ENESPT
Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life (1934)★ 7.5/10

Approved · US · 111 min · October 1, 1934

  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance

Directed by: John M. Stahl

Written by: Fannie Hurst, William Hurlbut, Preston Sturges, Finley Peter Dunne, Walter Ferris

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.

Directed by

John M. Stahl

Written by

Fannie HurstWilliam HurlbutPreston SturgesFinley Peter DunneWalter FerrisBianca GilchristVictor HeermanSarah Y. MasonSamuel OrnitzArthur Richman

Cast & crew

Claudette ColbertBeatrice PullmanWarren WilliamStephen ArcherRochelle HudsonJessie PullmanNed SparksElmer SmithLouise BeaversDelilah JohnsonFredi WashingtonPeola JohnsonJuanita QuigleyBaby Jessie PullmanAlan HaleMartin the Furniture ManHenry ArmettaThe PainterWyndham StandingJarvis the ButlerMonya AndreParty Guest (uncredited)Alyce ArdellFrench Maid (uncredited)William AustinEnglishman at Party (uncredited)Dorothy BlackPeola at 10 (uncredited)Edna BowdoinBlack Secretary (uncredited)Tyler BrookeTipsy Man at Party (uncredited)Daisy BuffordBlack Waitress (uncredited)Curry Lee CalmesBlack Chauffeur (uncredited)Joyce ComptonYoung Woman at Party (uncredited)Oliver CrossParty Guest (uncredited)William B. DavidsonMan Buying Cigar (uncredited)Sayre DearingParty Guest (uncredited)Norma DrewTeacher (uncredited)Jean FenwickMinor Role (uncredited)Noel FrancisMrs. Eden (uncredited)Paullyn GarnerMrs. Ramsey (uncredited)Dick GordonParty Guest (uncredited)Jesse GravesPallbearer (uncredited)Reverend GreggBlack Minister (uncredited)Betty Jean HaineyPeola's Classmate (uncredited)Sebie HendricksPeola at 4 (uncredited)G.P. HuntleyJames (uncredited)Stuart JohnstonBlack Undertaker (uncredited)Marcia Mae JonesPeola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)Tiny JonesFuneral Spectator (uncredited)Marilyn KnowldenJessie at 8 (uncredited)Henry KolkerDr. Preston (uncredited)Lenita LaneMrs. Dale (uncredited)Ula LoveGirl (uncredited)Bessie LyleWoman at Funeral (uncredited)Priscilla LyonPeola's Classmate (uncredited)Hattie McDanielWoman at Funeral (uncredited)Claire McDowellTeacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)Roger McGeeSchoolboy (uncredited)Harold MillerParty Guest (uncredited)Julius MolnarFootman (uncredited)Bert MoorhouseMan at Funeral (uncredited)Edmund MortimerParty Guest (uncredited)David NewellParty Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)Barry NortonYoung Man Giving Toast (uncredited)Edgar NortonButler at Party (uncredited)Dennis O'KeefeParty Guest (uncredited)Franklin PangbornMr. Carven (uncredited)Paul PorcasiJackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)Hayes E. RobertsonMan at Funeral (uncredited)Ronald R. RondellParty Guest (uncredited)Gay SeabrookParty Guest (uncredited)Teru ShimadaJapanese Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)Larry SteersParty Guest (uncredited)Reggie StreeterPeola's Classmate (uncredited)Madame Sul-Te-WanBlack Cook (uncredited)Ethel SykesParty Guest (uncredited)Libby TaylorWoman at Funeral (uncredited)Alma TellMrs. Craven (uncredited)Fred 'Snowflake' ToonesMan at Funeral (uncredited)Martin TurnerMan at Funeral (uncredited)Walter WalkerHugh (uncredited)Bruce WarrenParty Guest (uncredited)Hazel WashingtonBlack Maid (uncredited)Clarence WilsonMr. Bristol (uncredited)Jane WithersFrontrow Classmate (uncredited)