Imitation of Life (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.

Drama Romance

Imitation of Life

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Imitation of Life

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