Friday, June 20, 2025 - 6:00 pm
June 20 - Imitation of Life (1959), 124 minutes, directed by Douglas Sirk, starring Lana Turner, John Gavin, and Juanita Moore.
As with Pinky, this remake (the first screen Imitation of Life appeared in 1934) concerns a young black woman who passes as white. But this time the focus is on two fraught and heart rending mother-daughter relationships, one black and one white. Under the shrewd direction of Douglas Sirk, the visually sumptuous Imitation of Life is not merely a well-mounted family drama but a pointed critique on the tragic consequences of racism in America. Juanita Moore is achingly good as a stoic and loving mother, and one supposes the career she might have had if Hollywood offered more opportunities to gifted black actresses.
Read Matthew Kennedy’s article on Imitation of Life for the National Film Registry here.
June CinemaLit - Trailblazing Actresses of Black Hollywood
June has us exploring the accomplishments of trailblazing African American women in Hollywood. Opportunities were horribly limited for black actresses to shine, but sometimes with a confluence of the right performer for the right role, talent couldn’t be denied. As the Academy Awards, for all their inconsistencies, are a barometer of acclaim and accomplishment, we are screening four films that earned their stars acting nominations. Join us for Pinky (1949) with Ethel Waters, Carmen Jones (1954) with Dorothy Dandridge, Imitation of Life (1959) with Juanita Moore, and Claudine (1974) with Diahann Carroll.
Matthew Kennedy, CinemaLit’s curator, has written biographies of Marie Dressler, Joan Blondell, and Edmund Goulding. His book Roadshow! The Fall of Film Musicals in the 1960s, was the basis of a film series on Turner Classic Movies. His most recent book, On Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide, examines the screen legend's entire career.
“I don't have a favorite film,” Matthew says. "I find that my relationships to films, actors, genres, and directors change as I change over the years. Some don't hold up. Some look more profound, as though I've caught up with their artistry. I feel that way about Garbo, Cary Grant, director John Cassavetes, and others."
“Classic films have historical context, something only time can provide,” Matt observes. “They become these great cultural artifacts, so revealing of tastes, attitudes, and assumptions.”
Cafe opens at 5:30 pm with wine, beer, sparkling water, juice, and fresh-popped popcorn for sale.
Tickets can be purchased online below, or onsite in Office 406 during the following box office hours:
Monday: 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 1 pm to 6 pm
Thursday: 12 pm to 4 pm
Friday: 1 pm to 4 pm
Saturday: Closed
Please note: Photos and/or video may be taken during this event.
CinemaLit Films
