IMDb > Watermelon Man (1970)

Watermelon Man (1970) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   548 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 51% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Herman Raucher (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Watermelon Man on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 May 1970 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The Uppity Movie. more
Plot:
An extremely bigotted white man find out the hard (and somewhat humorous) way what it's like being a black man, firsthand! full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. more
User Comments:
Really Smart Movie more (15 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Godfrey Cambridge ... Jeff Gerber
Estelle Parsons ... Althea Gerber

Howard Caine ... Mr. Townsend
D'Urville Martin ... Bus Driver
Mantan Moreland ... Counterman
Kay Kimberley ... Erica
Kay E. Kuter ... Dr. Wainwright
Scott Garrett ... Burton Gerber
Erin Moran ... Janice Gerber
Irving Selbst ... Mr. Johnson
Emil Sitka ... Delivery Man
Lawrence Parke ... 1st Passenger
Karl Lukas ... Policeman #2
Ray Ballard ... 3rd Passenger
Robert Dagny ... 2nd Passenger
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Night the Sun Came Out (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Cameo: [Melvin Van Peebles]The artist who letters Jeff Gerber's new office door. more
Quotes:
Jeff Gerber: I am not colored.
Bus Driver: I know. I'm Spanish myself.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Lakeview Terrace (2008) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
Really Smart Movie, 7 May 2006
Author: JuanDoe from United States

I just rented this DVD and loved it. At first, Godfrey Cambridge was a bit shrill for my taste but I got over it. His comic timing and acting was awesome. The humor was as sharp and cutting as a blade. Like in Sweet Sweetback..., Melvin Van Peebles doesn't go for the obvious commentary on race relations; I loved the scene at the end when the wife admits that she's "liberal to a point." People of color have hit this invisible and unexpected brick wall at one point or another with some liberals. Some of the production value and jagged editing notwithstanding, I was riveted by this film. It's sad how, over 30 years later, how timely it still is in a lot of ways. While I would love us all to get along, I appreciate the honesty and realness the film depicts of what happens when getting along is made impossible when one group dehumanizes another. Melvin Van Peebles does not shy away from showing this, nor does he apologize for or explain it. The film made me re-appreciate him as a real auteur, an adroit storyteller. Damn Van Peebles is good!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (15 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Watermelon Man (1970)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
It's going to be on TV! sirleucelot
Watermelon Man II hasterman1
Brief scene that puzzles me... byczekfemale
cambridge MADE this movie teejay6682
Office girl that likes him... skinypupp
PARTRIDGE FAMILY HOUSE!!! definitedoll
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song The Liberation of L.B. Jones The Klansman The Believer Foxy Brown
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.