IMITATION OF LIFE

[KnightD12]

What movie could bring a 14 year old Black male living in the segregated South in the very early 60s to the verge of tears? This one! Although I would never admit to crying, I will fess up to getting 'misty eyed'. Ahem cough, cough.

One hot summer afternoon, I decided to go to the movies. Lucky for me I lived within walking distance of 2 of the 4 movie houses that Blacks could go to. One was old, but the other had only been opened for a year or so. The new one had better air conditioning, so my choice was easy. I didn`t care what was playing, I just needed a couple of hours respite from the heat. After my 20 minute walk, I discover that "Imitation Of Life" was playing. I had been wishing for a shoot em up or a horror movie, and this looked like some sappy love story. Oh Noo... I muttered to myself, thinking its too late to turn back now.

Now this was back in da day ...before movies had a starting time. You just walked into the middle of the movie...and stayed till it started over to see what you missed. Well I watched the last 30 mins or so, then stayed through the entire next showing. It was the most powerful, moving movie I had ever seen! I swear when Mahalia Jackson sang, everyone in that movie was in tears. I had never seen anything like it. In fact about week later I went back to see it again. :)




Adolescence has not stopped Sarah Jane from attempting to pass for white: she begins dating a white boy (Troy Donohue), who severely beats her after learning she is black. Some time later, Sarah Jane passes in order to get a job performing at a seedy nightclub, and lies to Annie and tells her she is working at the library. When Annie learns the truth and appears to claim her daughter, Sarah Jane is fired, and Sarah Jane's subsequent dismissal of her mother's care begins taking a physical toll on Annie. Lora returns from her trip to Italy to find that Sarah Jane has run away from home, and has Steve hire a detective to find her. The detective locates Sarah Jane in California, living as a white woman under an assumed name and working as a chorus girl. Annie, becoming weaker and more depressed by the day, flies out to California to see her daughter one last time and say goodbye.


The plot of the 1959 version of Imitation of Life was significantly altered from the original book and the 1934 film version. In the original story, the "Lora" character, Bea Pullman, became famous with the help of her maid Annie's family waffle recipe. As a result, Bea, the white businesswoman, becomes rich, and Annie, her subservient black maid, turns down any and all offers to share any profits. The story was altered so that Lora becomes a Broadway star with her own talents, with Annie assisting her by serving as a nanny for Lora's child. In addition, producer Ross Hunter was cannily aware that these plot changes would enable Lana Turner to model an array of glamorous costumes and real jewels, something that would appeal to the female audience at that time.


Well, I can halfway understand how Sarah Jane would want to live the much easier life of being White. But to disown her own Mama in order to do so? NO WAY IN HELL!

[KnightD12]

Hey Bert, I loved that movie. I used to keep the sentimental side of me hidden. But now I`m letting my soft side shine through. LOL
And Edie, you have good looking women running all through your family....don`t cha.

[Edie Antoinette]

This is Aunt Mae with my grandfather (her brother) whom they called Bick..and it's uncanny how much my daughter looks like her, especially because me and her Daddy are both brown! DNA ain't no joke!

[Edie Antoinette]

Guess what you all? I have a great-aunt, my grandfather's sister who passed for white. My mom told me that one day she said "hi aunt Mae!!!" and my aunt was HORRIFIED!!!! *rollin laffin* I'll go get a pic of her.

[Edie Antoinette]

LOL at Bert! You don't PLAY!!! LOL!

[Boo]

I had to watch it again and just like edie said I wanted to do more than punch Mary Jane eyes out......I wanted to beat her you know what, but anyway Gene I didn't know you liked that movie

[Boo]

I was gone for a minute and came back to this,Man I loved this movie, I don't care how many times I see it. It always bring tears to my eyes I cry and cry and cry some more.

[KnightD12]

I would love to see the original...and compare the two. Hopefully Netflix has it.

[Edie Antoinette]

I forgot to say that that poster is off the chain! I like how you did that!!!!

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

This is one of my all time favorite movies and i also get a little misty eyed....LOL. About 4 years ago, i was flicking channels and came across the Original Imitation of Life made in 1934, i was shocked, i never knew one of my all time favorites was actually a remake. Great blog Brother Gene and i love the poster...

[Edie Antoinette]

I love your blogs Gene. This is impeccably put together. "Misty-eyed" indeed. *smile*

My memories of the movie take me back to Chicago when it played at the Englewood on 63rd & Halsted.
Me and my cousins went to see it, Kim, who was the oldest and her sister who is my age, Mozelle.
Kim was pregnant and their mother, my cousin Helen, had died when me and Mozie were 10..leaving 12 stairsteps. I was sad at the end, but completely crushed to observe poor Kim. She howled and cried. I think it was too close to home for her at the end. Poor thing. Kim passed away a few years ago.

I wanted to punch Sarah Janes lights out so many times in the movie, especially when her Mom came to say 'goodbye'. They all did a great job of tugging our emotions. Bravo!

Recently, my son and a friend of his had a debate about Juanita Moore. My son was sure that she was the same actress that played a small part in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?" I can't remember what we decided on..I did the research but it has dissipated from my brain like most stuff these days.

I enjoyed this immensely Gene. Excellent post!