Imitation of Life

1959 · directed by Douglas Sirk

Rating

88/100

Hit

yes

Prestige lists

BFI Top 100

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.

Imitation of Life (1959), directed by Douglas Sirk, rates 88/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• Lana Turner
• John Gavin
• Sandra Dee
• Susan Kohner
• Robert Alda
• Dan O'Herlihy
• Juanita Moore
• Karin Dicker
• Terry Burnham
• John Vivyan

Crew

• Russell Metty — Director of Photography
• Milton Carruth — Editor
• Frank Skinner — Original Music Composer
• Henry Mancini — Original Music Composer
• Allan Scott — Screenplay
• Eleanore Griffin — Screenplay

More from Douglas Sirk

1. The Tarnished Angels (1957) — 82/100 · hit
2. All I Desire (1953) — 82/100 · hit
3. All That Heaven Allows (1955) — 81/100 · hit
4. Lured (1947) — 80/100 · hit
5. Written on the Wind (1956) — 78/100
6. There's Always Tomorrow (1956) — 75/100

How these numbers work: Methodology