's talents as an "Aunt Jemima" (as in the 1934 film) baker. Moore is a "maid" to Turner, but is not subservient in a racist way - watch daughter Kohner demonstrates the difference, when she embarrasses both mothers with a bitter "Mammy" impersonation. In fact, Turner assumes the role a male (husband) provider would play, while Moore assumes the "stay-at-home" housewife and mother position. Thus, "Imitation of Life" turns gender, race and class on its heels...
But, nothing works. Both women are trapped. They only lead "imitations" of life. The society at large permits no happiness for the women. Note what they lose. There may be a glimmer of hope in the end, but the viewer must actively participate in its discovery. "Imitation of Life" begins with an imitation of Nat "King" Cole, by Earl Grant. Later, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson contributes. Kocher won a "Golden Globe" award as supporting actress and Dee won a "Film Daily" juvenile acting honor. Both Moore and Kocher received additional award nominations. Turner was overlooked, but plays as well...
This film owes its dynamic visual strengths to director Douglas Sirk, who fills the screen will all the right moves. Assisted by producer Ross Hunter and photographer Russell Metty, Mr. Sirk created stylish landscapes. The artful use of shadows, stairways, windows and reflections is prominent. Unfortunately, this is the last feature film Sirk directed. He left feature filmmaking after "Imitation of Life". A master in using the screen to heighten and advance his stories, Sirk retired too soon. But he lived long enough to see a re-evaluation and celebration of his work. Fortunately, "Imitation of Life" one of his best.
********** Imitation of Life (4/17/59) Douglas Sirk ~ Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Susan Kohner, Sandra Dee