Imitation of Life - The Criterion Collection

Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers star in this classic US drama directed by John M.

Stahl. Struggling to make ends meet following the death of her husband, Bea Pullman (Colbert) takes in African American housekeeper Delilah Johnson (Beavers) and her daughter Peola (Fredi Washington).

After tasting Delilah's family pancake recipe, Bea decides to market it and the pair go into business together, opening a chain of pancake restaurants.

Years later, with their business now a big success, the two friends are forced to face up to some big challenges when Peola breaks her mother's heart by leaving in search of better opportunities elsewhere, while Bea's now 18-year-old daughter Jessie (Rochelle Hudson) falls in love with her new boyfriend Stephen (Warren William).