Imitiation of Life

Imitiation of Life is a 1934 film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was written by William Hurlbut from the novel by Fannie Hurst. The movie was directed by John M. Stahl.

The story is an early look at American race relations. Bea Pullman (Claudette Colbert) and her daughter Jessie (Rochelle Hudson) take in housekeeper Delilah Johnson (Louise Beavers) and her daughter Peola (Fredi Washington), in exchange for room and board, and a plan to market Delilah's pancake recipe. The girls grow up together, but Peola is ashamed of her African American heritage, and passes as white.

The movie was remade in 1959, with Lana Turner, Sandra Dee, Juanita Moore, and Susan Kohner.