--- product_id: 4740799 title: "Imitation of Life (1934/1959)" price: "€ 32.02" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.it/products/4740799-imitation-of-life-1934-1959 store_origin: IT region: Italy --- # Imitation of Life (1934/1959) **Price:** € 32.02 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Imitation of Life (1934/1959) - **How much does it cost?** € 32.02 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.it](https://www.desertcart.it/products/4740799-imitation-of-life-1934-1959) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Imitation of Life (1934) In this Academy Award-nominated Best Picture, Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers are superb as two women with young daughters who build a fortune together. But success doesn't save them from sorrow with the passing years. Delilah's light-skinned teenager rejects her mother and her race, while Bea must choose between the man she loves and the daughter who loves him, too. Now all of them will pay the price of love in this spellbinding classic. Imitation of Life (1959) Lana Turner heads the outstanding cast with Juanita Moore in the second screen version of this emotionally-charged story about two widows and their troubled daughters. Lora's search for success causes her to neglect her daughter, while Annie's daughter rejects her culture by trying to pass for white. As the years pass, each of the four women realizes that she has been living out an emotionally fruitless existence. Bonus Content: Disc 1 - Imitation of Life (1959) Imitation of Life (1959) The last film in Hollywood of director Douglas Sirk ( Written on the Wind ), the 1959 Imitation of Life--an adaptation of Fannie Hurst's novel--is an endlessly fascinating film that speaks volumes about the American journey toward materialism and the racial tensions that are inseparable from it. Lana Turner plays a white single mother and aspiring actress who takes in a black housekeeper (Juanita Moore) and her daughter (played by an adolescent Susan Kohner), the latter so light-skinned she passes for white. As the years pass and success mounts for Turner, Moore also becomes more comfortable but her status as a domestic never changes. Meanwhile, Kohner's character, chafing against social constraints, rebels at every opportunity and throws a wrench into the perfect order Sirk chillingly captures through the precise, architectural design of his images. On one hand a '50s weepie and on the other a daring allegory, Imitation of Life is an unusual masterpiece. --Tom Keogh Review: Review for 2-Movie Special Edition - Having studied the 1959 version of "Imitation of Life" in film class, it has become one of my favorite films, one that is rich with many subtexts that may not be visible upon first glance. This special 2-disc DVD set contains both the 1934 and 1959 versions based on a Fannie Hurst tear-jerker novel. Tackling a sensitive issue for the times (in both versions), these movies deal with an African-American girl who wants to pass for white to have more opportunities open up for her. The girl's mother develops a friendship and working/subserviant relationship with a white woman who has her own daughter of the same age. How the two women function in their environments and the conflicts that occur due to the daughter's "passing" constitute the basis of both stories. The 1934 film stars Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers as the mothers. The film seems very dated and old fashioned on the surface; watching it a 2nd time with the commentary track is very beneficial. Avery Clayton, an African-American Cultural Scholar, gives slight information on the making of the film, but gives the story plenty of explanation of the subtexts and is very helpful in putting some of the slightly offensive elements into the context of the times that the film was made. Beavers' character becomes the icon for Aunt Delilah's pancake mix, a thinly veiled version of Aunt Jemima. Colbert's character is given the idea to market Delilah's recipe and the two become rich; the fact that Beaver's character doesn't want any of the riches and is actually afraid NOT to be in a subserviant role to Colbert is somewhat uncomfortable. Colbert gives her typical warm performance and even today, she is a joy to watch. The rest of the film does seem very dated. Interestingly enough, Fredi Washington, an African-American actress, portrays Beaver's daughter; in the 1959 version, Susan Kohner, of Latino background, was the one who won that plum role. The 1959 version still holds up well; granted, it is somewhat over the top with some of the plot & Lana Turner's performance. However, director Douglas Sirk was able to put in so many rich subtexts and subtle critiques that this film can be watched multiple times without catching all of them. There was a battle going on between Sirk wanting an honest crititque of the times, and producer Ross Hunter wanting a glossy soap opera. This film was dismissed as a tawdry melodrama and labeled a dud by critics initially, but has become a cinema classic in the years that followed. Juanita Moore's performance as the African-American maid is one of the keys to the success of the film, and the rest of the casting is brillant: Turner, Sandra Dee, Kohner, and John Gavin. You'll also see a cameo by Sandra Gould, who later achieved minor fame as the 2nd Gladys Kravitz in TV's "Bewitched." For the 1959 film, the story is that Lana Turner plays an actress seeking fame, and Moore's character plays her maid and companion. Thankfully, there is no Aunt Delilah business here. Many of the scenes are powerhouses of acting: the final scene between mother and daughter when Moore agrees to let her daughter live her life as a white woman is a guaranteed tear-jerker. Turner also gives one of her best (if not most hysterical) performances during Annie's death scene. The commentary for this version is by Foster Hirsch, a film historian. As with Clayton's, his commentary is mainly limited to examining the film itself, not so much the making of the film. There are a few facts that he shares from his friendships with Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore that are very interesting, but overall, his commentary helps to pick out the hidden meanings that Sirk placed throughout. There is a short featurette calls "Lasting Legacy - An Imitation of Life" that talks about both films. Juanita Moore and respected film historians are on hand to talk about the movies. The featurette is very well done, but does leave one wishing there were more to it. It is approximately half an hour long. The quality of both films is fairly good; neither one looks like it came from the original negative, but they are both relatively clean and appear to have had some minor restoration work. This 2-Disc set is a real value, and highly recommended for those who love to study film. Review: Great Movies!! - Great movies!!! