The Watermelon Man (1970)
- Starring:
- Godfrey Cambridge, Estelle Parsons, (more)
- Director(s):
- Melvin Van Peebles
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Comedy
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
African-American activist and actor Melvin Van Peebles directed this comedy-drama starring Godfrey Cambridge as Jeff Gerber, a white, middle class husband to Althea (Estelle Parson) and father of two who is also a mild bigot. One morning, Jeff wakes up to discover that he has become a black man overnight. After trying in vain to remove his new pigment, Jeff ventures out into the world, only to discover the hostility he once engendered himself. After his neighbors petition to get him out of the neighborhood, his boss (Howard Caine) tries to use his new identity to the company's advantage and his doctor suggests he seek medical care elsewhere, Jeff comes to see the many sides of racism. The only rays of hope in his situation are the friendship of several fellow black people, including a bus driver (D'Urville Martin) and a restaurant counter man (Mantan Moreland). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 98 mins
Complete Cast:
- Godfrey Cambridge - Jeff Gerber
- Howard Caine - Mr. Townsend
- Mantan Moreland - Cashier
- Kay Kuter - Dr. Wainwright
- Ralph Montgomery - Drugstore Boss
- Erik Nelson - Doorman
- Frank Farmer - Andy Brandon
- Irving Selbst - Mr. Johnson
- Erin Moran - Janice Gerber
- Mae Clarke
- Charles Lampkin - Dr. Catlin
- Robert Dagny - 2nd Passenger
- Estelle Parsons - Althea Gerber
- D'Urville Martin - Bus Driver
- Kay Kimberly - Erica
- Ray Ballard - 3rd Passenger
- Paul Williams - Employment Office Clerk
- Donna Dubrow - Receptionist
- Emil Sitka - Delivery Man
- Lawrence Parke - 1st Passenger
- Hazel Medina - Widow
- Rhodie Cogan - Mrs. Johnson
- Karl Lukas - 2nd Policeman
- Scott Garrett - Burton Gerber
- Director(s):
- Melvin Van Peebles
- Writer(s):
- Herman Raucher
- Producer(s):
- Leon Mirell, John B. Bennett
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Brief Nudity, Adult Language, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- Comedy
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
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