Principal cast
Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner and Robert Alda
Film 160 of 498 on the Screen Path
Imitation of Life
Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!
About the film
Imitation of Life at a glance.
Screen Path places this 1959 film at stop 160 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.
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.
Key craft credits
Russell Metty (director of photography), Milton Carruth (editor), Frank Skinner (original music composer), Henry Mancini (original music composer) and Allan Scott (screenplay)
- Director
- Douglas Sirk
- Release
- 1959-04-09
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
- Genres
- Drama and Romance
- Country
- United States
- Quiz
- 53 questions
The Screen Path journey
Before. After. Remember.
The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.
01
Before you watch
Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.
Spoiler-free02
After the film
Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.
Contains spoilers03
Quiz yourself
Answer 53 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.
53 questions in this journeyCitizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.
Start the example โFull cast
Full cast
- Lana TurnerCharacter: Lora Meredith
- John GavinCharacter: Steve Archer
- Sandra DeeCharacter: Susie (16)
- Susan KohnerCharacter: Sarah Jane (18)
- Robert AldaCharacter: Allen Loomis
- Dan O'HerlihyCharacter: David Edwards
- Juanita MooreCharacter: Annie Johnson
- Karin DickerCharacter: Sarah Jane (8)
- Terry BurnhamCharacter: Susie (6)
- John VivyanCharacter: Young Man
- Lee GoodmanCharacter: Photographer
- Ann RobinsonCharacter: Showgirl
Full crew
Full crew
- Douglas SirkCredits: Director
- Russell MettyCredits: Director of Photography
- Eleanore GriffinCredits: Screenplay
- Ross HunterCredits: Producer
- Allan ScottCredits: Screenplay
- Clifford StineCredits: Visual Effects
- Frank SkinnerCredits: Original Music Composer
- Milton CarruthCredits: Editor
- Leslie I. CareyCredits: Sound
- Paul Francis WebsterCredits: Songs
- Larry GermainCredits: Hairstylist
- Fannie HurstCredits: Novel
- Richard H. RiedelCredits: Art Direction
- Joe LapisCredits: Sound
- Julia HeronCredits: Set Decoration
- Bud WestmoreCredits: Makeup Artist
- Jean LouisCredits: Costume Designer
- Russell A. GausmanCredits: Set Decoration
- Frank ShawCredits: Assistant Director
- Alexander GolitzenCredits: Art Direction
- Earl GrantCredits: Theme Song Performance
- Sammy FainCredits: Songs
- Bill ThomasCredits: Costume Designer
- Joseph GershensonCredits: Music Supervisor
- Eddie PyleCredits: Camera Operator
- Nick MarcellinoCredits: Makeup Artist
- Pat WestmoreCredits: Hairstylist
- Henry JanssenCredits: Sound
- Roy VaughnCredits: Assistant Camera
- Norman DemingCredits: Production Manager
- Ledge HaddowCredits: Assistant Camera
- Ethmer RotenCredits: Musician
- Don MorganCredits: Unit Publicist
- Wayne FitzgeraldCredits: Title Designer
- Luanna ShermanCredits: Script Supervisor
- Henry ManciniCredits: Original Music Composer
- Wilson ShyerCredits: Assistant Director
- Glenn E. AndersonCredits: Sound
- Del ArmstrongCredits: Makeup Artist
- Lynn F. ReynoldsCredits: Makeup Artist
- Rosamonde LyteleCredits: Wardrobe Master
- Rydo LoshakCredits: Wardrobe Master
- LaVaughn SpeerCredits: Hairstylist
- Martha BunchCredits: Wardrobe Master
Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.