Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life

125 mins | Drama, Romance | Oct. 2, 1959

In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.

Imitation of Life

125 mins | Drama, Romance | Oct. 2, 1959

Imitation of Life
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
IMDb rating 7.8
Producers Universal International Pictures
Original title Imitation of Life
Directors Luanna Sherman, Wilson Shyer, Frank Shaw, Douglas Sirk
Writers Allan Scott, Fannie Hurst, Eleanore Griffin

Cast

Lana Turner

as Lora Meredith

John Gavin

as Steve Archer

Sandra Dee

as Susie (16)

Susan Kohner

as Sarah Jane (18)

Robert Alda

as Allen Loomis

Dan O'Herlihy

as David Edwards

Juanita Moore

as Annie Johnson

Karin Dicker

as Sarah Jane (8)

Terry Burnham

as Susie (6)

John Vivyan

as Young man

Lee Goodman

as Photographer

Ann Robinson

as Showgirl

Troy Donahue

as Frankie

Sandra Gould

as Receptionist

David Tomack

as Mr. McKenney

Joel Fluellen

as Minister

Jack Weston

as Stage manager

Billy House

as Fat Man on Beach

Maida Severn

as Teacher

Than Wyenn

as Romano

Peg Shirley

as Fay

Mahalia Jackson

as Choir Soloist

Bess Flowers

as Geraldine Moore (uncredited)

Frank Baker

as Party Guest

Alex Ball

as Audience Member

George Barrows

as Furniture Mover

Chet Brandenburg

as Man at Coney Island

Teddy Buckner

as Marching Band Member

George Calliga

as Security

Steve Carruthers

as Actor at Audition

Richard Collier

as McKinney

Paul Cristo

as Show Spectator

Joe Darensbourg

as Marching Band Member

Robert Darin

as Waiter

Mike De Lay

as Marching Band Member

Elinor Donahue

as Lora's Friend

Adolf Eichmann

as Himself (Archive Footage)

Cicely Evans

as Louis Morton

Myrna Fahey

as Iris Dawn

George Ford

as Show Spectator

Tedd Hadfield

as Cop

Lynne Hunter

as Teacher

Nelson Leigh

as Doctor

Paul Levitt

as Waiter

John McNamara

as Doctor

Joseph Mell

as Watchman

Eddie Parker

as Cop at Funeral

Waclaw Rekwart

as Restaurant Patron

Cosmo Sardo

as Audience Member

Jeffrey Sayre

as Audience Member

Cap Somers

as Truck Driver

Ted Thorpe

as Dog Owner

Napoleon Whiting

as Kenneth, Lora's Butler