DVD, Videorecording, Projected Medium, Visual Materials

Imitation of life / directed by John M. Stahl ; screenplay, William Hurlbut, Preston Sturges.

Full screen.

[United States] : The Criterion Collection, [2023]

1 videodisc (110 min.) : sound, black and white ; 4 3/4 in.

digital

optical

video file

DVD video

It explores the friendship between two struggling single mothers: one a working-class white woman who ascends to the top of the business world, and the other her Black housekeeper, whose life is shattered by the rejection of her rebellious, white-passing daughter. It is this latter relationship attuned to America's bitter racial realities and heartbreakingly enacted by trailblazing Black performers Beavers and Washington that lends the film its transcendent emotional power. This first adaptation of Fannie Hurst's best-selling novel boldly confronts the complexities and contradictions of racial identity, economic exploitation, and the limits of the American dream.

The Criterion Collection ; 1167

Criterion collection ; 1167.

Female friendship -- Drama.

Working class women -- Drama.

Single mothers -- Drama.

Mothers and daughters -- Drama.

Passing (Identity) -- Drama.

Film adaptations.

Feature films.

Video recordings for the hearing impaired.

Fiction films.

Motion picture adaptation of (work): Hurst, Fannie, 1889-1968.

Hurlbut, William J. (William James), 1883-1957, screenwriter.

Sturges, Preston, screenwriter.

Stahl, John M., 1886-1950, film director.

Beavers, Louise, 1902-1962, actor.

Colbert, Claudette, actor.

Washington, Fredi, 1903-1994, actor.

William, Warren, 1895-1948, actor.

Criterion Collection (Firm), publisher.

Full screen.

Title from sell sheet.

Originally released in 1934.

Special features: 4K digital restoration; New interviews; Trailer; Plus, An essay by Petty.

Cinematography, Merritt Gerstad; editors, Philip Cahn, Maurice Wright; music, Heinz Roemheld.

Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Warren William.

DVD; full screen (aspect ratio 1.33:1); Monaural.

Subtitled for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH).

9798886070071

9786318912679 : DVD

6318912673 : DVD

CC3431DDVD

1350805856

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2

992164

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DVD MOVIE Imitatio