This is one of the first films that I can recall seeing where I actually cried. There was something so poignant about that ending scene. In the above clip I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Sandra Dee says to Lana Turner, "Oh Momma, stop acting!"
This American film was directed by Douglas Sirk and produced by Ross Hunter. Gospel music star Mahalia Jackson appears as a church choir soloist. The film is an adaptation of Fannie Hurst's novel of the same name (Imitation Of Life). It is the second film adaptation of the novel. The first film was released in 1934.
Lana Turner's wardrobe for Imitation of Life cost over $1.078 million, making it one of the most expensive in cinema history at that time.
The actress who plays the African-American daughter Peola in the 1934 film, was an actual light-skinned African American, who was noted for turning down a number of offers by Hollywood agents to pass for white and become a star. Although many African Americans were screen-tested for the corresponding Sarah Jane role in the 1959 remake, Susan Kohner, of Mexican and Czech Jewish Czech descent, won the role. Natalie Wood was considered for the role of Sarah Jane Johnson that went to Susan Kohner. Karin Dicker, of Jewish descent, made her film debut as the young Sarah Jane in this film.
Lana Turner took a much smaller salary than her usual $25,000 per week and worked for 50% of the film's profits, which earned her over $2 million (setting a record for an actress at that time).
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