Imitation of Life (1959 film)
| Imitation of Life | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster by Reynold Brown | |
| Directed by | Douglas Sirk |
| Screenplay by | |
| Based on | Imitation of Life by Fannie Hurst |
| Produced by | Ross Hunter |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Russell Metty |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.2 million |
| Box office | $6.4 million (US and Canada rentals) |
Imitation of Life is a 1959 American melodrama film directed by Douglas Sirk and produced by Ross Hunter. It stars Lana Turner and John Gavin, with Sandra Dee, Dan O'Herlihy, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, and Juanita Moore in supporting roles. Gospel music singer Mahalia Jackson appears as a church choir soloist. It is the second film adaptation of the 1933 novel by Fannie Hurst, following the 1934 film directed by John M. Stahl.
Released by Universal Pictures, Imitation of Life was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. Kohner and Moore each received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for their performances, with Kohner winning the Golden Globe Award.
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 had previously been added to the National Film Registry in 2005.