SNMR 6.18: "The Incredible Mr. Limpet"

Historically, I haven't reviewed many movies for kids in this column. A month or so ago I decided to pick up this movie, which I enjoyed as a kid, for my kids. That said, tonight’s SNMR feature is “The Incredible Mr. Limpet“ (1964, G, 99 minutes), starring Don Knotts, Carole Cook, Andrew Duggan, Jack Weston and Larry Keating. The film was directed by Arthur Lubin.

PLOT SUMMARY: Set in the 1940’s, Henry Limpet (Knotts) is a man from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York who loves fish. In fact he loves fish so much he’d like to become one. After a hard day at work and getting rejected by the US Navy as a classified 4-F, Henry and his wife along with his friend George, who is a sailor in the Navy, decide it would be relaxing and fun to take a trip to Coney Island and relax with a picnic.. While leaning over the pier into the water, Henry falls into the ocean and everyone thinks he’s drowned. Except for now Henry has his wish - he’s a fish!
Henry discovers that he can make a loud thrumming noise under water, which he discovers is excellent for getting rid of predator fish, and the Nazi U-Boat fleet, who are dominating the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Henry leads a Navy destroyer to where a German submarine is hiding and helps them blow it up. Henry then realizes that he can help the US Navy win World War II, which America has just entered after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Henry becomes the Navy’s secret weapon, and helps us thrash Nazi Germany and win the war. Henry, as a man was useless to the Navy but as a fish, he becomes the Navy’s newest hero.

MY OPINION: This kids movie used to be one of my favorites growing up, and was for a time a staple of Saturday morning cinema on television. Cleverly blending live action and animation sequences, this film, along with Mary Poppins, paved the way for other live action - animation blended films. Don Knotts was one of those actors who to me was just funny naturally, though this is more of a straight, serious role for the comedic actor. The story is clever when you’re a kid, but not so much as an adult. I bought this movie for nostalgic reasons and because it was inexpensive. I watched it with V and M this afternoon, since I didn‘t have access to the Internet here at my ex’s house. V thought it was a cute movie and enjoyed it, M not so much.

This is a great movie to keep the kiddoes occupied for a bit and for a trip down memory lane.

**½ out of *****