A classic melodrama, John M. Stahl’s version of Imitation of Life is perhaps a more accurate depiction of partially mislaid good intentions regarding contentious race relations compared to Sirk’s more lavish 1959 version.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 14, 2023

The soul of the drama is the conflict that Delilah’s fair-skinned daughter feels between her personal black identity and the dominant white society around her. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 27, 2023

Adapted from the novel by Fannie Hurst, "Imitation of Life" is a multi-layered melodrama that feels staid in some places and fresh as a daisy in others.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 19, 2023

The film remains a conscientious depiction of the bitter realities of race in America.

| Jan 10, 2023

Miss Beavers, who has been in pictures for about ten years found her masterpiece in Imitation of Life.

| Jan 30, 2021

To say that the opus is grand, is putting it mildly. Probably, only the great Stahl could have brought to life such a masterpiece. The star setup was marvelous, and the acting of the adorable Claudette Colbert as well a Louis Beavers was superb.

| Jan 30, 2021

The race angle is treated with so obvious an attempt at tear-jerking that a good part of the Hurst appeal for increased... tolerance is lost in a welter of sentimentality.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 30, 2021

A racial problem is handled in a very frank and convincing manner.

| Jan 30, 2021

When a studio, no matter how, or why, finds the courage to break a taboo, as in Imitation of Life, it is big news, and an occasion for rejoicing.

| Jan 30, 2021

We should hand It to Universal for making even a timid attempt to get away from the cut and dried formulae of cinema drama. It evidences a belief that the American movie public is maturing in its tastes and tolerance.

| Jan 30, 2021

[Louise Beavers's] remarkable performance of Aunt Delilah lifts this film out of the ordinary routine of the cinema.

| Jan 30, 2021

At times [Imitation of Life] moves with rapidity from merriment to pathos, but it is enthralling throughout.

| Jan 30, 2021

Not so much an imitation as a fake, for life has a way of forcing conclusions and decisions, and this film, which never seems quite sure which way it is going, studiously avoids both.

| Jan 30, 2021

Unlike life, this film is very long: like life, it is frequently very dull.

| Jan 30, 2021

The outstanding performance incidentally, is given by Fredi Washington.

| Jan 30, 2021

Miss Colbert has never done anything finer or more heart-touching.

| Jan 30, 2021

It is the work of Miss Beavers [and] Fredi Washington that gives the picture its greatest grip on the emotions.

| Jan 30, 2021

Claudette Colbert steps into her emotional role and makes it an outstanding characterization.

| Jan 30, 2021

This adaptation of Fannie Hurst's novel dealing with race conventions lacks the original's pith, is awfully long, and does too much meandering.

| Jan 30, 2021

Miss Beavers does the best work of her screen career... and Miss Washington Is splendid as the daughter. There should be a place in fllmdom for the latter young player. She is an actress of genuine ability.

| Jan 30, 2021