Carbon Copy (1981): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Carbon Copy is a 1981 comedy drama directed by Michael Schultz, starring Denzel Washington as Roger Porter, George Segal and Vicky Dawson. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $9.6 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Michael Schultz
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First City Features Ltd.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Carbon Copy About?
The premise of Carbon Copy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film spins a satirical tale of an affluent white corporate executive whose world is upended when he learns he has a teenage son from a working‑class Black background. The son, eager to be embraced by the ultra‑white, affluent enclave of San Marino, California, forces both father and community to confront their prejudices and assumptions.
Carbon Copy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- smoking marijuana
- name change
- corporate executive
- illegitimate son
- interracial relationship
- white man black woman relationship
- black man as white man
- white father
- interracial romance
- blaxploitation film
- coin operated television set
- racist woman
+38 more Show fewer
- husband wife relationship
- jewish man
- harvard lawyer
- father in law son in law relationship
- social satire
- lost job
- reference to divorce
- black lawyer
- penniless
- basketball game
- break in
- reference to sex
- watts los angeles
- horse manure
- incarceration
- reference to northwestern university
- pre med student
- road trip
- astrology
- zodiac sign
- reference to a zodiac sign
- reference to capricorn the astrological sign
- reference to astrology
- horoscope
- african american
- poverty
- wealth
- 1970s
- los angeles california
- basketball
- snob
- privilege
- seedy motel
- old car
- father son relationship
- black american
- racial slur
- independent film
Carbon Copy Cast & Characters
Denzel Washington leads the cast as Roger Porter, with George Segal as Walter Whitney and Vicky Dawson as Mary Ann. Directed by Michael Schultz; 16 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Michael Schultz
-
Denzel Washington as Roger Porter -
George Segal as Walter Whitney - Vicky Dawson as Mary Ann
-
Jack Warden as Nelson Longhurst
Also Starring in Carbon Copy
· 12 more- Susan Saint James Vivian Whitney
- Paul Winfield Bob Garvey
- Macon McCalman Tubby Wederholt
- Parley Baer Dr. Bristol
- Lee Garlington
- Ed Call Basketball Father
- Dick Martin Victor Bard
- Vernon Weddle Wardlow
- Warren Munson 2nd Guard
- Tom Poston Reverend Hayworth
- Kenneth White Burly Man
- Carmen Filpi Wino
More from Michael Schultz
More films directed by Michael Schultz, best-rated first: Cooley High, The Last Dragon, Woman Thou Art Loosed and Greased Lightning.
Carbon Copy Plot Summary
What happens in Carbon Copy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Roger Porter, Denzel Washington, is a 17-year-old African-American boy who turns up in the life of Walter Whitney, a successful businessman living in the exclusive, predominantly white enclave of San Marino, California. Walter Whitney, George Segal, is secretly Jewish and carries the weight of a life split between his ambitions and the quiet compromises of a gated community, where he must beg his wife for intimacy and endure the antics of his outspoken step-daughter Mary Ann. The arrival of Roger shakes the surface of Walter’s carefully curated world and sparks questions about belonging, loyalty, and what it means to be a family.
Full summary
The whole story of Carbon Copy, scene by scene
Carbon Copy Box Office
Carbon Copy grossed $9.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$9.6M
- US & Canada
- $9.6M
How Well Do You Know Carbon Copy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the 17‑year‑old African‑American boy who arrives at Walter Whitney's home?
Carbon Copy Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “Poika paluupostissa” and “Lefkos gamos, mavro paidi”.
- Also known as
-
- Poika paluupostissa
- Lefkos gamos, mavro paidi
- Ciemnoskóry duplikat
- Ninguém Diga Que Está Bem
- Copie la indigo
- Eine schöne Bescherung
- Il pollo si mangia con le mani
- Llámame Mr. Charly
- Az én fekete fiam
- A Cara do Pai
- Точно копие
- Точна копія
+4 more Show fewer
- Tmavohnědá kopie
- Точная копия
- 黑白父子妙事多
- Digue’m Sr. Charly
Seen Carbon Copy?
Movies Like Carbon Copy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Carbon Copy, College and Car Wash.
Carbon Copy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Carbon Copy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Carbon Copy?
Carbon Copy runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Carbon Copy released?
Carbon Copy was released on August 6, 1981.
Who directed Carbon Copy?
Carbon Copy was directed by Michael Schultz.
More films by Michael Schultz Who is in the cast of Carbon Copy?
Carbon Copy stars Denzel Washington as Roger Porter, George Segal as Walter Whitney and Vicky Dawson as Mary Ann, among 16 credited actors.
How much did Carbon Copy make at the box office?
Carbon Copy grossed $9.6 million worldwide.
Does Carbon Copy have a post-credit scene?
No. Carbon Copy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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