Born to be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life - Hardcover

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.

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.