Imitation of Life (1959)

Extremely unusual drama directed by Douglas Sirk and adapted from the novel by Fannie Hurst.

Lana Turner stars, as Lana Meredith, an actor who puts her work before everything. Juanita Moore plays Annie Johnson, a woman who she takes in as her maid. John Gavin plays Steve Archer, a man Lara is drawn to. 

Laura and Juanita both have young girls and we see them brought up in very different ways. The film examines these two mother/daughter relationships. There’s also a strong theme about race, which isn’t common for this period.

It’s an engaging melodrama in which a lot happens and a lot of material is covered. Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue both feature. It’s quite interesting to see them acting having only previously known them from the song in Grease.  

It’s not clear why it’s called Imitation of Life.

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