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Chameleon Street

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Chameleon Street (1989)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:46
1 Video
3 Photos
ComedyDrama

Detroiter William Douglas Street poses as a Harvard doctor, Time reporter, African exchange student.Detroiter William Douglas Street poses as a Harvard doctor, Time reporter, African exchange student.Detroiter William Douglas Street poses as a Harvard doctor, Time reporter, African exchange student.

  • Director
    • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
  • Writer
    • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
  • Stars
    • Timothy Alvaro
    • Renauld Bailleux
    • William Ballenger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
    • Writer
      • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
    • Stars
      • Timothy Alvaro
      • Renauld Bailleux
      • William Ballenger
    • 12User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Chameleon Street
    Trailer 1:46
    Chameleon Street

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast98

    Edit
    Timothy Alvaro
    • Brian Whitaker, Detroit Human Rights Commission
    Renauld Bailleux
    • Raoul the Belgian
    William Ballenger
    • Attorney Barrett, The Head Honcho
    Lynn Barbee
    • Fable
    Jerome Barney
    • Tall Arresting Policeman
    Patrick Barrie
    • Marie Antoinette
    Mike Barron
    • Roddie Pettigrew, Detroit Human Rights Commission
    Thomas Bashaw
    • Mr. Remus Shaw, Yale Faculty Advisor
    Marti Bowling
    Marti Bowling
    • Marti, Blonde Barmaid
    • (as Marti Bolling)
    Alfred Bruce Bradley
    • Smooth Chance, The Amorous Convict
    Margaret Branch
    • Street's Mother
    Dale Burris
    • Anesthesiologist
    Jason Childress
    • Shorter Arresting Policeman
    Dona Clute-Husted
    • Nurse
    Derek Conner
    • Danton, Fantomas Judex
    Kelly Danger
    • Slo-Mo Waltz Queen
    Rick Davenport
    • Dr. Foy Thomson
    Daphne Davis
    • Blood Bank Nurse…
    • Director
      • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
    • Writer
      • Wendell B. Harris Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    6.91.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8broadbrain

    Mercurial nature of distribution

    It's a shame this film didn't get more notice and better distribution at the time it was released, in spite of being championed by indie fave Steven Sorderbergh. I've been waiting for another directorial effort from Wendell B. Harris, but nothing appears to be forthcoming. That's unfortunate but indicative of the realities of contemporary Hollywood, where talented black performers are given short shrift in favor of the bottom line. This usually means that the project that gets made is based on the name recognition of the rising black star who's attached and where they are on the pop music charts.

    Even though the film itself suffered a bit on the production value end because of its low budget, the story was original and Mr. Harris' portrayal of the identity shifting protagonist was exhilarating for its boldness. The idea of person of color who unapologetically subverts "the system" is daring in and of itself. The fact that it was done with style and a good bit of humor was both refreshing and encouraging. It says that there are statements to be made through the medium of film without being overtly confrontational or dogmatic.
    10blackjacketmusic

    This is a refreshing, extremely well written comedy based on the very real exploits of an amazing character. It is a very fun picture.

    Chameleon Street is a very amusing look at an intriguing character, who seems to find peace in recreating himself through various occupational, and identity transformations. He brilliantly masquerades as a number of professionals, and takes his audience through a thrill ride of elaborate schemes to make money, while carefully concealing his true identity. Ultimately, he is unable to escape his own character flaws, which cause his elaborate plot to unravel, thread by thread, before his very eyes. Although other stories have chronicled the lives of impostors, none have been told in such a refreshingly comical manner. It is a treat to watch.
    8Rogue-32

    Who IS this guy!? -

    • Not Douglas Street, who is fascinating, no question, but Wendall B. Harris Jr., who wrote, directed and plays Street in this provocative, cutting edge film?! What an incredible talent, extremely reminiscent of another actor of remarkable gifts, Tim Curry - he has that same droll demeanor, which he uses to its utmost effectiveness in this piece. I notice he's been in Road Trip and Out of Sight, both of which I've seen; I will have to check them out again now that I'm a bonafide, genuine admirer. Can't wait to see what he does next.
    cinemadaz

    Excellent...Not a simple comedy

    A biting satire based on true stories of separate con-artists that tried to pull various scams, including blackmail and impersonating a reporter, surgeon, lawyer and others. Not a simple comedy so much as a deep look into how different races, social classes and ways of making a living are taken for granted. A true "independent" film, not because of its small budget or Wendell Harris's role as writer-director-star, but from its story and style taking chances. Even after winning best film at Sundance (before it was the super-popular fest it is now), no distributor would pick it up, apparently scared by the film's content. The only offer was to remake the film with "Fresh Prince" Will Smith, effectively putting a happy face on it. Appalled at that idea, Harris held out and STREET finally made an all-too-limited release in theaters and later on home video. Highly recommended.
    6mossgrymk

    chameleon st

    About half as good as "Catch Me If You Can", this at times funny film is way too one note, that note, of course, being that the white establishment is so stupid that it can even be hoodwinked by a none too clever con artist. I got the point after the first scam involving the title character impersonating a Time Magazine journalist and by the middle of the second, when Street pretends to be a surgeon, I was officially tired of the whole thing. That I didn't bail until the start of the third impersonation (an African exchange student at Yale) was mostly due to writer/director/star Wendell B Harris' comic chops, which are not inconsiderable. Kinda surprised that he didn't get a shot at a second feature, at least as a scenarist and/or actor. Give it a C plus.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Présentateur vedette: La légende de Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Wendell B. Harris Jr. used Roger et moi (1989) Director of Photography Bruce Schermer. There are many Flint connections in this film.
    • Quotes

      Curtis: I'm a victim, brother. I'm a victim of 400 years of conditioning. The man has programmed my conditioning. Even my conditioning has been conditioned!

    • Connections
      Features La Belle et la Bête (1946)

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    FAQ16

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 16, 1991 (Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Улица хамелеонов
    • Filming locations
      • Detroit, Michigan, USA
    • Production company
      • Gathsemane 84
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $235,011
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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