Imitation of life 1934 book

Imitation of life general discussions tcm message boards. The imitation of life is one of the most powerful cinematic displays of racial passing in movie history. 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. While its narrative reveals how problematic the representation and depiction of people of color was in 1934, this film. 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. Imitation of life alamo drafthouse cinema imitation of life manages to function not only as a straightforward melodrama of its era, but also as a notsohidden critique of the suffocating. The film was so famous among blacks that peola, the name of one of the main characters, was still a byword for selfhating blacks as late as the 1970s.

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. It was sirks final hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way. The book was made into a hollywood film in 1934 and 1959. While the delilahpeola storyline is given a prominence and gravitas unusual for africanamerican characters of the era and theres even a little zinger when peola indicates the jazz band hired for the big party plays pretty well for white boys.

Imitation of life hurst, fannie, daniel itzkovitz, itzkovitz, daniel on. Based on the 1933 book by fannie hurst and, from what ive read, its a fairly faithful adaptation. Read the full synopsis of imitation of life, 1934, directed by john m. One of their rules included preventing any form of miscegenation being depicted. Imitation of life was originally a popular but unremarkable romantic potboiler novel by fannie hurst. One can learn a lot of life lessons from the entire film itself, and the main one. It wasnt a small feat to get this film into theaters either. Director jm stahl first made it into a film in 1934 and by the time sirk brought it to the screen for the second time, the story had been. A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fairskinned daughter.

In the two films imitation of life the 1934 version and the 1959 version, motherhood is a topic. Claudette colbert beatricebea pullman, warren william stephen archer, ned sparks elmer smith. Its been years, but i recall thinking that the 1934 version and pinky1949 told the tragic mulatta story in a more complex and interesting way than the 1959 film. The movie was originally made in 1934 with a remake in 1959. Imitation of life is a deeply interesting movie, but only if you go in knowing that its not something you just watch. I know why the caged bird sings 1979 diahann carroll constance good maya angelou duration. Imitation of life is a 1934 american drama film directed by john m. Imitation of life stands as sirks masterpiece and perhaps the greatest hollywood melodrama ever made. 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. Virginia 1967, numerous southern states passed laws enforcing a onedrop rule, requiring that persons of any. Imitation of life is the second film adaptation of fannie hursts novel of the same name. Colbert is a working girl who yearns to operate her own business, which she does thanks to beavers special. The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, fannie hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. Imitation of life is a 1959 american drama film directed by douglas sirk, produced by ross hunter and released by universal international.

The film imitation of life is no different, in two films adaptations it is easy to see the society and ideals reflected in both movies. How biology is inspiring computing mit press by forbes, nancy and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Imitation of life struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. Stahls 1934 imitation of life with douglas sirks betterknown version from 1959, an examination of savage inequities. Lana turner, claudette colbert, juanita moore, louise beavers, john gavin, warren william, sandra dee, rochelle. The screen version of fannie hursts imitation of life. Most of the time those who serve are over looked and underappreciated. 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 by douglas sirk douglas sirk, lana. Twentieth century van spice, 1934 thirtyday princess scenario, 1934 we live again adaptacija, 1934 imitation of life van spice, 1934 the good fairy scenario, 1935 diamond jim scenario, 1935 next time we love van spice, 1936 love before breakfast van spice, 1936 one rainy afternoon tekstovi, 1936 hotel haywire scenario, 1937. Based on a bestselling novel by fannie hurst, sirks film was the second adaptation of the book, and it strays much farther from the source material than the more straightforward 1934 screen version. But success doesnt save them from sorrow with the passing years. A young, struggling widow and single mother takes in a black housekeeper and her lightskinned daughter.

In two different versions from different years, these feature films tell the story of two widows and their troubled daughters. Imitation of life 19341959 by douglas sirk, john m. With claudette colbert, warren william, rochelle hudson, ned sparks. Two widows from different lives find that they need eachother and about the support they give to one another. Claudette colbert stars in john stahls oscarnominated melodrama january 24, 2009 by emanuellevy the first, rather faithful screen version of fannie hursts popular novel, imitation to life was helmed by john stahl, a director who specialized in lavish melodramas leave her to heaven and womens. Colbert is a widow with a baby daughter who hires beavers, who also has a daughter, as a housekeeper. Hurst, fannie, daniel itzkovitz, itzkovitz, daniel. 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. The two women start a pancake store which becomes a successful business, however they face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way. Given a choice, i prefer watching the original version. Imitation of life became universals biggest moneymaker to date, and a 1995 poll by the new york daily news still ranked it as one of the topten alltime favorite films. Style and the domestic melodrama, an article originally published in jump cut, no. 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. Imitation of life 1933 is a book written by fannie hurst, a oncefamous american writer.

It was the only hollywood film of the 1930s to view race as a serious issue. The untold story of imitation of life is a fitting title for a book about the behindthescenes details of one of the greatest melodramas in american film, matched. Since a candid examination of fannie hursts imitation of life will only force this unpleasant department to label it the most shameless tearjerker of the fall, let us proceed to an objective. Things turn for the better when delilah johnson a devoted young mother and servant offers her service to pullan. The film was, of course, remade by douglas sirk and released in 1959, colbert and beavers roles taken over by lana turner and juanita moore. Reflecting on the film imitation of life during womens. Directed by 1 writing credits 12 cast 65 produced by 2 music by 1 cinematography by 1 film editing by 2 art direction by 1 costume design by 1 makeup department 4 production management 1 second unit director or assistant director 2. The film stars claudette colbert, warren william, and rochelle hudson, and features louise beavers and fredi washington. From the turn of the 20th century until the supreme court ruled in loving v. But what makes imitation of life so interesting is the subversive and ironic touches that sirk includes. 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. Ned sparks deadpan is maybe the greatest thing about it. Imitation of life is the demonstration of the sad reality that the book is not always better than the movie. Buy a cheap copy of imitation of life book by fannie hurst.

A bestseller in 1933, and subsequently adapted into two beloved and controversial films, imitation of life has played a vital role in ongoing conversations about. Stahl, with claudette colbert, warren william, rochelle hudson, at turner classic movies. Imitation of life is a popular 1933 novel by fannie hurst that was adapted into two successful films for universal pictures. Delilahs lightskinned teenager rejects her mother and her race, while bea must choose between. Imitation of life was the last collaboration for producer ross hunter and director douglas sirk, who previously had teamed for such hit melodramas as magnificent obsession. The untold story of imitation of life is a fitting title for a. The 1934 version of imitation of life is definitely less glossy and doesnt have the same distraction of pretty clothes and the staractress glamour. 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.