Accept No Imitations

Thank you for remembering Juanita Moore and for the update on her career (“A Hard Lesson From Hollywood’s Past,” by Eric Harrison, July 9).

“Imitation of Life” is a must-see despite the transparent performances of Lana Turner and Sandra Dee. Moore carries the film. I challenge anyone not to cry, nay, bawl, for her character in that film.

It is a travesty that she didn’t make more films, but I am glad, at least, to hear that she is back and doing well. I hope she realizes that she has affected lives along the way.

DONNA PIERSON

Long Beach

*

What kind of patronizing, insulting terminology is “moon-pie face” anyway? Shame on you! Juanita Moore appears to me from her picture and her interview to be a lovely lady and there must be a better adjective!

ELENI STEVENS

San Diego

*

The discussion of Douglas Sirk’s version of “Imitation of Life” failed to mention the original 1934 adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s novel. In this earlier version, the Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers characters are business partners and lifelong friends, making their fortune from Beaver’s pancake recipe. As the product’s Aunt Jemima-like trademark likeness, it is Beavers who becomes the more famous of the two.

Interestingly, 25 years later, in a theoretically more enlightened era, Moore’s character is reduced to merely being the maid of a famous actress played by Lana Turner. It’s not surprising, given this climate, that Moore’s Oscar nomination didn’t lead to other roles worthy of her talents.

While Sirk’s version has gained critical favor in recent decades, I’ll always prefer the earlier version for its more groundbreaking depiction of interracial friendship.

STEVE HAMMEL

West Hollywood

*

I ran into Moore once, in the very early ‘80s. She seemed pleased that I remembered her from “Imitation of Life” and showed that she had a sense of humor about the whole thing.

“It’s a funny thing about that movie,” she told me. “When it starts, Lana Turner is 35 and I’m 35. When it’s over, I’m 48 and Lana Turner is still 35.”

RANDY HENDERSON

West Hollywood