a radiant claudette colbert star in this first version of imitation of life along with louise beaver . the movie seem more earthbound and realistic than it more well know and glamorous ross hunter remake . the story differ as well . in this version and colbert be not an aspiring actress and but a saleswoman who enter into business with beaver and who and though it her pancake recipe and for some reason be entitle to only 20 % of the profit . a a black friend of mine describe this story and claudette colbert steal louise beaver pancake recipe but allow her to live in her home . not actually true a the beaver character refuse to take any money or establish herself in her own home and and colbert must bank the money for her . sadly and this seem to be because the beaver character have accept her downtrodden role in life . some of the dialogue by today standard be truly shocking and and let face it and politically incorrect as well a downright insult to afro american . for this reason and it be an interesting look at life for black in those day and make a disturbing statement . however and the affection the woman have for each other and the confidence swap friendship and the fact that they do go into business together and and their daughter friendship speak of thing that transcend race and make a wonderful and contrasting statement . there be excellent performance by ned spark and warren william . william be another interesting artifact of the time and the mustached and elegant lead man in the tradition of john gilbert that go out of style eventually . in real life and the beautiful black actress and fredi washington and who play peola and refuse to pass and lose out on a huge career and a she be tell by producer that and if she pass for white and her star would shine as bright a the big star of the day . because she do not play white character and fredi washington have to darken her skin with makeup in film so that she could play black . hallie berry can thank washington for her career along with dorothy dandridge .