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Imitation of Life

Year:

1934

Duration:

111 min

Genres:

Drama | Romance

IMDB rate:

7.6

Director:

John M. Stahl

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1934-11-26

Filming Locations: Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Cast

Actor

Character

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

Jarvis, Beatrice's Butler

Monya Andre

Party Guest (uncredited)

Alyce Ardell

French Maid (uncredited)

William Austin

Englishman at Party (uncredited)

Dorothy Black

Peola Johnson, Age 35

Edna Bowdoin

Black Secretary (uncredited)

Tyler Brooke

Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)

Daisy Bufford

Black Waitress (uncredited)

Joyce Compton

Young Woman at Party (uncredited)

William B. Davidson

Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)

Norma Drew

Teacher (uncredited)

Jean Fenwick

Bit Role (uncredited)

Noel Francis

Mrs. Eden (uncredited)

Paullyn Garner

Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)

Reverend Gregg

Black Minister (uncredited)

Sebie Hendricks

Peola Johnson, Age 4

G.P. Huntley

James (uncredited)

Stuart Johnston

Black Undertaker (uncredited)

Marcia Mae Jones

Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)

Tiny Jones

Funeral Spectator (uncredited)

Marilyn Knowlden

Jessie Pullman, Age 8

Henry Kolker

Dr. Preston (uncredited)

Lenita Lane

Mrs. Dale (uncredited)

Curry Lee

Black Chauffeur (uncredited)

Bessie Lyle

Woman at Funeral (uncredited)

Claire McDowell

Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)

Julius Molnar

Footman (uncredited)

Bert Moorhouse

Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Edmund Mortimer

Dance Extra at Party (uncredited)

David Newell

Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)

Barry Norton

Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)

Edgar Norton

Butler at Party (uncredited)

Dennis O'Keefe

Dance Extra (uncredited)

Franklin Pangborn

Mr. Carven (uncredited)

Paul Porcasi

Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)

Hayes Robinson

Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Gay Seabrook

Party Guest (uncredited)

Teru Shimada

Japanese Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)

Larry Steers

Party Guest (uncredited)

Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Black Cook (uncredited)

Ethel Sykes

Party Guest (uncredited)

Libby Taylor

Woman at Funeral (uncredited)

Alma Tell

Mrs. Craven (uncredited)

Martin Turner

Man at Funeral (uncredited)

Walter Walker

Hugh (uncredited)

Bruce Warren

Party Guest (uncredited)

Hazel Washington

Black Maid (uncredited)

Clarence Wilson

Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)

Jane Withers

Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Eight uncredited writers contributed to the screenplay, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne.

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Although cast as the daughter of Louise Beavers (Delilah), 'Fredi Washington' (Peola, age 19) was in reality less than two years younger than her onscreen mother. She was, however, considerably slimmer than the matronly Beavers, which enabled the pair to "pass" as mother and daughter.

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1934 proved to be a banner year for Claudette Colbert with her acclaimed performance in this film, the Cecil B. DeMille blockbuster Cleopatra (1934) and the runaway Oscar-winning hit It Happened One Night (1934).

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Quotes

Delilah Johnson: [to Peola] Bow your head! You got to learn to take it!

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Jessie Pullman, Age 18: After all, what's the good of algebra and all that stuff to a girl?

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Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3: I want my quack-quack!

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