Imitation of Life：Full Cast & Crew

Directed by

John M. Stahl

Writing Credits

Fannie Hurst
(from the novel by): William Hurlbut
(screenplay): Preston Sturges
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Finley Peter Dunne
(additional dialogue) (uncredited): Finley Peter Dunne
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Walter Ferris
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Bianca Gilchrist
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Victor Heerman
(additional dialogue) (uncredited): Victor Heerman
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Sarah Y. Mason
(contributor to treatment) (uncredited): Samuel Ornitz
(contributing writer) (uncredited): Arthur Richman
(contributing writer) (uncredited)

Cast

Claudette Colbert
Beatrice Pullman: Warren William
Stephen Archer: Rochelle Hudson
Jessie Pullman: Ned Sparks
Elmer Smith: Louise Beavers
Delilah Johnson: Fredi Washington
Peola Johnson: Juanita Quigley
Baby Jessie Pullman: Alan Hale
Martin the Furniture Man: Henry Armetta
The Painter: Wyndham Standing
Jarvis the Butler: Monya Andre
Party Guest: Alyce Ardell
French Maid: William Austin
Englishman at Party: Dorothy Black
Peola at 10: Edna Bowdoin
Black Secretary: Tyler Brooke
Tipsy Man at Party: Daisy Bufford
Black Waitress: Curry Lee Calmes
Black Chauffeur: Joyce Compton
Young Woman at Party: Oliver Cross
Party Guest: William B. Davidson
Man Buying Cigar: Sayre Dearing
Party Guest: Norma Drew
Teacher: Jean Fenwick
Minor Role: Noel Francis
Mrs. Eden: Paullyn Garner
Mrs. Ramsey: Dick Gordon
Party Guest: Jesse Graves
Pallbearer: Reverend Gregg
Black Minister: Betty Jean Hainey
Peola's Classmate: Sebie Hendricks
Peola at 4: G.P. Huntley
James: Stuart Johnston
Black Undertaker: Marcia Mae Jones
Peola's Frontrow Classmate: Tiny Jones
Funeral Spectator: Marilyn Knowlden
Jessie at 8: Henry Kolker
Dr. Preston: Lenita Lane
Mrs. Dale: Ula Love
Girl: Bessie Lyle
Woman at Funeral: Hattie McDaniel
Woman at Funeral: Claire McDowell
Teacher Outside Classroom: Harold Miller
Party Guest: Julius Molnar
Footman: Bert Moorhouse
Man at Funeral: Edmund Mortimer
Party Guest: David Newell
Party Guest Saying Goodbye: Barry Norton
Young Man Giving Toast: Edgar Norton
Butler at Party: Dennis O'Keefe
Party Guest: Franklin Pangborn
Mr. Carven: Paul Porcasi
Jackson's Restaurant Manager: Hayes E. Robertson
Man at Funeral: Ronald R. Rondell
Party Guest: Gay Seabrook
Party Guest: Teru Shimada
Japanese Customer in Pancake Shop: Larry Steers
Party Guest: Reggie Streeter
Peola's Classmate: Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Black Cook: Ethel Sykes
Party Guest: Libby Taylor
Woman at Funeral: Alma Tell
Mrs. Craven: Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
Man at Funeral: Martin Turner
Man at Funeral: Walter Walker
Hugh: Bruce Warren
Party Guest: Hazel Washington
Black Maid: Clarence Wilson
Mr. Bristol: Jane Withers
Frontrow Classmate

Produced by

Henry Henigson
associate producer (uncredited): Carl Laemmle Jr.
producer (produced by)

Music by

Heinz Roemheld
(uncredited)

Cinematography by

Merritt B. Gerstad
(as Merritt Gerstad) (photography)

Editing by

Philip Cahn
film editor: Maurice Wright
film editor

Art Direction by

Charles D. Hall

Costume Design by

Travis Banton
(uncredited)

Makeup Department

William Ely
makeup artist (uncredited): Jack P. Pierce
makeup artist (uncredited): Dorothy Ponedel
makeup artist: Claudette Colbert (uncredited): Jane Roman
hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management

M.F. Murphy
production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

Scott R. Beal
assistant director (uncredited): Fred Frank
assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department

Ernie Smith
props (uncredited)

Sound Department

Theodore Soderberg
sound director: Jack Bolger
boom operator (uncredited): Gilbert Kurland
sound supervisor (uncredited): Joe Lapis
sound mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by

John P. Fulton
special effects

Camera and Electrical Department

Fred Buckley
grip (uncredited): Paul Hill
assistant camera (uncredited): Alan Jones
second camera operator (uncredited): Warren Monroe
gaffer (uncredited): Murray Rock
best boy (uncredited): George Schuman
grip (uncredited): Jerry Vernon
grip (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

Eugene Joseff
costume jeweller (uncredited)

Editorial Department

Maurice Pivar
supervising editor (uncredited)

Music Department

Heinz Roemheld
musical director

Script and Continuity Department

Cora Palmatier
script clerk (uncredited)

Additional Crew

Carl Laemmle
presenter: Emily Bolman
stand-in: Rochelle Hudson (uncredited): Barbara Boone
stand-in: Juanita Quigley (uncredited): Bernice Boone
secretary (uncredited): Archie Hall
technical director (uncredited): Alameda Johnson
stand-in: Sebie Hendricks (uncredited): Alma Johnson
stand-in: Sebie Hendricks (uncredited): Etta McDaniel
stand-in: Louise Beavers (uncredited): Pluma Noisom
double: Claudette Colbert (uncredited): Mary West
child welfare worker (uncredited)