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Contributor | Alan Hale, Allan Scott, Baby Jane, Carl Laemmle, Jr., Claudette Colbert, Dan O'Herlihy, Douglas Sirk, Eleanore Griffin, Henry Armetta, John Gavin, John M. Stahl, Juanita Moore, Lana Turner, Louise Beavers, Ned Sparks, Robert Alda, Rochelle Hudson, Ross Hunter, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Theodore Soderberg, Warren William, William Hurlbut Contributor Alan Hale, Allan Scott, Baby Jane, Carl Laemmle, Jr., Claudette Colbert, Dan O'Herlihy, Douglas Sirk, Eleanore Griffin, Henry Armetta, John Gavin, John M. Stahl, Juanita Moore, Lana Turner, Louise Beavers, Ned Sparks, Robert Alda, Rochelle Hudson, Ross Hunter, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Theodore Soderberg, Warren William, William Hurlbut See more | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,565 Reviews | | Format | Color, Dolby, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen | | Genre | Blu-ray Movie, DVD Movie, Drama | | Language | English | | Runtime | 3 hours and 56 minutes | ## Product Details - **Genre:** Blu-ray Movie, DVD Movie, Drama - **Format:** Color, Dolby, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen - **Contributor:** Alan Hale, Allan Scott, Baby Jane, Carl Laemmle, Jr., Claudette Colbert, Dan O'Herlihy, Douglas Sirk, Eleanore Griffin, Henry Armetta, John Gavin, John M. Stahl, Juanita Moore, Lana Turner, Louise Beavers, Ned Sparks, Robert Alda, Rochelle Hudson, Ross Hunter, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Theodore Soderberg, Warren William, William Hurlbut - **Language:** English - **Runtime:** 3 hours and 56 minutes ## Images ![Imitation of Life (1934/1959) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1Dpf4OPnwL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review for 2-Movie Special Edition *by D***E on February 16, 2008* Having studied the 1959 version of "Imitation of Life" in film class, it has become one of my favorite films, one that is rich with many subtexts that may not be visible upon first glance. This special 2-disc DVD set contains both the 1934 and 1959 versions based on a Fannie Hurst tear-jerker novel. Tackling a sensitive issue for the times (in both versions), these movies deal with an African-American girl who wants to pass for white to have more opportunities open up for her. The girl's mother develops a friendship and working/subserviant relationship with a white woman who has her own daughter of the same age. How the two women function in their environments and the conflicts that occur due to the daughter's "passing" constitute the basis of both stories. The 1934 film stars Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers as the mothers. The film seems very dated and old fashioned on the surface; watching it a 2nd time with the commentary track is very beneficial. Avery Clayton, an African-American Cultural Scholar, gives slight information on the making of the film, but gives the story plenty of explanation of the subtexts and is very helpful in putting some of the slightly offensive elements into the context of the times that the film was made. Beavers' character becomes the icon for Aunt Delilah's pancake mix, a thinly veiled version of Aunt Jemima. Colbert's character is given the idea to market Delilah's recipe and the two become rich; the fact that Beaver's character doesn't want any of the riches and is actually afraid NOT to be in a subserviant role to Colbert is somewhat uncomfortable. Colbert gives her typical warm performance and even today, she is a joy to watch. The rest of the film does seem very dated. Interestingly enough, Fredi Washington, an African-American actress, portrays Beaver's daughter; in the 1959 version, Susan Kohner, of Latino background, was the one who won that plum role. The 1959 version still holds up well; granted, it is somewhat over the top with some of the plot & Lana Turner's performance. However, director Douglas Sirk was able to put in so many rich subtexts and subtle critiques that this film can be watched multiple times without catching all of them. There was a battle going on between Sirk wanting an honest crititque of the times, and producer Ross Hunter wanting a glossy soap opera. This film was dismissed as a tawdry melodrama and labeled a dud by critics initially, but has become a cinema classic in the years that followed. Juanita Moore's performance as the African-American maid is one of the keys to the success of the film, and the rest of the casting is brillant: Turner, Sandra Dee, Kohner, and John Gavin. You'll also see a cameo by Sandra Gould, who later achieved minor fame as the 2nd Gladys Kravitz in TV's "Bewitched." For the 1959 film, the story is that Lana Turner plays an actress seeking fame, and Moore's character plays her maid and companion. Thankfully, there is no Aunt Delilah business here. Many of the scenes are powerhouses of acting: the final scene between mother and daughter when Moore agrees to let her daughter live her life as a white woman is a guaranteed tear-jerker. Turner also gives one of her best (if not most hysterical) performances during Annie's death scene. The commentary for this version is by Foster Hirsch, a film historian. As with Clayton's, his commentary is mainly limited to examining the film itself, not so much the making of the film. There are a few facts that he shares from his friendships with Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore that are very interesting, but overall, his commentary helps to pick out the hidden meanings that Sirk placed throughout. There is a short featurette calls "Lasting Legacy - An Imitation of Life" that talks about both films. Juanita Moore and respected film historians are on hand to talk about the movies. The featurette is very well done, but does leave one wishing there were more to it. It is approximately half an hour long. The quality of both films is fairly good; neither one looks like it came from the original negative, but they are both relatively clean and appear to have had some minor restoration work. This 2-Disc set is a real value, and highly recommended for those who love to study film. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Movies!! *by C***A on April 18, 2026* Great movies!!! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Black& white are the best *by A***G on April 7, 2026* Bought it as a gift. Love this movie, both versions ## Frequently Bought Together - Imitation of Life (1934/1959) - Lady Sings The Blues - Claudine (The Criterion Collection) [DVD] --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.it/products/4740799-imitation-of-life-1934-1959](https://www.desertcart.it/products/4740799-imitation-of-life-1934-1959) --- *Product available on Desertcart Italy* *Store origin: IT* *Last updated: 2026-05-13*