Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. The screenplay by William Hurlbut, based on Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, and Fredi Washington. The film was originally released by Universal Pictures on November 26, 1934, and re-released in 1936. A 1959 remake of the same title was directed by Douglas Sirk. In 2005, Imitation of Life was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It was also named by Time in 2007 as one of "The 25 Most Important Films on Race". It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Assistant Director, and Best Sound Recording at the 7th Academy Awards. Plot Widow Bea Pullman and her two-year-old daughter Jessie are having a rough morning. Jessie demands her "quack quack" (her rubber duck) and doesn't want to go to the day nursery. She must: her mother is continuing her husband’s business, selling heavy cans of maple syrup door-to-door, and making very little money. Black housekeeper Delilah Johnson has also had a bad morning. She misread an advertisement and came to the wrong house—Bea’s.