Expert: Mel - 3/25/2009

Question
did Natalie woods ever have a role in Imitation of Life?
and was this film in black and white and then later touched up with color

Answer
Hello Christine,

There were two different versions of "Imitation Of Life". Both were based on the novel by Fannie Hurst.

The first version was made in 1934, starred Claudette Colbert, Rochelle Hudson and Louise Beavers, and was shot in black & white.

The second, from 1959, starred Lana Turner, Sandra Dee and Juanita Moore. It was shot in Eastmancolor.

Natalie Wood was not connected with either film.

However, you may be confusing "Imitation Of Life", part of which concerned a young black woman who was passing for white, with the 1958 Natalie Wood film "Kings Go Forth", in which she played the mixed-race daughter of a black father and white mother.


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.