Imitation of Life (1934 film)
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| Imitation of Life | |
|---|---|
| Image:Imitation of Life (1934) poster.jpg | |
| Directed by | John M. Stahl |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle Jr. (executive producer) Henry Henigson (associate producer) (uncredited) |
| Written by | Fannie Hurst (novel) William Hurlbut |
| Starring | Claudette Colbert Warren William Rochelle Hudson |
| Music by | Heinz Roemheld (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | Merritt B. Gerstad |
| Editing by | Philip Cahn Maurice Wright |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 26, 1934 |
| Running time | 111 min. |
| Country | Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Imitation of Life is a 1934 film directed by John M. Stahl, adapted by William Hurlbut from Fannie Hurst's novel, Imitation of Life. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Warren William and Rochelle Hudson.
The film was released by Universal Pictures on November 26, 1934, and later re-issued in 1936. It was remade in 1959, also titled Imitation of Life, but the 1934 version is a more direct adaptation of Hurst's novel.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
White widow Bea Pullman (Claudette Colbert) and her daughter Jessie (Juanita Quigley as a toddler, Marilyn Knowlden as an eight-year-old) take in black housekeeper Delilah Johnson (Louise Beavers) and her daughter, light-complexioned Peola (Fredi Washington) — exchanging room and board for work, even though Bea is struggling to make ends meet herself. Delilah and Peola quickly become like family to Jessie and Bea. They particularly enjoy Delilah's pancakes, made from a special family recipe.
When Bea is unable to make a living selling pancake syrup (as her husband had done), she comes up with the idea to open a pancake restaurant (using Delilah's recipe and labor) on the boardwalk, which proves to be very profitable. Later, at the suggestion of Elmer Smith (Ned Sparks), she sets up an even more successful pancake flour corporation, marketing Delilah as an Aunt Jemima-like figure.
As a result, Bea becomes a wealthy business woman, but all is not found to be well as the story advances fifteen years. Eighteen-year-old Jessie (Rochelle Hudson) falls in love with her mother's boyfriend, Steven Archer (Warren William), who is unaware at first of her affections. Meanwhile, Peola (Fredi Washington), ashamed of her African-American heritage, attempts to pass as white, breaking Delilah's heart.
Peola eventually runs away from home. While she is away, Delilah falls ill and dies. Delilah wished for a large, grand funeral, which Bea provides for her, complete with a marching band and a horse-drawn hearse. Just before the processional begins, a remorseful, crying Peola appears, begging her mother to forgive her. The film ends with Bea breaking her engagement with Steven because of the situation with Jessie.
[edit] Production notes
A scene in which Elmer approaches Bea with the idea to sell Delilah's pancake mix to consumers refers to a legend about the origins of Coca-Cola's success. This scene has been credited with solidifying into popular consciousness the (untrue) secret of Coke's success — that is, to "bottle it".[1]
[edit] Release and reception
Nominated for three Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Assistant Director, and Sound Mixing - Imitation of Life was a successful release. It and its remake were issued in 2003 on a double-sided DVD from Universal Home Entertainment.
All versions of Imitation of Life issued by Universal after 1938, including TV, VHS and DVD versions, feature re-done title cards in place of the originals. Missing from all of these prints is a title card with a short prologue that apparently was included in the original release. It reads:
Atlantic City, in 1919, was not just a boardwalk, rolling-chairs and expensive hotels where bridal couples spent their honeymoons. A few blocks from the gaiety of the famous boardwalk, permanent citizens of the town lived and worked and reared families just like people in less glamorous cities.[2]
In 2005, Imitation of Life was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress.
[edit] Cast
- Claudette Colbert as Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman
- Warren William as Stephen 'Steve' Archer
- Rochelle Hudson as Jessie Pullman, Age 18
- Ned Sparks as Elmer Smith
- Louise Beavers as Delilah Johnson
- Fredi Washington as Peola Johnson, Age 19
- Juanita Quigley as Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3 (as Baby Jane)
- Alan Hale as Martin, the Furniture Man
- Henry Armetta as The Painter
- Wyndham Standing as Jarvis, Beatrice's Butler
[edit] Further reading
- Courtney, Susan (1998). Picturizing Race: Hollywood's Censorship of Miscegenation and Production of Racial Visibility through Imitation of Life. Genders. Retrieved on 2007-04-02.
