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.
9 Kinolab Clips
Opening Sequence
Bea Pullman (Claudette Colbert) and her daughter Jessie (Juanita Quigley) are getting ready for the day when Delilah Johnson (Louise Beavers) appears at the door and offers her services as a housekeeper.
Duration: 00:07:31
Timestamp: 00:01:27
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
Aunt Delilah's Pancakes
Delilah (Louise Johnson) cooks pancakes and Bea (Claudette Colbert) opens a storefront on the boardwalk.
Duration: 00:05:09
Timestamp: 00:12:06
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
Box It
Bea (Claudette Colbert) gives passerby Elmer Smith (Ned Sparks) a free stake of pancakes in exchange for a piece of advice. Meanwhile, Delilah (Louise Johnson) reveals her daughter Peola (Dorothy Black) as Black.
Duration: 00:07:55
Timestamp: 00:28:15
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
The Party
While Bea (Claudette Colbert) hosts a party, Delilah (Louise Johnson) comforts Peola (Fredi Washington) about her racial identity.
Duration: 00:04:03
Timestamp: 00:38:25
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
It Could Be Paradise
Bea (Claudette Colbert) and Stephen Archer (Warren William) make plans to get married.
Duration: 00:04:08
Timestamp: 01:01:02
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
Finding Peola
Bea (Claudette Colbert) and Delilah (Louise Johnson) travel to Virginia to find Peola (Fredi Washington).
Duration: 00:02:41
Timestamp: 01:12:57
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
The Loss of Peola
After losing Peola (Fredi Washington), Delilah (Louise Johnson) falls ill.
Duration: 00:06:21
Timestamp: 01:26:45
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
A Good Funeral
Delilah (Louise Johnson) has a grand funeral procession.
Duration: 00:04:28
Timestamp: 01:40:55
Contributor: Sophia Blaha
Closing Sequence
Bea (Claudette Colbert) tells Steve (Warren William) that she can't marry him yet.
Duration: 00:04:58
Timestamp: 01:45:18
Contributor: Sophia Blaha