Poster of Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life

Plot: A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way
Release Date: Friday, November 23 1934
89 years ago
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Cast

Portrait of Claudette ColbertClaudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert was
31 in Imitation of Life
as 'Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman'.
Sun, Sep 13 1903 –
Tue, Jul 30 1996
Portrait of Warren WilliamWarren William
Warren William was
39 in Imitation of Life
as 'Stephen 'Steve' Archer'.
Sun, Dec 02 1894 –
Fri, Sep 24 1948
Portrait of Rochelle HudsonRochelle Hudson
Rochelle Hudson was
18 in Imitation of Life
as 'Jessie Pullman, Age 18'.
Mon, Mar 06 1916 –
Mon, Jan 17 1972
Portrait of Ned SparksNed Sparks
Ned Sparks was
51 in Imitation of Life
as 'Elmer Smith'.
Sun, Nov 18 1883 –
Wed, Apr 03 1957
Portrait of Louise BeaversLouise Beavers
Louise Beavers was
32 in Imitation of Life
as 'Delilah Johnson'.
Sat, Mar 08 1902 –
Fri, Oct 26 1962
Portrait of Fredi WashingtonFredi Washington
Fredi Washington was
30 in Imitation of Life
as 'Peola Johnson, Age 19'.
Wed, Dec 23 1903 –
Tue, Jun 28 1994
Portrait of Juanita QuigleyJuanita Quigley
Juanita Quigley was
3 in Imitation of Life
as 'Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3'.
Wed, Jun 24 1931 –
Sun, Oct 29 2017
Portrait of Alan HaleAlan Hale
Alan Hale was
42 in Imitation of Life
as 'Martin the Furniture Man'.
Tue, Feb 09 1892 –
Sun, Jan 22 1950
Portrait of Henry ArmettaHenry Armetta
Henry Armetta was
46 in Imitation of Life
as 'The Painter'.
Tue, Jul 03 1888 –
Sun, Oct 21 1945
Portrait of Wyndham StandingWyndham Standing
Wyndham Standing was
54 in Imitation of Life
as 'Beatrice's Butler Jarvis'.
Sun, Aug 22 1880 –
Fri, Feb 01 1963
Portrait of Monya AndreMonya Andre
Monya Andre was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Alyce ArdellAlyce Ardell
Alyce Ardell was
32 in Imitation of Life
as 'French Maid (uncredited)'.
Fri, Nov 14 1902 –
Sun, Mar 03 1996
Portrait of William AustinWilliam Austin
William Austin was
50 in Imitation of Life
as 'Englishman at Party (uncredited)'.
Tue, Jun 10 1884 –
Sun, Jun 15 1975
Portrait of Dorothy BlackDorothy Black
Dorothy Black was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Peola Johnson, Age 10 (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Edna BowdoinEdna Bowdoin
Edna Bowdoin was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Secretary (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Tyler BrookeTyler Brooke
Tyler Brooke was
48 in Imitation of Life
as 'Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)'.
Sat, Jun 05 1886 –
Tue, Mar 02 1943
Portrait of Daisy BuffordDaisy Bufford
Daisy Bufford was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Waitress (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Joyce ComptonJoyce Compton
Joyce Compton was
27 in Imitation of Life
as 'Young Woman at Party (uncredited)'.
Sun, Jan 27 1907 –
Mon, Oct 13 1997
Portrait of William B. DavidsonWilliam B. Davidson
William B. Davidson was
46 in Imitation of Life
as 'Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jun 15 1888 –
Sun, Sep 28 1947
Portrait of Sayre DearingSayre Dearing
Sayre Dearing was
35 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Tue, Sep 19 1899 –
Thu, Jul 05 1979
Portrait of Norma DrewNorma Drew
Norma Drew was
30 in Imitation of Life
as 'Teacher (uncredited)'.
Tue, Dec 08 1903 –
Sun, Aug 23 1998
Portrait of Jean FenwickJean Fenwick
Jean Fenwick was
27 in Imitation of Life
as 'Minor Role (uncredited)'.
Thu, May 30 1907 –
Sat, Dec 05 1998
Portrait of Noel FrancisNoel Francis
Noel Francis was
28 in Imitation of Life
as 'Mrs. Eden (uncredited)'.
Fri, Aug 31 1906 –
Fri, Oct 30 1959
Portrait of Paullyn GarnerPaullyn Garner
Paullyn Garner was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Dick GordonDick Gordon
Dick Gordon was
41 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Wed, Jun 21 1893 –
Thu, Sep 20 1956
Portrait of Jesse GravesJesse Graves
Jesse Graves was
55 in Imitation of Life
as 'Pallbearer (uncredited)'.
Tue, Mar 11 1879 –
Fri, Mar 04 1949
Portrait of Reverend GreggReverend Gregg
Reverend Gregg was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Minister (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Sebie HendricksSebie Hendricks
Sebie Hendricks was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Peola Johnson, Age 4 (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of G.P. HuntleyG.P. Huntley
G.P. Huntley was
30 in Imitation of Life
as 'James (uncredited)'.
