|
"Imitation of Life"
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne
Klein |
| Genre: |
Drama |
| Video: |
1.33:1 (Full
screen)/ 1.85:1 (Widescreen) |
| Audio: |
Dolby 2.0
(Mono) |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
Spanish and
French |
| Length |
111 minutes
(1934)/ 125 minutes (1959 version) |
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
2/10/04 |
| Studio |
Universal
Home Video |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Dual sided
single layer and double layer disc |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Claudette
Colbert, Warren William, Louise Beavers, Rochelle Hudson, Ned
Sparks, Lana Turner, John Gavin, Robert Alda, Juanita Moore
|
| Written
By: |
William Hurlbut/
Eleanore Griffin and Allan Scott based on the novel by Fannie
Hurst |
| Produced
By: |
Carl Laemmle/
Ross Hunter |
| Directed
By: |
John M. Stahl/
Douglas Sirk |
| Music:
|
Heinz Roemheld
(uncredited)/Frank Skinner, Henri Mancini (uncredited) |
| The
Review: |
They say imitation is the sincerest
form of flattery. So I suppose remaking an imitation must
be double flattery (which I must add is much better than "Double
Indemnity"). Which explains why Universal has put the original
1934 film version of "Imitation of Life" and the1959 remake
on the same disc. Luckily both versions have enough minor
plot differences to make both worthwhile viewing.. Although
many of Douglas Sirk's "Women's pictures" stand as classics
of the genre, this is another example of an original film
outclassing the remake. I hesitate to call the 1959 version
of the film a remake as there are enough minor plot differences
to make both unique. While both films have their moments,
the 1959 version seems a bit more over-the-top . The performances
in both films kept my interest despite the fact that they
essentially tell the same story. The best way to view both
films is as a variation on the same theme. Oh, and don't watch
them back to back. You might go to sleep. *** The 1934 version
features Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers as widowers
that go into business together selling a successful pancake
receipe. They build a considerable fortune but what they can't
do is help create contentment for their children. that build
a considerable fortune. What fortune doesn't buy them or their
children is contentment. Bea (Colbert) and Jessie (Rochelle
Hudson) fall in love with the same man causing conflict between
them. Delilah (Louise Beavers) faces heartache as her daughter
Peola (Fredi Johnson) rejects her racial heritage as a black
young women and with her light colored skin tries to pass
as caucasian. ***
Sirk's 1959 remake features Lana
Turner as Lora Meredith and Juanita Moore as Annie Johnson
her live in housekeeper. The essential conflict remains but
with somewhat different results. Lora neglects her daughter
Susie in favor of her stage career while Annie's daughter
Sara Jane (Susan Kohner) rejects her racial heritage and her
mother so she can pass for a white girl. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Both films
look good. The rich technicolor sheen that permeated the 1959
original seems to have lost some of its gloss over time. While
the earlier 1934 black and white version of the film looks pretty
good although it looks grainy. Both films have dated (none too
well I might add). The sound is pretty standard for both. There's
not much depth and still a considerable amount of hiss noticeable
on the 1934 version. The 1959 version of the film sounds much
crisper due probably due to the improved recording techniques
as much as the transfer itself. |
| The
Extras: |
None |
| Commentary:
|
Nothing here
either. |
| Final
Words: |
Both versions
look solid on DVD and provide much improved picture quality
compared to the VHS versions of the film. While neither film
holds up particularly well, both films may be of interest to
fans who grew up watching them on television. The 1934 version
of the film seems to be the rarer of the two and hasn't been
seen as widely.. |
