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

by Staggs, Sam

• ISBN13: 9780312373368
• ISBN10: 0312373368
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-02-17
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

In a passionate and witty behind-the-scenes expose, the author ofAll About "All About Eve"takes on the classic 1959 Douglas Sirk film starring Lana TurnerFew films inspire the devotion ofImitation 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 Hurtis 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.

Author Biography

SAM STAGGS is the author of four books, including three previous biographies of movies: All About All About Eve, Close-Up On Sunset Boulevard, and When Blanche Met Brando. He lives in Dallas, Texas.