Skip to main content
  • Featured
  • Calendar
  • Film
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Opera
  • Kids
  • Visual Art
  • Comedy
  • Classes
  • Galas & Events
  • Community
  • Sign Up
  • My Account
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • Cart
  • Visit
  • Programs
  • Education
  • Membership
  • Support BAM
  • About
  • Featured
  • Calendar
  • Film
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Opera
  • Kids
  • Visual Art
  • Comedy
  • Classes
  • Galas & Events
  • Community
  • Visit
  • Programs
  • Education
  • Membership
  • Support BAM
  • About
  • Sign Up(current)
  • My Account(current)
  • Log In(current)
  • Log Out(current)
  • Cart(current)
  • Film

Imitation of Life

Thu, Aug 15, 2024
    Part of
  • Passing You By: Impostorism on Film
  • and
  • BAM Film 2024
Directed by John M. Stah (1934)
With Claudette Colbert, Louise Bevers and Fredi Washington

The first film adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s 1933 best-selling novel, Imitation of Life explores the friendship between two struggling single mothers: Bea Pullman (Colbert), a working-class white woman who ascends to the top of the business world, and Delilah Johnson (Beavers), her Black housekeeper and chef, whose life is shattered by the rejection of her rebellious, white-passing daughter Peola (Washington).

UPCOMING Screenings

      RUNNING TIME

      111min

      VENUE

      Peter Jay Sharp Building
      BAM Rose Cinemas

      FORMAT

      DCP

      TICKET INFORMATION

      General Admission: $16
      Members: $8
      Please note: A $1.50 processing fee per ticket will be added to your order

      Leadership support for
      BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

      Mellon Foundation

      Leadership support for
      BAM Access Programs provided by
      the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

      JL Greene

      Leadership support for
      BAM programming provided by:

      Howard Gilman

      Leadership support for
      BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

      Altman Foundation

      Leadership support for
      BAM Film provided by
      The Thompson Family Foundation

      Major support for programs in
      the Lepercq Cinema is provided by
      The Lepercq Charitable Foundation

      RELATED CONTENT

      • Membership

        BAM Membership

        Go to the movies just once a month and a BAM membership pays for itself.

        Join

      YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY

      • Film

        Imitation of Life

        Thu, Aug 15, 2024

        Imitation of Life

        Thu, Aug 15, 2024

        A white, widowed mother befriends a Black single mom and domestic, whose daughter Sarah passes as white, in this cornerstone interrogation of mid-century American life.

        More
        Film

        Imitation of Life

        Thu, Aug 15, 2024

        White and Black mothers become friends in this interrogation of mid-century American life.

      • Film

        Passing

        Fri, Aug 9, 2024

        Passing

        Fri, Aug 9, 2024

        A Black woman and her white-passing childhood friend reunite in 1920s Harlem, threatening both of their carefully constructed lives.

        More
        Film

        Passing

        Fri, Aug 9, 2024

        A Black woman, and her white-passing childhood friend reunite in 1920s Harlem.

      • Film

        The Gay Deceivers

        Wed, Aug 14, 2024

        The Gay Deceivers

        Wed, Aug 14, 2024

        Two young men pretend to be gay in order to avoid the draft, a situation that spirals wildly as they expand their ruse, in this groundbreaking, controversial 1969 comedy directed by Bruce Kessler.

        More
        Film

        The Gay Deceivers

        Wed, Aug 14, 2024

        Two young men pretend to be gay to avoid the draft in this controversial 1969 comedy.

      SUPPORT BAM

      • BAM Membership: Sign up
        MEMBERSHIP

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        Enjoy half off stages and screens as a member. With valuable discounts, advance access to tickets, and invitations to special events, BAM Membership is your license to see more for less.
        JOIN
        BAM Membership: Sign up
        MEMBERSHIP

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        Enjoy half off stages and screens as a member. With valuable discounts, advance access to tickets, and invitations to special events, BAM Membership is your license to see more for less.
      • SUPPORT

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        Priority access to premium seats, personalized ticket services, exclusive invitations, and more.
        MORE
        SUPPORT

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        Priority access to premium seats, personalized ticket services, exclusive invitations, and more.
      • SUPPORT

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers are a dynamic group of patrons who share a unique passion for BAM programming and play an integral part in supporting BAM’s work.
        More
        SUPPORT

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers are a dynamic group of patrons who share a unique passion for BAM programming and play an integral part in supporting BAM’s work.

      Follow Us

      • Open BAM on Instagram
      • Open BAM on Youtube
      • FAQ
      • Visit
      • Donate Now
      • Membership
      • Press
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility
      • Privacy Policy

      Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
      info@BAM.org
      BAM is a 501(c)(3) | EIN 11-2201344​
      © Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc. 2025, BAM®, Brooklyn Academy of Music®, Everybooty®, Next Wave® and Teknopolis® are trademarks of Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc.