Imitation of life 1959 the last film in hollywood of director douglas sirk written on the wind, the 1959 imitation of lifean adaptation of fannie hursts novelis an endlessly fascinating film that speaks volumes about the american journey toward materialism and the racial tensions that are inseparable from it. 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 pict. Claudette colbert was the epitomy of grace and style throughout the movie and i love watching her movies to this day. Reflecting on the film imitation of life during womens. Mar 02, 2020 it wasnt a small feat to get this film into theaters either. The relationship between two women, one black and one white, and their daughters is fraught with matters of racial tension and identity. Stahls 1934 imitation of life with douglas sirks betterknown version from 1959, an examination of savage inequities. While its narrative reveals how problematic the representation and depiction of people of color was in 1934, this film. Imitation of life 1959 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. The two soon become wealthy and as the years go on, their friendship deepens.
Imitation of life is the second film adaptation of fannie hursts novel of the same name. But to my surprise, there was an earlier 1934 version. Imitation of life 1934 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The last film in hollywood of director douglas sirk written on the wind, the 1959. A presentation of such a movie, in 1934, was for its time quite a risk, but fortunately it didnt go unnoticed. The original theatrical release print of imitation of life featured different title cards, including a title card containing a brief prologue, which read. Rent imitation of life 1934 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. Ashamed of her mother, peola seeks a new life by passing for white. Bea comes up with a plan to market delilahs pancake recipe. Imitation of life is a 1959 american drama film directed by douglas sirk, produced by ross hunter and released by universal international.
Stahl, is the first and best screen adaptation to fannie hursts celebrated novel, yet underrated. She got fourth billing in a 1937 fox film, one mile from heaven, but that was it. I watch this movie all the time and think that its a movie that everyone should see. Imitation of life 1959 movie clip title song, credits by peter pan. 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 is a 1934 american drama film directed by john m. It was sirks final hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. The first of two film version of fannie hursts novel, 1934s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette. 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. Their relationships with their daughters, however, become strained.
Imitation of life 1934 imitation of life 1934 user. Mar 12, 20 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 pict. Imitation of life the new universal, 1934, directed by john m. According to robesons son, she had a longrunning affair with the actorsinger. Imitation of life 1934 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Imitation of life 1934 was my favorite movie because of the moral of the story and how it tackled the racial issues of the day. Jan 09, 2012 imitation of life trailer directed by john m. Adapted from activist and protofeminist fannie hursts 1933 novel, the remake is generally regarded as superior despite veering sharply in many respects from the novel and first film, but it was the bigger boxoffice success and today. 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. Just log on to your verizon account and watch the latest shows online. It features claudette colbert, louise beavers, and freddie washington and examines the role of race. Colbert is a widow with a baby daughter who hires beavers, who also has a daughter, as a housekeeper. Read the full synopsis of imitation of life, 1934, directed by john m.
Colbert is a working girl who yearns to operate her own business, which she does thanks to beavers special. This is a fascinating and unique trailer to the classic social drama imitation of life 1934, one of the first major films to tackle race issues because it was clearly made for africanamerican movie houses and centers on the acclaim for the performances of black actresses louise beavers and fredi washington. Stahl on allmovie the plain jane stepsister next to douglas sirks. Washington was active in the harlem renaissance 1920s1930s, her best known role being peola in the 1934 version of the film imitation of life 1934, in which she plays a young lightskinned woman who decides to pass as white. Jul 06, 2017 english, 2016, movie, full, 2017 movie trailers, action movies,\r\r\r\rsubscribe to trailers. Imitation of life is without question one of my alltime favorite movies. Mar 12, 20 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. It wasnt a small feat to get this film into theaters either. This particular dvd edition includes the 1959 version, which was a treat as i had not seen it. Imitation of life 1934 trailer turner classic movies. 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. Watch the full length movie of imitation of life 1934 online or on the fios mobile app.
Imitation of life did get the honor of a best picture nomination, losing to colberts other 1934 release, it happened one night, a comedy. Stahl, with claudette colbert, warren william, rochelle hudson, at turner classic movies. Claudette colbert and louise beavers are superb as bea and delilah, two women with young daughters who build a life and a fortune together selling delilahs pancake recipe. The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united first in mutual need, then success and ultimately, in heartache in this academy. Like most of hursts novels, imitation of life became a popular screen success as well in both of its versions. 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. 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 1934 version won academy award nominations for best picture and best sound while the 1959 version garnered best supporting actress oscar nominations for juanita moore and susan kohner.
Imitation of life was made in 1934, which means that the hays code, a set of moral policy and guidelines filmmakers were obligated to follow before releasing their work to the public, was still in effect. Imitation of life 1934 drama romance a struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fairskinned daughter. Imitation of life the 1934 movie, trailers, videos and more at yidio. Washingtons dusky gorgeousness in imitation of life must have scared hollywood bosses even as it tempted them. The screenplay by william hurlbut, based on fannie hursts 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including preston sturges and finley peter dunne. Jul 05, 2018 this video shows clips from the original 1934 film imitation of life directed by john stall.
One of their rules included preventing any form of miscegenation being depicted. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. This video shows clips from the original 1934 film imitation of life directed by john stall. Rent imitation of life 1934 starring claudette colbert and warren william on dvd and bluray. The screenplay by william hurlbut, based on fannie hurst s 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including preston sturges and finley peter dunne. Watch imitation of life 1934 online verizon fios tv. The screenplay by william hurlbut, based on fannie hursts 1933 novel of the same. Imitation of life is a deeply interesting movie, but only if you go in knowing that its not something you just watch. Two widows from different lives find that they need eachother and about the support they give to one another.
A widow and her housekeeper go into business together but. Stahls 1934 imitation of life with douglas sirks betterknown version from 1959, an examination of savage. Atlantic city, in 1919, was not just a boardwalk, rollingchairs and expensive hotels where bridal couples spent their honeymoons. Stahl and starring warren william, ned sparks, alan hale, henry armetta, wyndham standing. Watch imitation of life 1934 movie trailer instantly, no need to login. Claudette colbert and louise beavers are superb as bea and delilah, two women with. Although i had never seen the 1934 version before, i loved just as much i did the 1959 version. This glamorized remake of the 1934 film imitation of life bears only a passing resemblance to its source, the bestselling novel by fannie hurst. Imitation of life 1959 the last film in hollywood of director douglas sirk written on the wind, the 1959 imitation of life an adaptation of fannie hursts novelis an endlessly fascinating film that speaks volumes about the american journey toward materialism and the racial tensions that are inseparable from it. Imitation of life 1934 movie clip the pancake queen. 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.
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