The esteemed Paramount Theater (also known as the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall) located on Broadway in Portland, Oregon, was banned from showing the controversial film “Imitation of Life”. The film, starring Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington told a story of a daughter in the film who supports the negro population by creating friendships and bonds in the negro community. The film expressed the cause of controversy in the white community.
During the Nickelodeon period, Jim Crow laws were still in effect. The theaters would separate seating by a persons color. In result, "Negros" were often subject to sit in balconies, opposite sides of the theater or even attend midnight showings to be allowed to attend public theater showings. Even years later, Portland’s Paramount theater disapproved of negro audience members as the Portland Inquirer October 12,1945 article title “Atlanta Film Censor Bans ‘Imitation of Life’ Revival” states that the Paramount theater has “no space for Negro patronage”. But what was especially surprising about this article was that Paramount theater was actually asking for permission to run the film.
One might question as to why Paramount, who is not in favor of negro audiences, would want to show such a film? Perhaps the high profit they would acquire through reviving the film? When Universal Pictures first released the film in 1934 at Fox Theater, they hit record-breaking showings. Neighborhood theaters were completely packed. It seems this film had a high impact on viewers and was an obvious favorite to theater goers in the southern states, such as Georgia.
Unfortunately, due to Christine Smith (a white city official), any theater that shows the film following the ban was penalized $500 per showing. The Paramount had to substitute another film for “Imitation of Life”. This article reflects the many obstacles the African American community faced while fighting for their rights and striving for approval in the white privileged world at this time.
Atlanta Film Censor Bans ‘Imitation of Life’ Revival. (1945, October 12). Portland Inquirer, p. 5.
https://www.dukeupress.edu/imitation-of-life
