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More and more
there are little-seen films that I grew
up with that are getting a new lease on
life thanks to DVD studios taking a chance
on an audience. Recently, Sony / Columbia
Tristar has been releasing films like “Hardcore”,
which featured a fine performance by the
late George C. Scott. The film affected
me as a young man with its gritty portrayal
of the seedier side of life. I found it
even more relevant to me today, now that
I’m the father of a little girl. I
had not seen the film in over 20 years until
its recent release.
Another rarely heard of, but favorite film
of mine, is getting released on the same
day. How many of you have heard of “Watermelon
Man?” Well? That’s what I thought.
Even some of my fanatical movie friends
shake their heads when I mention this one.
I saw the film one time, and one time only
way back in 1970 while living in Germany.
It covered one of my favorite subjects,
which is racism, at a time when racism was
still a more accepted way of life. It starred
Godfrey Cambridge, whom I had always thought
to be an underrated comedian.
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Even at the tender age of 7, I appreciated Godfrey’s
brash sense of humor, and even more the message
of this particular film.
In “Watermelon Man”, Cambridge starred
as Jeff Gerber, a white man with an opinion about
everything. That’s right, I said a white
man. This would come as a surprise to anyone familiar
with Cambridge, who happened to be black. Wearing
white makeup (long before Eddie Murphy was even
born, I do believe), Cambridge starts out the
movie as a white man. He has a family and a career,
and freely speaks his mind. His opinion of black
people, as you might imagine is anything but stellar.
His wife (Estelle Parsons) doesn’t share
his opinions, but loves him all the same.
One morning, the inexplicable happens. He wakes
up radically changed. He wakes up… a black
man. At first the film is very funny as he struggles
with this new development. He tries to wash the
black off, to no avail. He soon ‘accepts’
his plight and attempts to resume his normal life,
while hoping to find a way to change back. The
film continues to be funny, but starts moving
more in a direction of teaching life lessons,
as Gerber finds himself on the receiving end of
all the racist comments and actions he used to
dish out. None of his friends want to have anything
to do with him, it jeopardizes his job and he
loses his family.
“Watermelon Man” was directed by Melvin
van Peebles, who at the time I had never heard
of. Even now, as his work has become more renowned,
I still had no idea he directed the film until
I looked at the DVD a few days ago. His words
offer up the only extra feature in this disc,
as he adds a brief introductory commentary to
the film. His work on this film is exemplary,
and showcase what a talented director he was.
The film takes on many tones, from comedy to outright
bigotry, but never wavers from the message that
racism cannot and should not be tolerated. Racism
comes from ignorance, and God knows we have enough
ignorant people in the world (not that I’m
bigoted against them or anything…).
The DVD release is a welcome addition to my collection,
but it is woefully under produced. The video looks
pretty good for its age, but the sound is only
passable. You can hear everything, but you occasionally
have to turn up the volume. There is also a terrible
shortage of extra features. Aside from the brief
introduction, there’s nothing else. I can
understand to a point the decision to not produce
any featurettes, after all there was no guarantee
anyone would buy the film. But the decision is
somewhat of a disservice to the film, and to the
few who will buy and watch it. Interviews or even
a full commentary would have been very welcome.
In spite of the lack of special features, I have
to recommend this film to those with an interest
in intolerance. “Watermelon Man” offers
a few laughs, but even more lessons.
Directed by: Melvin Van Peebles
Starring: Godfrey Cambridge, Estelle Parsons
Extras: Introduction by Melvin Van Peebles
Specifications: Widescreen
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 9/14/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R
Website
We'll give Watermelon Man an A-.
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