One Potato, Two Potato

This film is simply shot and compellingly told. Its stars Barbara Barrie before she became a star and features an excellent cast including a performance by a child that is so touching. I saw it as a kid with my mother and was very moved by it. I count it as one of my favorite films. I haven't seen it in years and am curious to see if I would still find it as moving. As another reviewer on this site stated, the ending is gut wrenching and I concur. I would love to buy it and show it to a film class I teach but sadly it is not available. It is one of those black and white American Kammerspiel films of the 1960s (along with A Thousand Clowns, Ladybug, Ladybug, David and Lisa) that were well received at the time of their release but are now forgotten). I don't know how one goes about getting distributors to transfer these films to DVD and make them available but if anyone knows please push for this film.

This is a story about a black and white couple who fell in love despite their efforts not to cross the color line. I saw the movie in a neighborhood Atlanta cinema and became worried about the audience's reaction both during the movie and as the people left. It was a daring subject to be presented in an angry location at a smoldering year. The audience was absolutely mute ... except for one guy that made an unwise crack to his date as we were leaving. She turned on him, tears in her eyes.

This movie should be on VHS or DVD but I wouldn't be surprised if it's lost.

"One Potato, Two Potato" is a very low budget production that made a bit of commotion back when it debuted in 1964. Despite its lowly pedigree (it was filmed in the Cleveland area and the actors were mostly unknowns at the time), the lead actress (Barbara Barrie) received the Best Actress award at Cannes and the film was nominated for an Oscar (Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen). Sadly today, it's a pretty obscure picture.

Julie (Barrie) is a divorced mother of a young girl. The father abandoned them years ago and Julie works at the company where Frank (Bernie Hamilton) works. The meet and through the course of spending time together, they find that there is an attraction. Eventually, they decide to get married--even though they realize it might cause a few heads to turn. After all, she is white and he is black. Despite a bumpy start, things work out and the young family prospers and grows. Things look pretty good, right? Well, they do until the child's biological father shows up unexpectedly. Now the man (?) wants his daughter--mostly because his ego cannot stand that his ex- is with a black man.

This is a well made film but I must warn you that it will rip your heart out. This is NOT a complaint. Heck, back in 'the good old days', it was STILL illegal for blacks and whites to marry in many southern states and in others it was quite possible to lose custody of a child simply because you married someone of another race. Crazy...and pretty stupid. So, it's great that the movie draws attention to it. My only complaint is that the film, while very interesting, is way underplayed--too underplayed. Some more emotion in the acting and relationship between Frank and Julie would have made the movie better overall.

I am 74 yrs old and remember seeing this at around 40 with some friends..left the theater sobbing and will always remember it. Too bad we can't see these movies on TV - very thought-provoking. Has anyone else seen and remembered this movie, or am I the only one alive who remembers it?

I just finished watching One Potato Two Potato, which TCM aired. The film is terrific, and by today's standards, it still holds up as a film that resonates emotionally and socially. Without saying too much about what happens, I'll just say that I was simply stunned by the film overall. I'm so glad to have seen it. I'm still affected by what I just saw. Anyone who isn't moved by OPTP is surely in need of a heart transplant. This was a great vehicle for actress Barbara Barrie. And the little girl who plays her daughter is top drawer. Such a good movie!