Born to Be Hurt

In "a passionate and witty behind-the-scenes exposé," the author of All About "All About Eve" takes on the 1959 Douglas Sirk film starring Lana Turner (Turner Classic Movies).

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.

"If you believe there is such a thing as politics in movie tastes, Born to Be Hurt is the book for you. Sam Staggs's inside story of the entire Imitation of Life phenomenon is funny, obsessive and quite revealing and, like any good fanatic, he takes sides." —John Waters

"Beautifully researched and told in his own singular, engaging voice. Thanks to this book, I finally understand the peculiar hold that this movie has had on me for all these years." —Brian Kellow, New York Times–bestselling author