Watermelon Man (1970)

My Review

“Watermelon Man” is the story of a bigoted white man who wakes up one morning to finds he has turned black. He becomes the victim of discriminatory practices, the very same behaviors he himself once used on black people. Director Melvin Van Peebles put together a thoughtful comedy that is focused and moves rapidly for the 98 minute running time. Herman Raucher wrote the screenplay.

The cast delivered good performances including Godfrey Cambridge in the lead role and Estelle Parsons as his wife. Their two children were played by Scott Garrett and Erin Moran, who would go on to fame and fortune as Joanie Cunningham on ABC’s “Happy Days” (1974-1984) and on the short-lived “Joanie Loves Chachi” (17 episodes in 1982-1983). Others include Howard Caine, D’Urville Martin, Mantan Moreland, Kay E. Kuter, Karl Lucas, and Emil Sitka as the delivery man. Paul Williams and Melvin Van Peebles made uncredited cameos.

“Watermelon Man” was a modest financial success at the box office for Columbia Pictures.