Fri, Feb 26 1904 –
Sat, Jun 26 1971
Portrait of Stuart JohnstonStuart Johnston
Stuart Johnston was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Undertaker (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Marcia Mae JonesMarcia Mae Jones
Marcia Mae Jones was
10 in Imitation of Life
as 'Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)'.
Fri, Aug 01 1924 –
Sun, Sep 02 2007
Portrait of Tiny JonesTiny Jones
Tiny Jones was
58 in Imitation of Life
as 'Funeral Spectator (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 25 1875 –
Fri, Mar 21 1952
Portrait of Marilyn KnowldenMarilyn Knowlden
Marilyn Knowlden was
11 in Imitation of Life
as 'Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)'.
Sat, May 12 1923
Portrait of Henry KolkerHenry Kolker
Henry Kolker was
60 in Imitation of Life
as 'Dr. Preston (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 12 1874 –
Tue, Jul 15 1947
Portrait of Lenita LaneLenita Lane
Lenita Lane was
32 in Imitation of Life
as 'Mrs. Dale (uncredited)'.
Mon, Dec 16 1901 –
Wed, Mar 15 1995
Portrait of Curry LeeCurry Lee
Curry Lee was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Chauffeur (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Bessie LyleBessie Lyle
Bessie Lyle was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Woman at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Hattie McDanielHattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel was
41 in Imitation of Life
as 'Woman at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Sat, Jun 10 1893 –
Sun, Oct 26 1952
Portrait of Claire McDowellClaire McDowell
Claire McDowell was
57 in Imitation of Life
as 'Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)'.
Wed, Oct 31 1877 –
Sun, Oct 23 1966
Portrait of Harold MillerHarold Miller
Harold Miller was
40 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Thu, May 31 1894 –
Tue, Jul 18 1972
Portrait of Julius MolnarJulius Molnar
Julius Molnar was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Footman (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Bert MoorhouseBert Moorhouse
Bert Moorhouse was
40 in Imitation of Life
as 'Man at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Tue, Nov 20 1894 –
Tue, Jan 26 1954
Portrait of Edmund MortimerEdmund Mortimer
Edmund Mortimer was
60 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Fri, Aug 21 1874 –
Sun, May 21 1944
Portrait of David NewellDavid Newell
David Newell was
29 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)'.
Mon, Jan 23 1905 –
Fri, Jan 25 1980
Portrait of Barry NortonBarry Norton
Barry Norton was
29 in Imitation of Life
as 'Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jun 16 1905 –
Fri, Aug 24 1956
Portrait of Edgar NortonEdgar Norton
Edgar Norton was
66 in Imitation of Life
as 'Butler at Party (uncredited)'.
Tue, Aug 11 1868 –
Fri, Feb 06 1953
Portrait of Dennis O'KeefeDennis O'Keefe
Dennis O'Keefe was
26 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Sun, Mar 29 1908 –
Sat, Aug 31 1968
Portrait of Franklin PangbornFranklin Pangborn
Franklin Pangborn was
45 in Imitation of Life
as 'Mr. Carven (uncredited)'.
Wed, Jan 23 1889 –
Sun, Jul 20 1958
Portrait of Paul PorcasiPaul Porcasi
Paul Porcasi was
55 in Imitation of Life
as 'Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)'.
Wed, Jan 01 1879 –
Thu, Aug 08 1946
Portrait of Hayes RobinsonHayes Robinson
Hayes Robinson was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Man at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Ronald R. RondellRonald R. Rondell
Ronald R. Rondell was
31 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Mon, Sep 21 1903 –
Fri, May 14 1999
Portrait of Gay SeabrookGay Seabrook
Gay Seabrook was
33 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Thu, Apr 04 1901 –
Sat, Apr 18 1970
Portrait of Teru ShimadaTeru Shimada
Teru Shimada was
29 in Imitation of Life
as 'Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)'.
Fri, Nov 17 1905 –
Sun, Jun 19 1988
Portrait of Larry SteersLarry Steers
Larry Steers was
46 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Tue, Feb 14 1888 –
Thu, Feb 15 1951
Portrait of Madame Sul-Te-WanMadame Sul-Te-Wan
Madame Sul-Te-Wan was
61 in Imitation of Life
as 'Cook (uncredited)'.
Fri, Mar 07 1873 –
Sun, Feb 01 1959
Portrait of Ethel SykesEthel Sykes
Ethel Sykes was
28 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Tue, Jun 12 1906 –
Sun, Jan 01 1961
Portrait of Libby TaylorLibby Taylor
Libby Taylor was
32 in Imitation of Life
as 'Woman at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Sun, Apr 20 1902 –
Wed, Aug 23 1961
Portrait of Alma TellAlma Tell
Alma Tell was
36 in Imitation of Life
as 'Mrs. Craven (uncredited)'.
