The first of two film version of fannie hursts novel, 1934 s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette colbert, one black louise beavers. She got fourth billing in a 1937 fox film, one mile from heaven, but that was it. But to my surprise, there was an earlier 1934 version. 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. Bea pullman and her daughter jessie have had a hard time making ends meet since beas. Imitation of life 1959 movie clip title song, credits by peter pan. Stahl, adapted by william hurlbut from fannie hursts novel, imitation of life. Thats the government program that was all about ending the depression. Stahls 1934 imitation of life with douglas sirks betterknown version from 1959, an examination of savage inequities. Imitation of life 1934 trailer turner classic movies. Incidentally, i saw a movie version of five and ten 1931 based on the novel by fannie hurst. Imitation of life is a 1934 film directed by john m.
Stahl and starring warren william, ned sparks, alan hale, henry armetta, wyndham standing. If you are a fan of old movies, imitation of life delivers the main course. Washingtons dusky gorgeousness in imitation of life must have scared hollywood bosses even as it tempted them. 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. The transfers are impressive, and the supplements are good. Bea pullman and her daughter jessie have had a hard time making ends meet since beas husband died. This film is a part of growing up black in america. Watch imitation of life 1934 now on your favorite device.
Imitation of life is a 1934 american drama film directed by john m. Two widows from different lives find that they need eachother and about the support they give to one another. Peolas predicament couldnt help but remind me of inherit the wind, an admittedly verywhite movie about a fictionalized version of the scopes. Imitation of life is a deeply interesting movie, but only if you go in knowing that its not something you just watch. Imitation of life movie trailer 1934 plot synopsis. The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united first in mutual need, then success and ultimately, in heartache in this academy awardnominated best picture. The imitation of life is one of the most powerful cinematic displays of racial passing in movie history. Imitation of life 1934 movie clip the pancake queen at the 10th anniversary party for her pancakemix empire, claudette colbert as bea has noted the arrival of handsome warren william as archer, as it turns out induced to attend by her wiseacre marketing genius elmer ned sparks, in imitation of life, 1934, from the fannie hurst novel. Imitation of life was in production from june 27 to september 11, 1934, and was released on november 26 of that year. But success doesnt save them from sorrow with the passing years.
The africanamerican characters are given personalities and are important to the plot, which was so uncommon for the time. Rent imitation of life 1934 starring claudette colbert and warren william on dvd and bluray. Stahl starring claudette colbert, warren william, rochelle hudson, ned sparks online at. The movie was originally made in 1934 with a remake in 1959. Bea comes up with a plan to market delilahs pancake recipe. Imitation of life 1934 bea pullman and her daughter jessie have had a hard time making ends meet since beas husband died. Colbert is a widow with a baby daughter who hires beavers, who also has a daughter, as a housekeeper. Stahl, with claudette colbert, warren william, rochelle hudson, at turner classic movies. She returned to new york, where she cofounded the negro actors guild of america and was a casting consultant on the 50s two big black musicals. Imitation of life is the second film adaptation of fannie hursts novel of the same name. I watched this movie, imitation of life, 3 years ago for the first time, thinking it was the 1950s version because that was the one i had seen years ago as a young girl.
Read the full synopsis of imitation of life, 1934, directed by john m. Both the 1934 and the 1959 imitation of life are engrossing, entertaining films, though seen backtoback the original is far superior for reasons described above. Imitation of life approved 1h 51min drama, romance 26 november 1934 usa a struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fairskinned daughter. The two soon become wealthy and as the years go on, their. Imitation of life the 1934 movie, trailers, videos and more at yidio. Help comes in the form of delilah johnson, who agrees to work as beas housekeeper in exchange for a room for herself and her daughter peola. Imitation of life 1934 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. I get the distinct impression that this trailer for a claudette colbert film was intended for colored theaters back in 1934. She was, however, considerably slimmer than the matronly beavers, which enabled the pair to pass as mother and daughter. The films topbilled stars are lana turner and john gavin, and the cast also features sandra dee, dan oherlihy, susan kohner, robert alda and juanita moore.
Imitation of life 1934 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Imitation of life is without question one of my alltime favorite movies. But, newly released on bluray by universal, along with its original version, directed in 1934 by john m. Imitation of life 1934 drama romance a struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fairskinned daughter. Little house on the prairie tribute videos by me 1,708,346 views. Rent imitation of life 1934 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. Imitation of life 1934 through a chance meeting, two widowed mothers one white, beatrice pullman claudette colbert, and one black, delilah johnson louise beavers decide to pool their talents and go into business together, opening a waffle shop. The life of laura ingalls wilder tribute little house on the prairie tv show theme song duration. Stahl, 1934, based on fannie hursts acclaimed novel, was a defining moment in the history of women in film and a watershed moment for africanamerican casting in hollywood. Imitation of life 1934 in this academy awardnominated best picture, claudette colbert and louise beavers are superb as two women with young daughters who build a fortune together. The screenplay by william hurlbut, based on fannie hursts 1933 novel of the same.
This glamorized remake of the 1934 film imitation of life bears only a passing resemblance to its source, the bestselling novel by fannie hurst. Help comes in the form of delilah johnson, who agrees to work as beas housekeeper in. Enjoy a rich lineup of tv shows and movies included with your prime membership. Imitation of life is the second film adaptation of fannie hurst s novel of the same name. The presentation of both versions, provided myself with a richer nourishing experience of the fannie hurst story. The first of two film version of fannie hursts novel, 1934s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette colbert, one black louise beavers. Imitation of life 1934 movie clip the pancake queen. Imitation of life 1934 by barbara frederick april 23, 2014. Imitation of life 1934 approved 1h 51min drama, romance 26 november 1934 usa a struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fairskinned daughter. I saw it as a kid and i dont know anyone who hasnt cried. Its something you have to absorb to fully understand, to mentally push back the clock and see the ways things have changed and how they havent. The funeral from imitation of life 1934 complete blu ray cut. Watch full hd imitation of life 1934 online free hdfy.
The funeral from imitation of life 1934 complete blu ray. National recovery act, along with the slogan we do our part. For one thing, this movie includes a plug for the nra. The first of two film version of fannie hursts novel, 1934s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette. Imitation of life 1959 rotten tomatoes movie trailers.
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