Imitation of Life

Imitation of Life

THE DARING STORY OF MOTHER LOVE - On the Screen for the First Time!

1934 · 111 min · ★ 7.0 · Drama, Romance

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.

Directed by John M. Stahl · Written by William Hurlbut

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Apple TV Store

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 1m together

Imitation of Life

In Old Kentucky

Both from John M. Stahl.

More from John M. StahlSee all →

LoversLovers · 1927
Lovers
10.01927
MovieDramaRomance
Young José lives with his guardian, Don Julian, a middle-aged diplomat recently married to young Felicia. Society gossips in Madrid find the situation increasingly scandalous.
In Old KentuckyIn Old Kentucky · 1927
In Old Kentucky
10.01927
MovieDrama
Young Brierly struggles to save his father, Major Brierly, from the clutches of alcohol after the Great War. At the same time, he prepares Major Brierly's horse, which served bravely with the Major at the front, for the Kentucky Derby.
Wild GeeseWild Geese · 1927
Wild Geese
10.01927
MovieDramaRomance
Silent romantic melodrama about a wife and mother who is desperate to keep a secret from the past IN the past, despite her husband's intentions to reveal it.
Suspicious WivesSuspicious Wives · 1921
Suspicious Wives
10.01921
MovieDrama
A melodrama of misunderstandings in which a rich couple grow more and more suspicious of each other fidelities after the groom’s father is shot dead on their wedding night.
The Man in HobblesThe Man in Hobbles · 1928
The Man in Hobbles
8.01928
MovieAdventureComedy
Small-town photographer Joe Coleman marries Ann Harris quickly, only to find himself financially supporting her entire lazy family. After moving to New York to work and escape his burdensome in-laws, Joe must finally put his foot down when the whole family follows them.
Memory LaneMemory Lane · 1926
Memory Lane
8.01926
MovieDramaComedy
Mary is marrying Jimmie, from whom she has kept a secret; Mary remains in love with another man. Problems ensue, jeopardizing the tranquility of their relationship.
Leave Her to HeavenLeave Her to Heaven · 1945
Leave Her to Heaven
7.51945
MovieDramaThriller
A socialite marries a prominent novelist, which spurs a violent, obsessive, and dangerous jealousy in her.
Only YesterdayOnly Yesterday · 1933
Only Yesterday
7.11933
MovieDramaRomance
On the back of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, a young businessman is about to commit suicide. With a note to his wife scribbled down and a gun in his hand, he notices an envelope addressed to him on his desk. As he begins to read, we're taken back to World War One and his meeting with a young woman named Mary Lane.
The Keys of the KingdomThe Keys of the Kingdom · 1944
The Keys of the Kingdom
7.11944
MovieDrama
A young priest, Father Chisholm is sent to China to establish a Catholic parish among the non-Christian Chinese. While his boyhood friend, also a priest, flourishes in his calling as a priest in a more Christian area of the world, Father Chisholm struggles. He encounters hostility, isolation, disease, poverty and a variety of set backs which humble him, but make him more determined than ever to succeed.
Broadway FeverBroadway Fever · 1929
Broadway Fever
7.01929
MovieComedy
Stagestruck Sally McAllister can’t get an appointment with famed theatrical producer Eric Byron so Sally responds to an ad for a maid only to discover that she will be working for Byron himself! Falling for him but still burning with ambition she arranges for Lila Leroy, Byron's leading lady, to take a train to Oakland, California instead of New Jersey, then hot foots it to Oakland, New Jersey, where Byron's latest play is taking place, and impersonating Lila by wearing a blonde wig but as dress rehearsal approaches will she get away with the subterfuge?
Holy MatrimonyHoly Matrimony · 1943
Holy Matrimony
6.81943
MovieComedyDrama
An artist returning from years abroad takes the identity of his dead valet and gets married, but then there are complications.
Our WifeOur Wife · 1941
Our Wife
6.81941
MovieComedy
A musician's ex-wife wants him back after he finds love and success.
Back StreetBack Street · 1932
Back Street
6.41932
MovieDramaRomance
A woman's love for and devotion to a married man results in her being relegated to the "back streets" of his life.
Immortal SergeantImmortal Sergeant · 1943
Immortal Sergeant
6.21943
MovieWarDrama
During WWII, a corporal in the desert reminisces about the love he left behind and faces uncertainty about his strength as a leader.
The Foxes of HarrowThe Foxes of Harrow · 1947
The Foxes of Harrow
6.01947
MovieRomanceDrama
An Irish rascal and inveterate gambler uses his considerable skills at the gaming tables of New Orleans to become fabulously rich.
Letter of IntroductionLetter of Introduction · 1938
Letter of Introduction
6.01938
MovieComedyDrama
An aging actor, trying to make a comeback on Broadway, is surprised when his estranged daughter shows up. It seems that she is an actress and is also trying to make it on Broadway. He tries to re-establish his relationship with her while also trying to hide the fact that she is his daughter from the press.