Sun, Mar 27 1898 –
Wed, Dec 29 1937
Portrait of Fred 'Snowflake' ToonesFred 'Snowflake' Toones
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones was
28 in Imitation of Life
as 'Man at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jan 05 1906 –
Tue, Feb 13 1962
Portrait of Martin TurnerMartin Turner
Martin Turner was
51 in Imitation of Life
as 'Man at Funeral (uncredited)'.
Wed, Dec 20 1882 –
Tue, May 14 1957
Portrait of Walter WalkerWalter Walker
Walter Walker was
70 in Imitation of Life
as 'Hugh (uncredited)'.
Sun, Mar 13 1864 –
Thu, Dec 04 1947
Portrait of Bruce WarrenBruce Warren
Bruce Warren was
30 in Imitation of Life
as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Wed, Sep 21 1904 –
Wed, Oct 19 1949
Portrait of Hazel WashingtonHazel Washington
Hazel Washington was
>> in Imitation of Life
as 'Maid (uncredited)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Clarence WilsonClarence Wilson
Clarence Wilson was
58 in Imitation of Life
as 'Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 16 1876 –
Sun, Oct 05 1941
Portrait of Jane WithersJane Withers
Jane Withers was
8 in Imitation of Life
as 'Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)'.
Mon, Apr 12 1926 –
Sat, Aug 07 2021

Crew

Portrait of John M. StahlJohn M. Stahl
Director
John M. Stahl was
48 in Imitation of Life
Thu, Jan 21 1886 –
Thu, Jan 12 1950
Portrait of Merritt B. GerstadMerritt B. Gerstad
Director of Photography
Merritt B. Gerstad was
34 in Imitation of Life
Thu, Jul 05 1900 –
Fri, Mar 01 1974
Portrait of Theodore SoderbergTheodore Soderberg
Sound Director
Theodore Soderberg was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Scott R. BealScott R. Beal
Assistant Director
Scott R. Beal was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Fred FrankFred Frank
Assistant Director
Fred Frank was
40 in Imitation of Life
Sun, Sep 23 1894 –
Tue, Jan 27 1959
Portrait of William HurlbutWilliam Hurlbut
Screenplay
William Hurlbut was
56 in Imitation of Life
Sat, Jul 13 1878 –
Sat, May 04 1957
Portrait of Carl Laemmle Jr.Carl Laemmle Jr.
Producer
Carl Laemmle Jr. was
26 in Imitation of Life
Tue, Apr 28 1908 –
Mon, Sep 24 1979
Portrait of Henry HenigsonHenry Henigson
Associate Producer
Henry Henigson was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Maurice WrightMaurice Wright
Editor
Maurice Wright was
26 in Imitation of Life
Sat, Jun 06 1908 –
Wed, Sep 18 1996
Portrait of Philip CahnPhilip Cahn
Editor
Philip Cahn was
40 in Imitation of Life
Mon, Jun 18 1894 –
Fri, Sep 28 1984
Portrait of Heinz RoemheldHeinz Roemheld
Music
Heinz Roemheld was
33 in Imitation of Life
Wed, May 01 1901 –
Mon, Feb 11 1985
Portrait of John P. FultonJohn P. Fulton
Special Effects
John P. Fulton was
32 in Imitation of Life
Tue, Nov 04 1902 –
Tue, Jul 05 1966
Portrait of Travis BantonTravis Banton
Costume Design
Travis Banton was
40 in Imitation of Life
Fri, Aug 17 1894 –
Sun, Feb 02 1958
Portrait of Fannie HurstFannie Hurst
Novel
Fannie Hurst was
49 in Imitation of Life
Mon, Oct 19 1885 –
Fri, Feb 23 1968
Portrait of Jack PierceJack Pierce
Makeup Artist
Jack Pierce was
45 in Imitation of Life
Sun, May 05 1889 –
Fri, Jul 19 1968
Portrait of Joe LapisJoe Lapis
Sound mixer
Joe Lapis was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Dorothy PonedelDorothy Ponedel
Makeup Artist
Dorothy Ponedel was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Gilbert KurlandGilbert Kurland
Sound
Gilbert Kurland was
29 in Imitation of Life
Sun, Nov 27 1904 –
Sun, Feb 26 1978
Portrait of Charles D. HallCharles D. Hall
Art Direction
Charles D. Hall was
46 in Imitation of Life
Fri, Apr 20 1888 –
Wed, Apr 08 1970
Portrait of William ElyWilliam Ely
Makeup Artist
William Ely was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Jane RomanJane Roman
Hairstylist
Jane Roman was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of M.F. MurphyM.F. Murphy
Production Manager
M.F. Murphy was
44 in Imitation of Life
Fri, Nov 29 1889 –
Tue, Nov 21 1961
Portrait of Jack BolgerJack Bolger
Boom Operator
Jack Bolger was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of George SchumanGeorge Schuman
Grip
George Schuman was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Mary WestMary West
Child Wrangler
Mary West was
>> in Imitation of Life
Unknown Birthday