Carbon Copy (1981)

When a rich white corporate executive finds out that he has an illegitimate black son, things start falling apart for him at home, at work, and in his social circles.

Director:

Michael Schultz

Writer:

Stanley Shapiro

Stars:

George Segal, Susan Saint James, Jack Warden

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Segal	...	Walter Whitney
Susan Saint James	...	Vivian Whitney
Jack Warden	...	Nelson Longhurst
Dick Martin	...	Victor Bard
Denzel Washington	...	Roger Porter
Paul Winfield	...	Bob Garvey
Macon McCalman	...	Tubby Wederholt
Vicky Dawson	...	Mary Ann
Parley Baer	...	Dr. Bristol
Vernon Weddle	...	Wardlow
Edward Marshall	...	Freddie
Ed Call	...	Basketball Father
Angelina Estrada	...	Bianca
Carmen Filpi	...	Wino
Warren Munson	...	2nd Guard

Storyline

A white corporate executive is surprised to discover that he has a black teen-age son who can't wait to be adopted into the almost exclusively white community of San Marino, California.

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Plot Keywords:

interracial relationship | white man black woman relationship | black man as white man | white father | interracial love relationship | 

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Taglines:

" I lost my job, my house and my Rolls Royce; My family left me...What else can possibly go wrong?" "Hi, Dad!"

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The white-dominant community that Walter Whitney (George Segal) lived in was in San Marino, California.

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Goofs

When Walter and Roger move into the run-down apartment in Watts, very low flying jets can be heard overhead. The nearest airport in the area would be LAX which is approx. 13 miles due west. LAX is too far away for such low flying aircraft.

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Quotes

Roger Porter: You can show me how to build model airplanes, I'll show you how to pick a lock.

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Connections

Referenced in Psych: Yang 3 in 2D (2010)

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Soundtracks

I'm Gonna Get Closer to You
Music by Bill Conti
Lyrics by Paul Williams
Performed by Dan Seals (as England Dan Seals)

User Reviews

Who's Your Daddy?

White corporation man George Segal gets a rude awakening when he finds out that he has an illegitimate son who happens to be black (our first real theatrical look at Hollywood icon Denzel Washington). Naturally Segal's Beverly Hills life turns topsy-turvy with wife Susan Saint James and father-in-law Jack Warden complicating the situation by forcing Segal into a life of degradation and poverty with usually hilarious results. Pure early-1980s fluff here as Washington puts that bright smile of his on and steals every scene from veteran Segal. Segal though does an admirable job and feeds off the film effectively. Ultimately though the substance is lacking and the typical comedic situations eventually end up being predictable and sometimes stale. The late drama also feels forced and somewhat unnecessary. Still a watchable piece of entertainment for its two leads. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 September 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carbon Copy

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$9,566,593

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,566,593

Company Credits

Production Co:

DeHaven/Shapiro Productions, Hemdale, RKO Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1