Sunday Viewing: “Imitation of Life” 1934 and 1959

Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, 1934
Universal Pictures

In 1933, novelist Fannie Hurst wrote a controversial novel about racism and sexism in 1920’s America. In the novel, a young widow, Bea Pullman, with a small child and an invalid father hires an African American woman, Delilah, to help her with the responsibilities of running a home and business. Quite impoverished, Bea has continued her late husband’s business of selling maple syrup door-to-door. Though Bea can’t afford to pay Delilah, the woman happily agrees to work in the Pullman household so that she’ll have a comfortable home for her daughter, Peola. Peola’s father was a very light skinned African American man, and Peola appears to be Caucasian. Throughout the novel, Peola struggles with her white appearance and her black heritage with tragic results.

A scene from the 1934 film
Universal Pictures

A film version was produced in 1934 by Universal Pictures starring Claudette Colbert as Bea Pullman and Louise Beavers as Delilah. The film also starred Warren William as Bea’s love interest and Ned Sparks as her eventual business partner. Directed by John Stahl, the film stays relatively true to its source material with some exceptions. For some reason, Bea’s business venture changes from waffles to pancakes and the character of her invalid father is removed. The name of her love interest is changed along with some other minor details. The original script for Imitation of Life had a difficult time being approved by the Production Code Office who objected to the more overt depictions of racism and insisted that they be removed. Universal pictures agreed to change the more controversial elements and language in the story.

Lana Turner and Juanita Moore, 1959
Universal Pictures

Curiously, Universal decided to remake Imitation of Life in 1959. This version of the film, while still keeping the same themes—is vastly different than its predecessor and source material. In this version, the protagonist is also an impoverished widow, but she’s an aspiring actress named Lora Meredith. After misplacing her daughter on the beach, she finds Annie, an African American woman who has a light-skinned daughter named Sarah Jane. Lora agrees to give Annie and Sarah Jane a home though she can’t afford it. As Lora’s career takes off, she’s a less attentive mother than she should be, and, in some cases seems unaware of the drama involving Sarah Jane’s personal identity. Lana Turner plays Lora Meredith with Juanita Moore as Annie, Sandra Dee as Lora’s teenage daughter, Suzie, and Susan Kohner as a grown-up Sarah Jane. Other notable cast members include John Gavin, Robert Alda and Troy Donohue.

Very pink and yellow...
Lana Turner, 1959
Universal Pictures

While the outcome of the 1959 Imitation of Life is the same as the novel and first film, the journey toward that end is vastly different and considerably more tawdry. Filmed in almost blinding Technicolor, the picture is visually interesting with gorgeous costumes and jewelry, but lacks some of the power and social consciousness of its predecessors. Still, it’s a fun film to watch.

Both versions of Imitation of Life have been released on a double-sided DVD. I would strongly recommend it. Having both films gives you a chance to compare and contrast, and it’s an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Here are the first sequences of both films.