Imitation of Life (1934)
Directed by John M. Stahl
Written by William Hurlbut, Preston Sturges
Starring Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Rochelle Hudson
Release Date November 26, 1934
Published January 10th, 2023
The 1934 mother-daughter drama, Imitation of Life has joined the Criterion Collection. On January 10th, 2023, Criterion released newly remastered 4K version of Imitation of Life featuring a new introduction to the film by film and cultural historian, Imogen Sara Smith and a new interview with author Miriam J. Petty, author of "Stealing the Show: African American Performers and Audiences in 1930s Hollywood." That book is a deep dive on the careers of Imitation of Life stars Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington and their unique paths to Hollywood as black women in 1930s Hollywood.
If I may be blunt, Ms. Petty's book is perhaps more relevant and vital than the movie Imitation of Life which is little more than a minor melodrama with solid performances, muted and neutered by the racism of the time. Certainly, the filmmakers can be commended for trying to tackle racial issues at a time when such virulent racism was inflaming the country, but Imitation of Life really never gains much momentum, likely because of that rampant racism.
Instead of the woke, for the time, racial dynamic of Imitation of Life, what we really have is a story of mothers and daughters and the sacrifices two mothers make to give their daughters a better life than the ones they've led. Colette Colbert stars as Bea Pullman, mother of Jessie, and recent widower. Bea is struggling to find time to raise her daughter while also keeping her husband's business alive long enough to keep a roof over her head.
Bea's life is changed forever by complete chance. While she's trying to get her daughter ready to go to the babysitter so she can get to work, Bea is visited by Delilah Johnson (Louise Beavers). Delilah is looking for work and was following up on ad in the newspaper. Since she's here, she asks Bea for work and though Bea insists she can't afford to hire Delilah, Delilah persists, saying she will work in exchange for room and board for herself and her young daughter, Peota.
Bea relents and soon the household is humming with activity including Delilah's incredible pancakes which pair well with Bea's family syrup business. In fact, the Delilah's pancakes are so good that Bea takes a huge leap and opens a restaurant. Using her charm and savvy, Bea finagles a deal for the restaurant space, furniture, and equipment and within months, Aunt Delilah's Pancakes are the talk of the town. The next step takes the pancakes national and makes both Bea and Delilah wealthy, though Delilah insists on remaining Bea's cook.
Find my full length review at Geeks.Media
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