Imitation of Life
70 %|Nov 23, 1934|Drama, Romance
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.
Featured Crew
John M. Stahl
Director
Fannie Hurst
Novel
William Hurlbut
Screenplay
Carl Laemmle Jr.
Producer
Henry Henigson
Associate Producer
Heinz Roemheld
Music
Merritt B. Gerstad
Director of Photography
Philip Cahn
Editor
Cast
Claudette Colbert
Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman
Warren William
Stephen 'Steve' Archer
Rochelle Hudson
Jessie Pullman, Age 18
Ned Sparks
Elmer Smith
Louise Beavers
Delilah Johnson
Fredi Washington
Peola Johnson, Age 19
Juanita Quigley
Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3
Alan Hale
Martin the Furniture Man
Henry Armetta
The Painter
Wyndham Standing
Beatrice's Butler Jarvis
Monya Andre
Party Guest (uncredited)
Alyce Ardell
French Maid (uncredited)
William Austin
Englishman at Party (uncredited)
Dorothy Black
Peola Johnson, Age 10 (uncredited)
Edna Bowdoin
Secretary (uncredited)
Tyler Brooke
Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)
Daisy Bufford
Waitress (uncredited)
Joyce Compton
Young Woman at Party (uncredited)
William B. Davidson
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing
Party Guest (uncredited)
Norma Drew
Teacher (uncredited)
Jean Fenwick
Minor Role (uncredited)
Noel Francis
Mrs. Eden (uncredited)
Paullyn Garner
Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)
Dick Gordon
Party Guest (uncredited)
Jesse Graves
Pallbearer (uncredited)
Reverend Gregg
Minister (uncredited)
Sebie Hendricks
Peola Johnson, Age 4 (uncredited)
G.P. Huntley
James (uncredited)
Stuart Johnston
Undertaker (uncredited)
Marcia Mae Jones
Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)
Tiny Jones
Funeral Spectator (uncredited)
Marilyn Knowlden
Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)
Henry Kolker
Dr. Preston (uncredited)
Lenita Lane
Mrs. Dale (uncredited)
Curry Lee
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Bessie Lyle
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Hattie McDaniel
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Claire McDowell
Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)
Harold Miller
Party Guest (uncredited)
Julius Molnar
Footman (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Edmund Mortimer
Party Guest (uncredited)
David Newell
Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)
Barry Norton
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Edgar Norton
Butler at Party (uncredited)
Dennis O'Keefe
Party Guest (uncredited)
Franklin Pangborn
Mr. Carven (uncredited)
Paul Porcasi
Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
Hayes Robinson
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Ronald R. Rondell
Party Guest (uncredited)
Gay Seabrook
Party Guest (uncredited)
Teru Shimada
Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)
Larry Steers
Party Guest (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Cook (uncredited)
Ethel Sykes
Party Guest (uncredited)
Libby Taylor
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Alma Tell
Mrs. Craven (uncredited)
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Martin Turner
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Walter Walker
Hugh (uncredited)
Bruce Warren
Party Guest (uncredited)
Hazel Washington
Maid (uncredited)
Clarence Wilson
Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)
Jane Withers
Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)