Ep640: WATERMELON MAN - Movie Review

Ian and Pat look at one of the earliest and most controversial "body swap" movies: 1970's Watermelon Man!

Melvin Van Peebles' cutting social satire finds Jeff Gerber, a racist white suburban dad played by Godfrey Cambridge, waking up one morning to discover that he's turned black.

The guys examine the film's successes and shortfalls as a comedy; the context in which it was released versus how it holds up today; and the behind-the-scenes tensions that led to very ideologies competing for screen time.

Also, Pat hatches a plan to be the first certified film critic to review Watermelon Man for Rotten Tomatoes!

Note: This conversation was recorded several days before Coca-Cola's controversial "Be Less White" corporate training became headline news--which is why you won't see it discussed here. However, the questions of identity and culture that have arisen in the aftermath of that story are very relevant to Watermelon Man, and to Ian and Pat's commentary.

Show Links:

• Watch the Watermelon Man trailer.

• Watch Watermelon Man on Amazon Prime (streaming FREE for members).

• Watermelon Man is now available as part of The Criterion Collection's new Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films Blu-ray collection (including exclusive special features).

• Keep up with Pat at HollywoodChicago.com.

• Subscribe to, like, and comment on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel!