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.

Lana Turner
as Lora Meredith

John Gavin
as Steve Archer

Juanita Moore
as Annie Johnson

Sandra Dee
as Susie (16)

Susan Kohner
as Sarah Jane (18)

Robert Alda
as Allen Loomis

Dan O'Herlihy
as David Edwards

Karin Dicker
as Sarah Jane (8)

Terry Burnham
as Susie (6)

John Vivyan
as Young man
CinemaSerf
Whilst Lana Turner is great in this family drama, the plaudits really ought to go to the sparing appearances of the hugely charismatic Juanita Moore. The latter woman is very much down on her luck, with her daughter "Sarah Jane", when she rescues the young "Susie", separated at the beach from her mo...
griggs79
Imitation of Life is a masterpiece that explores race, class, and privilege in 1950s America. Douglas Sirk's final Hollywood film masterfully contrasts the lives of Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) and Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), using their intertwining stories to expose the stark divides of the era....