Lana Turner with Imitation of Life
“Lana Turner” for “Imitation of Life” - Lana Turner’s wardrobe for Imitation of Life cost over $1.078 million, making it one of the most expensive in cinema history at that time. The plot of the 1959 version of Imitation of Life was significantly altered from the original book and the 1934 film version. A remake of the 1934 Imitation of Life, the film also stars John Gavin and features Sandra Dee, Dan O’Herlihy, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, and Juanita Moore as Annie Johnson. Gospel music star Mahalia Jackson appears as a church choir soloist. Ida ljungqvist
Imitation of Life was the ninth most successful motion picture of 1959, grossing $6.4 million dollars. Imitation of Life has been re-evaluated by critics and is now held up as a masterpiece of Douglas Sirk’s subversive directing style. The 1969 Diana Ross & the Supremes song “I’m Livin‘ in Shame” and the 2001 R.E.M. song “Imitation of Life” are based upon this film. Imitation of Life was Universal-International’s top-grossing film that year, and remained Universal’s most successful film until the release of Airport in 1970. Cincinnati Bengals