"Chameleon Street" (1989): Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s debut feature film was a big hit at the Sundance Film Festival almost 20 years ago, but has since languished in obscurity. Recently released on DVD, this amazing mix of comedy and drama is inspired by the real-life exploits of Doug Street (Harris), a Detroit con man who pretended to be a lawyer, a grad student and even a doctor who performs surgery. Harris not only stars, he also directed, produced and wrote this low-budget treat that delivers a mix of comedic brilliance and painful truth about race relations and human nature that recalls the stand-up routines of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor. The film does have flaws, as the nonlinear story line can get confusing; but Harris' script and performance are pure genius. The fact that "Chameleon Street" has been all but forgotten, while other, less-deserving films have thrived, is a cinematic crime. But with its release on DVD, there is now an opportunity to "discover" a thoroughly entertaining film. (The Everett Collection)