Born to Be Hurt : The Untold Story of Imitation of Life

In a passionate and witty behind-the-scenes expose, the author of All About "All About Eve" takes on the classic 1959 Douglas Sirk film starring Lana Turner Few films inspire the devotion of Imitation of Life , one of the most popular films of the '50s--a split personality drama that's both an irresistible women's picture and a dark commentary on ambition, motherhood, racial identity, and hope lost and found. Born to be Hurt is the first in-depth account of director Sirk’s masterpiece. Lana Turner, on the brink of personal and professional ruin starred as Lora Meredith. African-American actress Juanita Moore played her servant and dearest friend, and Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner their respective daughters, caught up in the heartbreak of the black-passing-for-white daughter in the 1950s. Both Moore and Kohner were Oscar-nominated as Best Supporting Actress. The author combines vast research, extensive interviews with surviving cast members, and superb storytelling into a masterpiece of film writing. Entertaining, saucy, and incisive, this is irresistible reading for every film fan. Born To Be Hurt Is The First In-depth Biography Of Imitation Of Life. Lana Turner - On The Brink Of Personal And Professional Ruin After Her Mobster Boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, Was Stabbed By Her Daughter, Cheryl Crane - Starred As Glamorous Actress Lora Meredith. Juanita Moore Played What She Called The Greatest Role Up To That Time For An African-american Actress: Lora's Stalwart Maid And Dearest Friend, Annie. And America's Cutie-pie, Sandra Dee, And Powerful Newcomer Susan Kohner Rounded Out The Quartet As The Two Girls, One Sunny And Blond And Popular, The Other Tortured And Black-passing-for-white. Sam Staggs Traces The Movie's Arc From The Original Story In Fannie Hurst's Novel Right Through The Writing And Casting To The Filming, The Promotion, The Controversy Over Its Themes, And The Reception It Received. He's Unearthed New Details About Director Sirk, Legendary Producer Ross Hunter, And All The Stars, And Gives Imitation Of Life Its Due As Influential To Several Generations Of Film Fans. In Born To Be Hurt, Staggs Combines Vast Research, Extensive Interviews With Surviving Cast Members, And Superb Storytelling To Create A Rich Work About One Of The Twentieth Century's Most Iconic Movies.--jacket. Sam Staggs. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [379]-384) And Index. In a passionate and witty behind-the-scenes expose, the author of All About "All About Eve" takes on the classic 1959 Douglas Sirk film starring Lana Turner Few films inspire the devotion of Imitation of Life , one of the most popular films of the '50s--a split personality drama that's both an irresistible women's picture and a dark commentary on ambition, motherhood, racial identity, and hope lost and found. Born to be Hurt is the first in-depth account of director Sirk's masterpiece. Lana Turner, on the brink of personal and professional ruin starred as Lora Meredith. African-American actress Juanita Moore played her servant and dearest friend, and Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner their respective daughters, caught up in the heartbreak of the black-passing-for-white daughter in the 1950s. Both Moore and Kohner were Oscar-nominated as Best Supporting Actress. Sam Staggs combines vast research, extensive interviews with surviving cast members, and superb storytelling into a masterpiece of film writing. Entertaining, saucy, and incisive, this is irresistible reading for every film fan. Few films inspire the devotion of "Imitation of Life", one of the most popular films of the '50s - a split-personality drama that's both an irresistible women's picture and a dark commentary on ambition, motherhood, racial identity, and hope lost and found. This book presents an account of director Sirk's masterpiece.