thejcowboy22 Review of The Incredible Mr. Limpet

The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964)

Groundbreaking Film Campy, Fun & OUT-OF -THE-BOX entertainment.

[7/10 · 9 March 2016]

Saw this movie when I was 6 years old and I never get tired of watching it. An anomaly for our star from West Virginia. Don Knotts plays a meek, bespectacled Bookkeeper from Brooklyn who was rejected by the armed services 4F. His passion or obsession is fish. Not to consume but to be one.A bold statement coming from our Mr.Henry Limpet.Henry has a domineering Wife Bessie Played by Carole Cook. Henry's collection of fish gets out of hand as he floods the apartment rug. Bessie lays down the law and says,"Either the fish goes or I go!" The Limpets are visited by a former third wheel George Stickle played by Jack Weston who also worked with Chimps on his TV program the Hathaway's. Stickle who is on shore leave from the Navy wants to do the town. The truth is that Henry is the third wheel in this triangle. Bessie and George would rather go dancing instead of sitting through boring lengthy lectures by ichthyologists. The trio agree on a venue. Coney Island. After all Henry exclaimed "WELL, I do like the water." Off they go for an Afternoon picnic by the pier. Henry fully clothed with a reverse evolution book in hand jumps into the water and the transformation begins. Warner Brothers animator Bob McKimson does a fine job of making a fish with glasses and it sort of captures the mannerisms of Don Knotts. George Stickle dives into save his friend and finds Henry in Fish form complete with glasses. They both looks at each other and shake their heads in disbelief and they swim away in opposite directions. Bessie distraught, is comforted by George as the police give up the search. Henry swims off and tries to be-friend other species of fish without any luck. Henry feels guilty about his dilemma and is quickly greeted by a hungry shark. He gasped and lets out a loud thrum. The shark is blown away. Henry swims on to a shipwreck and meets a hermit crab Crusty. Paul Frees voice man par excellence does a fine job making the crab come across like an old sea captain. Limpet sees a fish in distress on the verge of being some fisherman's dinner. Swoops by and cuts the fishing line in freeing our new member of the film Lady Fish voice by Elizabeth McRae. Limpet wants to help the navy in spotting Nazi U-boats with his thrum as a warning device or secret weapon. Henry directs the American destroyer to a Nazi sub with a direct hit. Henry tries top convince he's on the side of the allies and wants to give his services but Captain Harlock played by Andrew Duggan wants the recognition signal. Henry insists on meeting his pal George Stickle 3 days from now to straighten things with the Navy. After getting over the shock of his friends physical change, George and Henry are a piscatorial team in sinking one after another Nazi Submarines. Henry wants to be commissioned and have his wife receive a paycheck. Enter Larry Keating as Admiral Spewter who says, "Definitely Not!" The Fleet Admiral steps in and demands give the fish whatever he wants the convoy to Europe must not be stopped! Will Henry lead the ships across the Atlantic? Will Henry turn back into a human or stay a float and spend his remaining underwater life with his fish friends? Sit back with your Grandkids and enjoy The Incredible Mr. LImpet!