Imitation of Life
“Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!”
Synopsis
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Imitation Of Life ≣ 1959 ≣ Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2019-03-06
Top Cast
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Lana Turner
Lora Meredith
John Gavin
Steve Archer
Sandra Dee
Susie (16)
Susan Kohner
Sarah Jane (18)
Robert Alda
Allen Loomis
Dan O'Herlihy
David Edwards
Juanita Moore
Annie Johnson
Karin Dicker
Sarah Jane (8)
Terry Burnham
Susie (6)
John Vivyan
Young Man
Lee Goodman
Photographer
Ann Robinson
Showgirl
Troy Donahue
Frankie
Sandra Gould
Annette
David Tomack
Mr. McKenney
Joel Fluellen
Minister
Jack Weston
Tom
Billy House
Fat Man on Beach
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 14, 2009
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Douglas Sirk
- Screenplay & Story
- Eleanore Griffin, Allan Scott
- Original Score
- Frank Skinner, Henry Mancini
- Original Title
- Imitation of Life
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
- Production Studios
- Universal International Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Douglas Sirk
Eleanore Griffin, Allan Scott, Fannie Hurst
Frank Skinner, Henry Mancini
Russell Metty
Milton Carruth
Ross Hunter
Department Leadership Roster
Russell Metty
Director of Photography
Ross Hunter
Producer
Eleanore Griffin
Screenplay
Douglas Sirk
Director
Allan Scott
Screenplay
Frank Skinner
Original Music Composer
Milton Carruth
Editor
Henry Mancini
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Imitation of Life.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Imitation of Life.
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S&S Critics - Greatest Films
Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time 2022 (Critics' Poll). Every decade the Sight and Sound team asks critics to name the greatest films of all time. Here are the results of the 2022 poll – the largest ever, with 1,639 critics, programmers, curators, archivists and academics each submitting their top ten ballot - and now updated with the complete list. 《视与听》2022年影评人评选影史百大电影（含并列完整版）： 由 1639 位影评人、策展人及学者共同票选的影史最伟大电影。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#152] Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) • [#171] Out 1 (1971) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:37:09 UTC+8)*
TSPDT - 1000 Greatest Films
They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? (TSPDT) - The 1,000 Greatest Films. A definitive meta-list aggregating thousands of critics' polls, historical rankings, and director top 10s to represent the ultimate critical consensus in cinema history. TSPDT 影史最伟大的1000部电影： 全球最权威的电影元榜单，由该网站汇总世界各大电影刊物历史评选结果及数千名影评人、学者的个人十佳榜单，通过算法加权计算得出的终极共识。 *片单说明：* 本片单只收录纯电影，以下剧集或迷你剧不予收录： • [#335] Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) • [#514] Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) • [#614] Edvard Munch (1974) • [#703] The Sorrow and the Pity (1969) • [#890] Elephant (1989) • [#925] Heimat (1984) • [#968] Doomed Love (1978) 以下作品在 TMDB 被拆分为多个独立电影条目；本片单按作品/章节顺序连续收录，且每个分拆条目均沿用同一 TSPDT 名次： • [#171] Dekalog (1989) — 展开为 10 部电影 • [#988] Olympia (1938) — 展开为 2 部电影 *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:30:01 UTC+8)*
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Frequently Asked Questions About Imitation of Life
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Imitation of Life about?
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
Who directed Imitation of Life?
Imitation of Life was directed by Douglas Sirk.
Who stars in Imitation of Life?
The principal cast of Imitation of Life includes Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda.
When was Imitation of Life released and how long is it?
Imitation of Life was released in 1959 with a total runtime of 2h 5m.
Who composed the musical score for Imitation of Life?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Imitation of Life was composed by Frank Skinner, Henry Mancini.
Is Imitation of Life based on a book or true story?
Imitation of Life is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Fannie Hurst".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Imitation of Life?
Imitation of Life holds official age classifications: FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.); GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).