Der erstaunliche Mr. Limpet

This little oddball film from the mid 60's is hard to characterize. In the days just before the attack on Pearl Harbor, a nerdy, winsome misfit who is yet very amiable and loved by others, feels something just isn't right about his life. He interacts far more effectively with the little marine creatures inhabiting the aquarium in his house, than he does with his wife, friends, and co-workers.

Nobody but Don Knotts (doesn't that slightly knotted-up Knotts face slightly resemble a fishy to begin with? lol), could have pulled off a way-out live action/animation fantasy comedy like this. That high-pitched, nasally voice talent of his fits this role to a tee. Limpet sees (what he perceives to be) the carefree life of a fish, and wishes with all his might to be one of them. Presto, change-o, morpho! Welcome to the Atlantic a new bespectacled fish that has a unique ability that comes in handy for survival and in other ways you simply won't expect.

Odder still than all of that is the way the plucky little fish finds himself enmeshed in the naval battles of World War II. Although WW2 would seem like a stark place to set a fantasy comedy, this wacky little film manages to take all these elements and run with them for playful laughs. I'm not sure how I (or anybody else) would handle seeing a friend talking from the water as a fish, and the supporting cast are all perfect in the humorous "playing down" reactions they have to this bizarre situation.

Fun stuff.

I saw this movie when I was a child, maybe 3 or 4 years old. It made such a big impression on me that I have thought about it off and on for my entire adult life, but couldn't remember the movie's name. For Christmas this year, out of the blue, my mother gave me the DVD as a present. She told me that she knew I would like it because it affected me so much. This movie made me cry even as an adult.

I would highly recommend that children see this movie, at any age. It has a strong message about believing in one's self and one's abilities.

Don Knotts was a very gifted actor, and now that he has passed away, I think people should reflect on his career and his genius.

This is a charming film for children or adults. I saw it on its first release when I was twelve. Rewatching it now, I still enjoy its positive message and unique presentation.

Using both live action and animation, this film combines the real word with the fantastic world of imagination, especially as represented by the inner thoughts of Henry Limpet, an unassuming man who yearns for a better life. It is reported that many actors were considered for the role of Mr. Limpet, but it is doubtful any of them could better represent this character than Don Knotts.

Accompanied by some enjoyable tunes by Sammy Fain and Harold Adamson, this story of a man who magically fulfills his dreams is as unpretentious as Don Knotts himself. The story takes place during WWII. Its patriotic aspects are underplayed and only exist to serve the greater story of Limpet's quest for happiness.

The animated story exists side by side with the live action. Great voice characterizations by Paul Frees (Crusty) and Elizabeth McRae (Ladyfish) add humor and even a little romance. On the live action side, Jack Weston ("Dirty Dancing") plays George Stickel, the unctuous "friend" who is always ready to take advantage of any situation.

Mr. Limpet is a gentle soul and a suitable protagonist for any age.

This film takes me back many years to when I had an argument with a cousin who was into all things aquatic and he wanted to see this film. Being two years older and more mature about these things I scorned seeing The Incredible Mr. Limpet at the time when it was first out.

Well almost fifty years later I can admit I was wrong. The Incredible Mr. Limpet which seems to have a dopey premise is a really charming mixed live action animation story which Don Knotts is perfectly cast in. And what's wrong with a film where a man achieves his life ambition, in this case to be a member of the piscatorial community.

Don Knotts plays Henry Limpet, a shy bookish sort that years before Danny Kaye would have played who has all kinds of ailments including bad vision that keep him out of World War II, at least as a human. One day out at Coney Island, Knotts falls off the pier and drowns. Drowns as a human, but through an unseen power returns as a most unusual Mr. Ed kind of fish.

Knotts keeps his nearsightedness and the glasses he wore as a human as well, but he's developed a kind of sonic blast that keeps predators like sharks away. It all proves most useful to the US Navy because even though Don Knotts is a fish, he's patriotic American fish.

Carole Cook plays his frustrated wife and Jack Weston, Knott's best friend and man ready to catch Cook on the rebound as Knotts seems more interested life under the sea than the motion of the ocean with Cook.

Despite these sly adult innuendos, The Incredible Mr. Limpet is a nice family film that holds up well after half a century. And Knotts finds true love in the ocean and by now there are untold thousands of Limpet fish in our sea world.

At least I hope so.

This film holds universal appeal for people who dream of one day turning into fish. Henry Limpet is one of these people, and the dream comes true suddenly when he falls off the pier at Coney Island. From this point Henry finds his destiny, finding true love and working for the US Navy to help defeat the Nazis. Sort of a piscatorial Walter Mitty tale, with a very happy ending. Recommended also because it affords viewers the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Don Knotts serenading a goldfish.