04-17-2025 - on This Moment in Film History
Apr 17, 2025•2 min
Episode description
On April 17, 1992, the American comedy film "White Men Can't Jump" was released in the United States. The movie was directed by Ron Shelton and starred Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as two streetball hustlers who join forces to double their chances of winning money on the basketball courts of Los Angeles.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $90 million worldwide against a budget of $31 million. It was praised for its witty dialogue, energetic performances, and authentic portrayal of street basketball culture.
One of the most memorable aspects of the film was the chemistry between Snipes and Harrelson, who played off each other's strengths and comedic timing to create a dynamic and entertaining duo. The movie also tackled themes of race, class, and friendship, as the two main characters navigated their differences and learned to trust and support each other both on and off the court.
"White Men Can't Jump" has since become a cult classic and is often cited as one of the best sports comedies of all time. It also helped to launch the careers of several of its stars, including Rosie Perez, who played Harrelson's girlfriend in the film and received critical acclaim for her performance.
The movie's title, which refers to the stereotype that white men are not as naturally gifted at basketball as black men, has also become a popular cultural reference and has been parodied and referenced in numerous other films, TV shows, and songs over the years.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $90 million worldwide against a budget of $31 million. It was praised for its witty dialogue, energetic performances, and authentic portrayal of street basketball culture.
One of the most memorable aspects of the film was the chemistry between Snipes and Harrelson, who played off each other's strengths and comedic timing to create a dynamic and entertaining duo. The movie also tackled themes of race, class, and friendship, as the two main characters navigated their differences and learned to trust and support each other both on and off the court.
"White Men Can't Jump" has since become a cult classic and is often cited as one of the best sports comedies of all time. It also helped to launch the careers of several of its stars, including Rosie Perez, who played Harrelson's girlfriend in the film and received critical acclaim for her performance.
The movie's title, which refers to the stereotype that white men are not as naturally gifted at basketball as black men, has also become a popular cultural reference and has been parodied and referenced in numerous other films, TV shows, and songs over the years.
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast