ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO

US, 1964, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Barbara Barrie, Bernie Hamilton, Richard Mulligan.
Directed by Larry Peerce.

One Potato, Two Potato is a very moving film. It leaves the audience unhappy and frustrated and, hopefully, resolved never to make people suffer as the main characters in this film suffer.

The film shows us a black-white marriage and its possibilities of success, until the former husband of the white wife comes and applies for custody of his daughter. The suffering involved in this case is considerable. Larry Peerce directed this film in a straightforward manner and with insight. Barbara Barrie gives a moving performance as the wife. Richard Mulligan (The Group; as Custer in Little Big Man) was introduced in this film. Larry Peerce later directed the successful Goodbye Columbus, and the rather ugly and pessimistic parable on the United States - The Sporting Club.

1. What is the meaning of the title? It comes from a children's rhyme, as illustrated daring the credits.

2. The flashback technique, the court case and arousing of our curiosity -how effective was this? Why?

3. Julie and her situation - how ordinary? Coping with her child, factory work, friends, loneliness? Friendship with Frank? Was it a good thing she fell in love with Frank? Did it change her?

4. The wedding itself and impact? The tone of the previous warnings? Did you think the marriage could succeed? Why?

5. The presuppositions of people about black and white, and children - what basis and justification do they have? Should such marriages take place? Who has the difficulty about the children?

6. The 'prejudice' of Frank's father? Why the reaction against Frank and bringing his wife to see them? Did Frank's family have a happy home?

7. Happiness on the birth of the child and Ellen Mary feeling at home with the family? Was this convincing? Why?

8. Joe - why had he married Julie, walked out, worked in South America? Was he a responsible person or not? Why did he want his daughter?

9. Did he have a basis for claiming custody of the child?

10. The trial - its effect on Julie torn between her daughter and her new family? What was your reaction to the verdict - was it reasonable?

11. Was the judge prejudiced? Were his reasons sound - especially when he acknowledged his prejudice and wondered about Ellen Mary's future if she came from a black family?

12. The impact and message of the final sequence - wondering what she had done wrong, why she was being sent away, punching her mother? What would be the effect on Ellen Mary? Could her father overcome this? Did he really want her?

13. The ending, was it cruel? Why?