Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life

111 mins | Drama, Romance | Nov. 23, 1934

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.

Imitation of Life

111 mins | Drama, Romance | Nov. 23, 1934

Imitation of Life
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.
IMDb rating 7.5
Producers Universal Pictures
Original title Imitation of Life
Directors Fred Frank, Scott R. Beal, John M. Stahl
Writers Fannie Hurst, William Hurlbut

Cast

Claudette Colbert

as Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman

Warren William

as Stephen 'Steve' Archer

Rochelle Hudson

as Jessie Pullman, Age 18

Ned Sparks

as Elmer Smith

Louise Beavers

as Delilah Johnson

Fredi Washington

as Peola Johnson, Age 19

Juanita Quigley

as Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3

Alan Hale

as Martin the Furniture Man

Henry Armetta

as The Painter

Wyndham Standing

as Beatrice's Butler Jarvis

Monya Andre

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Alyce Ardell

as French Maid (uncredited)

William Austin

as Englishman at Party (uncredited)

Dorothy Black

as Peola Johnson, Age 10 (uncredited)

Edna Bowdoin

as Secretary (uncredited)

Tyler Brooke

as Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)

Daisy Bufford

as Waitress (uncredited)

Joyce Compton

as Young Woman at Party (uncredited)

William B. Davidson

as Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)

Sayre Dearing

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Norma Drew

as Teacher (uncredited)

Jean Fenwick

as Minor Role (uncredited)

Noel Francis

as Mrs. Eden (uncredited)

Paullyn Garner

as Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)

Dick Gordon

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Jesse Graves

as Pallbearer (uncredited)

Reverend Gregg

as Minister (uncredited)

Sebie Hendricks

as Peola Johnson, Age 4 (uncredited)

G.P. Huntley

as James (uncredited)

Stuart Johnston

as Undertaker (uncredited)

Marcia Mae Jones

as Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)

Tiny Jones

as Funeral Spectator (uncredited)

Marilyn Knowlden

as Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)

Henry Kolker

as Dr. Preston (uncredited)

Lenita Lane

as Mrs. Dale (uncredited)

Curry Lee

as Chauffeur (uncredited)

Bessie Lyle

as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)

Hattie McDaniel

as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)

Claire McDowell

as Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)

Harold Miller

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Julius Molnar

as Footman (uncredited)

Bert Moorhouse

as Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Edmund Mortimer

as Party Guest (uncredited)

David Newell

as Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)

Barry Norton

as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)

Edgar Norton

as Butler at Party (uncredited)

Dennis O'Keefe

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Franklin Pangborn

as Mr. Carven (uncredited)

Paul Porcasi

as Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)

Hayes Robinson

as Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Ronald R. Rondell

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Gay Seabrook

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Teru Shimada

as Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)

Larry Steers

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Madame Sul-Te-Wan

as Cook (uncredited)

Ethel Sykes

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Libby Taylor

as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)

Alma Tell

as Mrs. Craven (uncredited)

Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

as Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Martin Turner

as Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Walter Walker

as Hugh (uncredited)

Bruce Warren

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Hazel Washington

as Maid (uncredited)

Clarence Wilson

as Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)

Jane Withers

as Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)