Imitation of Life (1959 film)

Imitation of Life is a 1959 film about an aspiring white actress who takes in an African American widow whose mixed-race daughter is desperate to be seen as white.
 * Directed by Douglas Sirk. Written by Eleanore Griffin and Allan Scott, adapted from Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel.

I'll get the things I want out of life, one way or another...from one man to another!

Lora Meredith

 * [to Sarah Jane] You weren't being colored, you were just being childish.


 * Well, I'm going up and up and up - and nobody's going to pull me down!

Annie Johnson

 * How do you tell a child that she was born to be hurt?


 * Miss Lora, we just come from a place where... where my color deviled my baby. Now, anything here has gotta be better.


 * Our wedding day, and the day we die are the great events of life.

Other

 * Sarah Jane: Miss Lora, you don't know what it means to be... different...

Dialogue

 * Lora: Now, just a moment, young lady! It's only because of my ambition that you've had the best of everything. And that's a solid achievement that any mother can be proud of!
 * Susie, age 16: [tearfully] And how about a mother's love?
 * Lora: LOVE? But you've always had that!
 * Susie, age 16: Yes, by telephone, by postcard, by magazine interviews... you've given me everything... but yourself!


 * Lora: You're aiming high.
 * Steve: Why not? It doesn't cost any more. Don't you believe in chasing rainbows?


 * Lora: It never occurred to me that you had many friends. You never have any visit you.
 * Annie: I know lots of people. Oh, hundreds.
 * Lora: Really?
 * Annie: I belong to the Baptist church. And I belong to several lodges too.
 * Lora: I didn't know.
 * Annie: Miss Lora, you never asked.


 * Steve: Your bones...
 * Lora: What about my bones?
 * Steve: They're perfect. My camera could easily have a love affair with you.


 * Lora: If Steve really means that much to you I'll give him up. I'll never see him again.
 * Susie: Oh, Mother. Stop acting!


 * Annie: I'd be happy knowin' you're meetin' nice young folk...
 * Sarah Jane: Busboys! Cooks! Chauffeurs! Like Hawkins. No thank you; I've seen your "nice young folk".
 * Annie: I don't wanna fight with you, honey. Not tonight. I don't feel too good. While I get started on the anchovies, will you take this tray in to Miss Lora and her friends?
 * Sarah Jane: [sarcastic] Why, certainly. Anything at all for Miss Lora and her friends.

Cast

 * Lana Turner - Lora Meredith
 * Juanita Moore - Annie Johnson
 * John Gavin - Steve Archer
 * Sandra Dee - Susie, age 16
 * Susan Kohner - Sarah Jane, age 18
 * Robert Alda - Allen Loomis
 * Dan O'Herlihy - David Edwards
 * Karin Dicker - Sarah Jane, age 8
 * Terry Burnham - Susie, age 6
 * Sandra Gould - Annette
 * Mahalia Jackson - Funeral singer
 * Than Wyenn - Romano
 * Troy Donahue - Frankie
 * Jack Weston - Tom
 * Ann Robinson - Showgirl