Imitation of Life
1959  NR  DRAMA  2h 5min
CAST— Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Dan O’Herlihy, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, Juanita Moore, Mahalia Jackson, Troy Donohue, Jack Weston
MUSIC— Frank Skinner, Sammy Fain, Henry Mancini  DIRECTOR— Douglas Sirk  BASED ON— Imitation of Life (novel), by Fannie Hurst

     Lana Turner and Juanita Moore hand in fine performances in this highly acclaimed drama from Universal Studios. More than one tale transpires throughout so try to keep up. Turner, a young widow living the existence of the starving artist, has yet to land a gig on Broadway or off. She raises her daughter alone; that is until she hires a housekeeper, one who becomes a sister to her in many ways. The housekeeper, who is black, has a beautiful daughter whose skin color is so light that she appears to be white; this she uses to her advantage, in more ways than one. As the years roll by Turner’s career skyrockets, yet she begins to neglect her family. Simultaneously, Moore’s daughter is growing ever distant, denying her heritage and rejecting her mother. Though noticeably dated some elements may still have an impact half a century later. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ** ½
ORIGINAL— Imitation of Life (1934)