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1959 film remake of a 1934 Claudette Colbert film. In this movie, Lana Turner plays the lead as Lora Meredith, an aspiring single, Broadway actress with a nine-year-old daughter, Susie. When Susie strays off at the beach, a helpful stranger, Steve Archer (John Gavin), assists with the search and they find Susie being looked-after by a black woman, Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore) and her daughter, Sarah Jane, who unlike her mother, looks white. Susie persuades her mother to let Annie and her daughter stay with them temporarily. This is just the beginning of a life-long friendship between Lora and Annie, who goes on to serve as housekeeper, nanny, and confidant. The problem is their two girls, who, on the one hand, Susie, is somewhat neglected by her mother who is more interested in her career, and Sarah Jane, who for all purposes looks white, and desperately tries to pass for white. Throughout their lives, Lora is always on the fringe of finding love, only to reject it for her pursuit of her career; Susie, who falls in love with her mother's fiancee; Sarah Jane who is always running away from the fact that she is black, and desperately tries to pass as white, and poor old Annie who is dying of a broken heart. This movie has many great scenes and there is a deep story of life being told throughout. It is one of those films that came about at the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement, along with "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and others. Good entertainment at the time, but not all that believable.Read full review
Brand new quality of picture was great classic movie I highly recommend purchasing this DVD
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is one of the top emotionally compelling movies I have seen in decades! I also think the major & background plots are all applicable to today's Times. I believe it's a must-see for anyone any age any background as there's much to learn from this movie and it will affect you- it will be remembered and you will tell others about it!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
When I was younger, our mom used to make us watch this movie. At the time, I could't possibly appreciate it because of the contents. Now, some 40+ years later, I find this movie to be something that everyone, no matter who, what ethnic background, or how rich or poor, should be able to appreciate. The story focusses a lot on one particular character. She, like so many today, seems to want to be someone she isn't. Because of this, she causes much pain for her mother and, eventually, herself. The movie compels one to look inside themselves and examine who they really are. I had this movie before in VHS format. I loaned it to one of my co-workers who said that she enjoyed the movie immensely. She also said that she noticed that even her husband was touched by the movie. The real clencher though, is this. She said that this was one of her daughter's favorite movies. Her daughter at the time was only six years old. Perhaps the name of the movie should actually be: A Lesson in Life. This is a truly good (GREAT) movie. Very inspiring. EVERYONE should see it. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Beautiful Lana Turner seems to be the main actress in this glossy, beautiful production, but it is Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner who got the Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. (Neither won.) The story revolves around the unexpected friendship between two little girls who meet at the beach and bring their needy mothers together. Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner) and Susie (Sandra Dee) meet and make friends at Coney Island. When their mothers, Laura Meredith (Lana Turner) and Annie (Juanita Moore), are ready to leave, the girls start crying. Although the mothers are aware of the racial differences, they decide to live together anyway. Laura is barely making ends meet, and Annie is homeless. The title of the movie seems weird. But upon analyzing the movie, it makes sense. Laura is so busy trying to make it as a model and actress, she leaves the household to Annie. Annie, on the other hand, is the true heroine of the story. Not only does Annie end up raising both girls and taking care of Laura, but she gives us all lessons in acceptance. But Annie has one fault: she is too patient with her own daughter who wants to be white (She looks white too.) And Susie is in love with one of her mother's beaux (John Gavin). This movie, as you can see, is pure soap opera, but what a ride! Based on the novel by Fannie Hurst, "Imitation of Life" is at least a 3 hanky movie. The real tear jerking part of it involves the disappointment of Annie in her daughter, and the frustration of Sarah Jane as she makes her moves to appear white and escape the race that she doesn't want to be a part of. For those of us who were not around in 1959, this movie gives a very good illustration of what it might have been like to be black at this time. And the ending with a very emotional performance by Mahalia Jackson has a lesson for all of us too. We need to accept who we are no matter what race, size, weight, or other self-disappointing feature that we might have. Further, we can be beautiful no matter what we see in the mirror. This DVD has no special features but comes with a one page sheet telling the scenes on one side and a picture of Lana Turner with two of her beaux on the other. The movie is lavishly produced--soap opera style--and is probably what today is called a chick flick. However, it is full of lessons for all of us.Read full review