I wasn't born when this movie originally came out but when I was 7 or 8 ,I kind of remember seeing a re-release of it at a small theater in my hometown in 1973. I don't think I liked it then and seeing it again last night on TCM reminded me of why I probably didn't like it back in 1973. The whole plot of course which is ridiculous and of course fantasy plods along with Don Knotts his usual boring bug-eyed self hamming it up for the camera. I found none of the characters appealing ,in fact most are annoying from his buddy George to his annoying henpecking wife Bessie. After he turns into a fish via a live action/animated sequence that is probably the only interesting part of the movie, he spends most of it swimming around in long boring sequences . Eventually meeting up with a crusty old hermit crab - who is the only somewhat decent thing about this movie and a very annoying female fish that is a parody of what I'd call a loose woman - wanting to spawn moments after meeting Mr Limpet, wrapping herself around him and groping him. Inappropriate for kids to say the least. The rest of the movie is rather bland and boring with more scenes of swimming through generically animated ocean caverns etc and the whole Navy subplot so thoroughly a plug to get people to join I'd bet since the war had been over for almost 20 yrs when this film was released and enlistments were probably low.
I'd also have to say that the worst scene in the movie takes place in Limpets mind when he is helping the Navy sink U-Boats.
In this really moronic scene which is also an anachronism , Limpet sees himself back in human form being treated as a national hero ,marching in parades ,speaking to crowds ,waving etc with stock footage of most likely WW2 parades after the war was over and not only is the admirals uniform he wears of the wrong country(it's British) , it's also about 30 yrs out of date being from WW1 days. He is also shown wearing it as a fish etc. For the most part , this movie has all the wrong elements to be decent , for kids , the sexual fish on fish thing , the divorce aspects, the slimy friend moving in on his buddies wife. I give it 2/10 , only thing keeping it from a 1 is Crusty the crab who not only knows women are trouble but also wisely opts out of any sequels. Oh wait , Hollywood is remaking it , surprise surprise - another in a long list of remakes proving Hollywood is running out of original ideas.
I'd also have to say that the worst scene in the movie takes place in Limpets mind when he is helping the Navy sink U-Boats.
In this really moronic scene which is also an anachronism , Limpet sees himself back in human form being treated as a national hero ,marching in parades ,speaking to crowds ,waving etc with stock footage of most likely WW2 parades after the war was over and not only is the admirals uniform he wears of the wrong country(it's British) , it's also about 30 yrs out of date being from WW1 days. He is also shown wearing it as a fish etc. For the most part , this movie has all the wrong elements to be decent , for kids , the sexual fish on fish thing , the divorce aspects, the slimy friend moving in on his buddies wife. I give it 2/10 , only thing keeping it from a 1 is Crusty the crab who not only knows women are trouble but also wisely opts out of any sequels. Oh wait , Hollywood is remaking it , surprise surprise - another in a long list of remakes proving Hollywood is running out of original ideas.