More Like This

Shoot the Piano PlayerShoot the Piano Player · 1960
Shoot the Piano Player
7.21960
MovieDramaThriller
Charlie is a former classical pianist who has changed his name and now plays jazz in a grimy Paris bar. When Charlie's brothers, Richard and Chico, surface and ask for Charlie's help while on the run from gangsters they have scammed, he aids their escape. Soon Charlie and Lena, a waitress at the same bar, face trouble when the gangsters arrive, looking for his brothers.
Vivre Sa VieVivre Sa Vie · 1962
Vivre Sa Vie
7.71962
MovieDrama
Twelve episodic tales in the life of a Parisian woman and her slow descent into prostitution.
Jules and JimJules and Jim · 1962
Jules and Jim
7.51962
MovieDramaRomance
In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.
Singapore SlingSingapore Sling · 1990
Singapore Sling
6.61990
MovieComedyHorror
Singapore Sling pursues Laura, a romantic memory from his past. One night, he finds himself at a mysterious villa, watching two women bury a body. He falls into their trap and, in an atmosphere of isolation and decadence, the trio act out insane pleasure games and a ritual of blood and murder.
Raging BullRaging Bull · 1980
Raging Bull
7.91980
MovieDramaHistory
The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil · 1958
Touch of Evil
7.71958
MovieCrimeThriller
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.
Down by LawDown by Law · 1986
Down by Law
7.31986
MovieCrimeDrama
A disc jockey, a pimp and an Italian tourist escape from jail in New Orleans.
Funeral Parade of RosesFuneral Parade of Roses · 1969
Funeral Parade of Roses
7.51969
MovieDrama
In 1960s Tokyo, Gonda owns a bar in which the gay, cross-dresser, and trans scenes meet. Gonda is in a relationship with the madam of the bar, Leda. As the younger Eddie starts a passionate affair with Gonda, she ignites the jealousy of Leda, unaware of another kind of history between them.
It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life · 1946
It's a Wonderful Life
8.31946
MovieDramaFamily
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde · 1941
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
6.51941
MovieDramaHorror
Dr. Jekyll believes good and evil exist in everyone and creates a potion that allows his evil side, Mr. Hyde, to come to the fore. He faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run amok.
FrankensteinFrankenstein · 1931
Frankenstein
7.51931
MovieDramaHorror
Henry Frankenstein pieces together body parts in the hope of bringing a human-like creature to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his monstrous creation awakening with rage to a world that hates and fears him.
It Happened One NightIt Happened One Night · 1934
It Happened One Night
7.81934
MovieComedyRomance
A runaway heiress makes a deal with the rogue reporter trailing her but the mismatched pair end up stuck with each other when their bus leaves them behind.
Top HatTop Hat · 1935
Top Hat
7.31935
MovieMusicComedy
Showman Jerry Travers is working for producer Horace Hardwick in London. Jerry demonstrates his new dance steps late one night in Horace's hotel room, much to the annoyance of sleeping Dale Tremont below. She goes upstairs to complain and the two are immediately attracted to each other. Complications arise when Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter