Imitation of Life (1959) 

 

Release date: April 17, 1959

Director: Douglas Sirk

Writers: Eleanor Griffith, Allan Scott,  Fannie Hurst (novel)

Starring: Juanita Moore, Lana Turner

Estimated budget: $2 million

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Lora Meredith (Lana Turner), a white single mother who dreams of being on Broadway, has a chance encounter with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a black widow. Annie becomes the caretaker of Lora's daughter, Suzie (Sandra Dee), while Lora pursues her stage career. Both women deal with the difficulties of motherhood: Lora's thirst for fame threatens her relationship with Suzie, while Annie's light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles with her African-American identity.