HR noted that in the novel on which the film is based, and in the 1934 film adaptation, the character played by Lana Turner "combined her business acumen with a recipe for pancakes invented by a Negro woman and reaped a fortune. In Apr 1957 and Jan 1958, "Rambling Reporter" items in HR stated that Deborah Kerr and Richard Egan were being considered for starring roles. According to a HR news item, producer Ross Hunter originally planned to make a musical version of the story starring Shirley Booth and Ethel Waters. Stahl and starring Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1931-40). This picture, Douglas Sirk's last feature, was a remake of the 1934 Universal film of the same title directed by John M. Actress Karen Dicker's name is misspelled as "Karin" in the onscreen credits. Even though the employer/employee lines are drawn and respected, beneath it all, Lora and Annie are more like sisters.The opening and closing cast credits vary in order. Through it all, Annie remains in her employ.
#Imitation of life movie#
Lora eventually moves into a beautiful, secluded spread outside of the city, and becomes a movie star. But she is warned that the play’s “colored angle” will be “absolutely controversial.” (This, in a movie with its own “colored angle.”) Meta alert: After establishing herself in comedies, Lora wants to play a social worker in a dramatic play. She has a love interest in a straight-arrow photographer named Steve ( John Gavin) … she gets a modeling gig … she is nearly molested by a “handsy” theatrical agent ( Robert Alda) … her career heats up … she spurns Steve … she becomes the toast of Broadway … The Lora storyline is almost like another movie. Lora tries to explain to Susan why Sarah Jane is upset.īut “Imitation of Life” stars Turner, after all, and in this tale of two mothers, her character eats up much of the film’s running time. Susan is thrilled she has a slightly older playmate, at least for the night.
(We find out later that she is barely making the rent.) But when she overhears Sarah Jane asking Annie where they’re going to stay that night, Lora makes an on-the-spot decision that will affect the rest of her life: to invite Annie and Sarah Jane to her home. He left before she was born.”Īnnie assumes that the impeccably attired Lora has money, and offers to work for her as a domestic. Lora can’t help but register surprise when told that Sarah Jane is Annie’s daughter. Mother and daughter are finally reunited, and Lora is very grateful to Annie. “Sarah Jane is a lovely child,” she says. We correctly assume that the blond girl must belong to Lora.
Meanwhile, under the boardwalk, a black woman named Annie ( Juanita Moore) is giving hot dogs to two little girls, blond Susan ( Terry Burnham) and brunett Sarah Jane ( Karin Dicker). We see Lora ( Lana Turner), a blond woman with every bleached follicle sprayed into submission, frantically searching for her daughter. “Imitation of Life” opens on a sunny summer day at the Coney Island beach. Annie (Juanita Moore), Susan (Terry Burnham) and Sarah Jane (Karin Dicker) under the boardwalk.