| Imitation of Life | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Imitation_of_Life_1959_poster.jpg) Film poster by Reynold Brown | |
| Directed by | Douglas Sirk |
| Screenplay by | Eleanore Griffin Allan Scott |
| Based on | Imitation of Life 1933 novel by Fannie Hurst |
| Produced by | Ross Hunter |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Russell Metty |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
| Music by | |
| Color process | Eastmancolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.2 million[3] |
| Box office | $6.4 million (est. US/ Canada rentals)[4] |
Imitation of Life (1959) is an American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. Imitation of Life is the second film adaptation of Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same title (the first, directed by John M. Stahl, was released in 1934).
The film's top-billed stars are Lana Turner and John Gavin. The cast also features Robert Alda, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Juanita Moore, and Dan O'Herlihy, in alphabetical order. Kohner and Moore each received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Supporting Actress for their performances. Kohner won the Globe award. Gospel music star Mahalia Jackson appears as a church choir soloist.
In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected Imitation of Life (1959) for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The 1934 version of Imitation of Life was added to the National Film Registry in 2005.[5][6]
- ^ Imitation of Life at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
AFIwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Archer, Eugene (16 October 1960). "HUNTER OF LOVE, LADIES, SUCCESS". New York Times. p. X9.
- ^ "1959: Probable Domestic Take", Variety, 6 January 1960 p 34
- ^ Mike Barnes (December 16, 2015). "'Ghostbusters,' 'Top Gun,' 'Shawshank' Enter National Film Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-05-01.