La cebolla verde

The cast of this 1969 movie alone is enough to recommend it. A pre Odd Couple Tony Randall. A post Psycho Janet Leigh as his wife . Jim Backus being Jim Backus. Roddy McDowell somewhere between Flicka and Planet of the Apes. Richard Dreyfus facing his FIRST shark encounter (sharks were old hat to him by the time Jaws came around) Ken Barry actually playing a bad guy! And Charlotte Rae who apparently had other charges in her care prior to Willis, Arnold, Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie.

If that doesn't give you an idea of the delightful absurdity of this movie add in a couple of dolphins that have seen 1 too many Lassie movies. Sprinkle it with sonar jamming rock music and Harvey Lemboeck. I defy anyone with an ounce of humor in their soul not to laugh at the silliness of this movie.

So what's the movie about? Okay if you MUST know, Tony Randall has invented an underwater home and to prove to his boss (Jim Backus) that living under water isn't a crazy idea Tony talks his family into moving into his invention for a month. Tony and Janet have 2 teenagers that are part of a rock band that's about to go big time thanks to record company owner and boy-genius Roddy McDowell, so naturally the entire band goes along for the ride including a lead guitarist played by Richard Dreyfus. You'll find Janet's "futuristic" kitchen quite amusing...as well as the idea that when the kids practice their rock music it jams Navy sonar! Oh, did I mention that Ken Barry is a conniving coworker of Tony's and who's trying to sabotage Tony's work and take his job??

Sigh. I really loved this movie as a kid!! It aired once on the Family Channel (now it's PAX) and then I lost the VHS or taped over it entirely. I recently found a really crappy version on Videobeat.com that is so fuzzy that it's not even worth watching it. It really isn't worth the price you pay for it either as some guy just recorded it from his own VHS recording so you know how that goes. But if you are really desperate like I was to hear "GLUB" again and to relive some happier times, then try Videobeat.com. I wish they would release this movie on DVD so that everyone can share the magic of Glub and the house under the sea. Sure, the acting is campy and the story line is lame, but the music makes it much better (even though they are lip singing and not even playing their instruments). Plus, you gotta love a Richard Dreyfuss film!

Hello Down There is one of my favorite childhood movies, I can't believe it didn't make it to DVD yet! I still sing Little Goldfish at the oddest times because it harbors sentimental value I guess. It's kind of soothing...my bunnies like it. And I'll never forget calling that home under the sea "the Green Onion." Richard Dryfeuss is classic as the hippie boyfriend every dad had nightmares about. Tony Randall and Janet Leigh play comedically well off each other, especially as Janet Leigh tries to come to terms with being under the ocean. Just at great all around movie.

Although some people might feel it is cheesy, I think it's hilarious. There's something to be said for wholesome fun family movies. So, get it on DVD!

Hello Down There' was a fun, campy adventure. The movie was a cross between `Lost in Space' and the `Partridge Family' but with lots of water, a predecessor of `Sea Quest DSV'. The plot was about a family who lived at the bottom of the ocean and the adventures and friends they made, both human and aquatic, specifically a dolphin. The songs were lively and fun for kids to sing. No `R' rating here. Several well known stars participated in the movie, such as Ken Berry, Richard Dreyfuss, Merv Griffin, Janet Leigh, Roddy McDowall, Lee Meredith, Charlotte Rae, and Tony Randall. I find `Hello Down There' to be a fond, fun memory from my childhood, and would love to see it released on DVD as a family classic film.

We loved this movie when we saw it at the theatre during its original release; I still have fond memories of the pet dolphins cavorting in the living room pool, and of the space-age push-button underwater conveniences (such as that neat pop-up refrigerator). I can even remember the lyrics to "Hey Little Goldfish" and "Glub, Glub"!! As kids we sang those songs for years. I can't wait to rent this one and rock out again with Dreyfuss and the gang! I hope he doesn't mind too much, 'cause I think this movie is a great sixties artifact, with a fun cast and very creative sets.