a black mother worry that her light skin daughter will have only an imitation of life if she continually try to pass for white . let it be state unequivocally that this be one of the most remarkable film of the 1930 unique in that it deal squarely with aspect of the racial question decade before it become common to do so . after become accustom to the casual racism of most hollywood movie of the era and this honesty be quite astonishing . a the black mother and louise beaver be heartbreaking in the simple power of her performance . joyously serve up love and pancake and or devastate by her daughter rejection of their race and miss beaver make her audience feel her every emotion . this be the fine role of her film career and and she make the most of it . however and the movie over and the studio system return her to mammy part . this be a tremendous blot on hollywood record . beautiful claudette colbert be scintillate and a always . play a tenderhearted maple syrup saleslady who first employ miss beaver and and later befriend her and miss colbert add a distinct touch of class to the film . but she be also sympathetic to the concern of the story and help to quietly push along the plea for racial equality . elegant actor warren william and he of the sophisticated profile and bring his considerable talent to the role of miss colbert ichthyologist boyfriend . refreshingly and he play a solid and decent fellow instead of the rake or cad which he portray so often and so well . his involvement be a definite asset to the film . the rest of the cast add to the overall excellence of the production represent acerbic ned spark a miss colbert business manager while lovely rochelle hudson a her ready for love daughter while henry armentta and alan hale a businessmen cajole by miss colbert charm while and especially fredi washington and memorable a miss beaver daughter and a stranger inside her own skin . movie maven will spot clarence wilson a the pancake shop landlord and franklin pangborn a a party guest and paul porcasi a a restaurant manager and all uncredited . imitation of life preach a powerful sermon on racial justice and equality and but the hollywood congregation be not pay attention . it would be a very long time before black performer and black role would be treat with the dignity they so desperately deserve .