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Imitation of life / a Universal Picture ; the new Universal presents ; a John M. Stahl production ; produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. ; written by William Hurlbut ; directed by John M. Stahl.
Van Pelt - Video Collection (ask at Circulation Desk) DVD 035 490 disc + insert
Available
- Format:
- Video
- Series:
- Criterion collection ; 1167.
- The Criterion Collection ; 1167
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Hurst, Fannie, 1889-1968--Film adaptations.
- Hurst, Fannie.
- Female friendship--Drama.
- Female friendship.
- Working class women--Drama.
- Working class women.
- Single mothers--Drama.
- Single mothers.
- Mothers and daughters--Drama.
- Mothers and daughters.
- Passing (Identity)--Drama.
- Passing (Identity).
- Hurst, Fannie, 1889-1968.
- Genre:
- Drama.
- Feature films.
- Fiction films.
- Film adaptations.
- Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
- Video recordings for hard of hearing people.
- Physical Description:
- 1 videodisc (110 min.) : sound, black and white ; 4 3/4 in. + insert (1 folded sheet : illustrations ; 19 cm)
- Place of Publication:
- [United States] : The Criterion Collection, [2023]
- Language Note:
- English dialogue; subtitled for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH).
- System Details:
- DVD, NTSC, Region 1; full screen (1.33:1) presentation; Dolby Audio monaural.
- digital
- optical
- video file
- DVD video
- Summary:
- 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.
- Participant:
- Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Warren William.
- Credits:
- Cinematography, Merritt Gerstad; editors, Philip Cahn, Maurice Wright; music, Heinz Roemheld.
- Notes:
- Title from title frames.
- Originally released as a motion picture in 1934.
- Aspect ratio, 1.33:1.
- Special features: 4K digital restoration; new interviews; original theatrical trailer; An essay by Petty (on insert)..
- Based on Imitation of life / by Fannie Hurst.
- ISBN:
- 9798886070071
- OCLC:
- 1350805856
- Publisher Number:
- 715515280716
- CC3431DDVD The Criterion Collection
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