IMDb > Imitation of Life (1959)
Imitation of Life
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Imitation of Life (1959) More at IMDbPro »

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Imitation of Life (1959) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)
Imitation of Life (1959) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   4,274 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Douglas Sirk
Writers:
Eleanore Griffin (screenplay) and
Allan Scott (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Imitation of Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 April 1959 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
Plot:
A struggling young actress with a six-year-old daughter sets up housekeeping with a homeless black widow and her light-skinned eight-year-old daughter who rejects her mother by trying to pass for white. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Actress Sandra Dee Dies at 62
 (From IMDb News. 21 February 2005)

Actress Sandra Dee Dies at 62
 (From IMDb News. 20 February 2005)

User Comments:
Superb movie! more (105 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Lana Turner ... Lora Meredith
John Gavin ... Steve Archer
Sandra Dee ... Susie, age 16
Susan Kohner ... Sarah Jane, age 18
Robert Alda ... Allen Loomis
Dan O'Herlihy ... David Edwards
Juanita Moore ... Annie Johnson
Karin Dicker ... Sarah Jane, age 8
Terry Burnham ... Susie, age 6
John Vivyan ... Young man
Lee Goodman ... Photographer
Ann Robinson ... Showgirl

Troy Donahue ... Frankie
Sandra Gould ... Annette
David Tomack ... Mr. McKenney
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
125 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono | Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
UK:12 (video rating) (uncut) (2005) | UK:U (original rating) (cut) | South Korea:12 (1999) | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #19184) | West Germany:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Lana Turner took a much smaller salary, than her usual $25,000 per week and worked for 50% of the film's profits, which earned her over $2 million (setting a record for an actress at the time). more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The type of desk telephone in Robert Alda's 1947 office was not developed until the mid-1950s. more
Quotes:
Steve: Your bones...
Lora Meredith: What about my bones?
Steve: They're perfect. My camera could easily have a love affair with you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in For Pete's Wake! (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Imitation of Life more

FAQ

In what kind of car did Steve arrive at Susie's graduation party?
What was wrong with Annie?
Who sang the song at the funeral?
more
5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
Superb movie!, 18 July 2000
Author: Jamie F. Taylor from Tampa, Florida

What can you say about this wonderful classic?!

The acting is extraordinary -- especially Ms. Moore and Ms. Kohner.

The music, the gowns, and Lana Turner.

I'm afraid that Ms. Moore and Ms. Kohner stole the show from the perceived stars of this movie.

I have always been a Sandra Dee fan. I read somewhere that she was most proud of her work in this film. I don't think she had anything to be ashamed of.

The underlying theme of this movie was so heartwrenching. You can never forget the ending, especially Ms. Kohner's line "That's my momma!"

A wonderful, wonderful movie. Very moving!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (105 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Imitation of Life (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
JOHN GAVIN A DEFINITE ASSET kenolting
Crying Over This Film musicman81
Even to this day it touches my heart obsid1177
Is this the movie in which....? jose_qf
If you were in Sarah Jane's shoes would..... jasbru7
Is the 1934 version better? vanjac12
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