The Oscars are right around the corner and many of you will be pulling for Jamie Foxx to win Best Actor for his role in "Ray". Personally, I would like to see veteran actors like Morgan Freeman or Don Cheadle win Best Actor, although I think Johnnie Depp wil win in this category since he was previously snubbed in his great performance in "Pirates of the Carribean". An Oscar for Mr. Foxx (Is he related to the late comic great Redd Foxx?) as Best Supporting Actor would be great.

In any event, I "interrupted" my viewing of the President's State of the Union tonight when I learned that the classic movie Imitation of Life (1959 remake) was airing on TMC. I quickly switched channels. I have seen this movie at least a half-dozen times and the effects remain the same. I still get goosebumps at that funeral scene! When God calls me from labor to reward I sure hope somebody can sing at my homegoing like the incomparable Mahalia Jackson. The song she sung at Annie's funeral left no dry eyes in the sanctuary and probably no dry eyes (mine included) for those who watched the movie. Imitation of Life remains in my opinion one of the most important movies which dealt with the complexities of race in America. Kudos to Lana Turner, Juanita Moore (Annie) and the woman who played her bi-racial daughter. QED

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2005

Answers

Prof. Dickens,

Will this be the 2nd remake of Imitation of Life? For some reason I feel like I've seen two different one. If this is true the one who sticks out is the one with Lana Turner. Mahalia Jackson knew how to sing like she was at a homegoing.

I do recall my feelings changing about the bi-racial daughter the older I became. I seemed to me more compassionate towards her. That is one movie that can bring about much dialogue.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2005

Ferdi Washington played Peola, the daughter in the version with Juanita Moore and Lana Turner. In the early 1990's we used to have Friday movie nights at First AME (Los Angeles). No one understood why I showed up with boxes of tissues on the night that 'Imitation of Life' was screened, until Annie went searching for Peola, and then during the death and funeral scenes. Regarding this year's Oscar race, it's wonderful to see multiple men and women of color recognized by their peers, and to be touted as front runners for the top awards. There ARE credible actors putting in the work every day, and it's good to see them get their due recognition.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2005

What is the name of the song Mahalia sang at Annie's funeral?

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2005

Karen -

Slight point of correction. Ferdi Washington (black actress) played the daughter in the 1934 original movie. Susan Kohner played Sarah Jane in the 1959 version. In the original the black mother was not a maid but a businesswoman. Ironically, the 1959 remake is actually racist by depicting the relationship between the two mothers in a condescending and subservient manner. I believe the name of the song Mahalia Jackson sang at the funeral was "No More Trouble". QED

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2005

I believe, and this is probably what you are saying Prof. Dickens, the song was "Soon I Will Be Done With the Troubles of This World."

And thanks for confirming that I had seen 2 versions of this movie.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2005

Thanks for the name of the song. I have it on CD.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2005