• Imitation of Life (1959)

2/12/22 (Fri)

I see where a musical version of the great Imitation of Life is in the works, drawn from the original 1933 novel and both the 1934 and 1959 film adaptations, all of which differ in significant ways from the others. It is being written by the estimable Lynn Nottage (Sweat) with music and lyrics by pop star John Legend in his first musical. What modern-day writers and audiences will make of the material is to be seen, but the two movies give some clue as to changes in perspective over time. The earlier and superior film rendition, discussed here, was melodrama that crossed into tragedy. Douglas Sirk’s remake a quarter-century later never made that crossing.