Imitation of Life (The 1959 Version)

Imitation of Life (1959)

Runtime: 125 minutes

Directed by: Douglas Sirk

Starring: Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner

From: Universal

It was time for me to see the last Douglas Sirk film. It was just the past few years that any of his work had been viewed; most were melodramatic but all were a swell time. TCM played this last night as co-host Brian Tyree Henry selected the film; would you believe that his older sisters introduced him to Life when he was like 6 years old? Surprising yet true. Also true: a relative of a Letterboxd mutual has a supporting role. I won’t give specifics-of course, that had no bearing on my review.

Note that the 1934 version starring Claudette Colbert hasn’t been tackled by me; henceforth, comparisons can’t be made. A statement that can be made: this was melodrama; no wonder it had that director. As Lana Turner becomes a Broadway star, her friendship with Black Juanita Moore is shown. Moore takes care of both her and Turner’s daughter, who are of similar ages. The drama is that Moore’s daughter is mixed-race but has skin of a shade that most believe she is white.

For a number of reasons, Sarah Jane does not want to be seen as Black. I am a dumb white guy so of course I can’t speak on this topic with any sort of authority… I have heard this topic is still pertinent in modern times. The subject is serious & deep-the film treats it as such; the first 50 or so minutes is when the girls were around the age of 7, and the rest is when they’re 18… as children, Sarah Jane pretends she’s white to avoid bullying at school—in the teenage era, prejudice is still present. There’s drama between the two moms and two daughters; the specifics won’t be spoiled.

It was a fascinating watch for the two hour plus runtime. The cast does a swell job; Turner and Moore are unforgettable, but so are John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, Dan O’Herilhy, etc. Kohner portrays the teenage Sarah Jane; while mixed race, she was IRL white and Hispanic. Not ideal, although at least she delivered a quality performance. The visual aesthetic was also great; the final act was a great culmination of the film as this was a nice culmination of Sirk’s career.

In addition, what a performance from gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in the finale; it was the final act and the emotions it stirred which is why it deserves such a high rating.