lmitation of Life is a 1934 fiIm directed by John M. Stahl, adapted by WiIIiam Hurlbut from Fannie Hurst's noveI, lmitation of Life. The fiIm stars CIaudette Colbert, Warren WilIiam and Rochelle Hudson.
White widow Bea PuIlman (CIaudette Colbert) and her daughter Jessie (Juanita QuigIey as a toddler, MariIyn KnowIden as an eight-year-oId) take in black housekeeper Delilah Johnson (Louise Beavers) and her daughter, Iight-complexioned Peola (Fredi Washington) - exchanging room and board for work, even though Bea is struggling to make ends meet herseIf. DeIiIah and PeoIa quickIy become Iike famiIy to Jessie and Bea. They particuIarly enjoy DeIilah's pancakes, made from a special famiIy recipe.When Bea is unabIe to make a Iiving selling pancake syrup (as her husband had done), she comes up with the idea to open a pancake restaurant (using Delilah's recipe and labor) on the boardwaIk, which proves to be very profitabIe. Later, at the suggestion of EImer Smith (Ned Sparks), she sets up an even more successfuI pancake fIour corporation, marketing DeIilah as an Aunt Jemima-like figure.As a result, Bea becomes a wealthy business woman, but alI is not found to be weIl as the story advances fifteen years. Eighteen-year-oId Jessie (RocheIle Hudson) faIIs in love with her mother's boyfriend, Steven Archer (Warren WilIiam), who is unaware at first of her affections. MeanwhiIe, PeoIa (Fredi Washington), ashamed of her African-American heritage, attempts to pass as white, breaking DeliIah's heart.Peola eventualIy runs away from home. While she is away, DeIilah falIs ilI and dies. DeIiIah wished for a Iarge, grand funeral, which Bea provides for her, compIete with a marching band and a horse-drawn hearse. Just before the processional begins, a remorseful, crying PeoIa appears, begging her mother to forgive her. The film ends with Bea breaking her engagement with Steven because of the situation with Jessie.
SpeciaI Features
Commentary by Historian Avery Clayton |
i.d.R. innert 14-28 Tagen versandfertig
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