Imitation of Life
23/11/1934
A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way.
Movie Information
Claudette Colbert
as Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman
Louise Beavers
as Delilah Johnson
Warren William
as Stephen 'Steve' Archer
Rochelle Hudson
as Jessie Pullman, Age 18
Ned Sparks
as Elmer Smith
Fredi Washington
as Peola Johnson, Age 19
Juanita Quigley
as Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3
Alan Hale
as Martin the Furniture Man
Henry Armetta
as The Painter
Wyndham Standing
as Beatrice's Butler Jarvis
Joyce Compton
as Young Woman at Party (uncredited)
Noel Francis
as Mrs. Eden (uncredited)
Jane Withers
as Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)
Marcia Mae Jones
as Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)
Henry Kolker
as Dr. Preston (uncredited)
Hattie McDaniel
as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
William B. Davidson
as Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
William Austin
as Englishman at Party (uncredited)
G.P. Huntley
as James (uncredited)
Tyler Brooke
as Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Claire McDowell
as Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)
Jean Fenwick
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Dick Gordon
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Jesse Graves
as Pallbearer (uncredited)
Harold Miller
as Party Guest (uncredited)
David Newell
as Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)
Dennis O'Keefe
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Franklin Pangborn
as Mr. Carven (uncredited)
Clarence Wilson
as Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)
Marilyn Knowlden
as Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)
Lenita Lane
as Mrs. Dale (uncredited)
Paul Porcasi
as Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
Barry Norton
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Edgar Norton
as Butler at Party (uncredited)
Ronald R. Rondell
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Gay Seabrook
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Teru Shimada
as Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)
Larry Steers
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Libby Taylor
as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
as Cook (uncredited)
Alma Tell
as Mrs. Craven (uncredited)
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
as Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Walter Walker
as Hugh (uncredited)
Dorothy Black
as Peola Johnson, Age 10 (uncredited)
Alyce Ardell
as French Maid (uncredited)
Monya Andre
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Edna Bowdoin
as Secretary (uncredited)
Daisy Bufford
as Waitress (uncredited)
Norma Drew
as Teacher (uncredited)
Paullyn Garner
as Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)
Reverend Gregg
as Minister (uncredited)
Sebie Hendricks
as Peola Johnson, Age 4 (uncredited)
Stuart Johnston
as Undertaker (uncredited)
Tiny Jones
as Funeral Spectator (uncredited)
Curry Lee
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
Bessie Lyle
as Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Julius Molnar
as Footman (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse
as Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Edmund Mortimer
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Hayes Robinson
as Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Ethel Sykes
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Martin Turner
as Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Bruce Warren
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Hazel Washington
as Maid (uncredited)
