Imitation of Life tells the story of Lora Meredith, a white woman and aspiring actress, and Annie Johnson, a homeless black woman, who are both raising their daughters as single mothers. Lora and Annie meet at Coney Island where Lora’s daughter Susie has wandered off, and Annie has found her. The two women begin a conversation that results in Annie and her daughter Sarah Jane coming to live with Lora and Susie. Annie proposes that she take care of Susie while Lora pursues an acting career.

Much of the action of the movie revolves around Lora’s efforts to land good roles and Sarah Jane’s efforts to pass herself off as white, which is not difficult because her father was practically white and she is very light-skinned. Lora’s ambition has a negative impact on her daughter Susie, and Sarah Jane’s desire to be white brings her mother, Annie, great heartache and sorrow. The ending is heartrenching but filled with hope.

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