The Love God?

Clean and decent ornithologist Don Knotts (as Abner Peacock IV) is about to see his poor-selling bird-watching magazine peck it in. Meanwhile, smut-peddling publisher Edmond O'Brien (as Osborne Tremain) loses his magazine's license, due to pornographic content. To continue printing his bosomy babes, O'Brien tricks Knotts into turning over his periodical's editorial content. After sending Knotts off on safari, O'Brien turns the tame "Peacock's Magazine" into a titillating masturbatory aide.

Knotts returns to find himself corralled into becoming the defendant in a "free speech" case. With assistance from enterprising editor Anne Francis (as Lisa La Monica), Knotts is transformed into a Hugh Hefner-type publishing giant. Then, Ms. Francis falls in love with playboy Knotts...

Knotts can't help but be funny; this particular characterization was perfected in his role of "Mr. Furley" on the TV series "Three's Company". His "Abner Peacock" is little less sure, perhaps necessarily so, considering the times. Note, the screeching and shouting was not part of Knotts' later routine. Under-appreciated writer/director Nat Hiken cleverly mixes satire and sexy women. "The Love God?" is colorful, and features a delightful supporting cast. Unfortunately, by the last act, the film's direction, and humor, has pointedly unraveled.

***** The Love God? (1969) Nat Hiken ~ Don Knotts, Anne Francis, Edmond O'Brien

The Love God? finds Edmond O'Brien down, but not out as the publisher of a smut magazine where he features his wife Maureen Arthur in many issues. After yet another conviction for selling the pornography, O'Brien gets his fourth class mail permit lifted by the Postmaster General. What to do?

Inspiration hits him as he drives through the small town of Peacock Falls where one of the descendent's of the town founder, Don Knotts publishes a magazine for ornithologists that's about to go under. To get that permit, O'Brien agrees to bail Knotts out of debt and even sends him on a trip deep in the Amazon jungle to get a photograph of a rare tropical bird so he can make the necessary editorial changes.

A whole lot of good players get involved in this film in which choirmaster and scout leader Don Knotts from his small town is transformed into a Hugh Hefner clone by makeover genius Anne Francis. James Gregory has a marvelous part as a blustering civil liberties attorney, a man who looks like he's traveled the slippery slope often. B.S. Pully is also good as the gangster backer of O'Brien who hams it up outrageously. Of the whole cast Edmond O'Brien looked like he was really enjoying himself.

Poor Knotts plays his usual befuddled lugnut of a human being who can't quite grasp all that's swirling around him. Certainly he never thought of himself as The Love God?

I wasn't expecting all that much and I was pleasantly surprised that The Love God? turned out better than I thought. Catch it sometime, even if you're not a Don Knotts fan.

The Love God is a funny movie. don knotts is very funny but notice this movie is PG-13 but it is still funny! i'm 13 years old. i own the movie it is good! the other don knotts movies are not rated!

Typical Knotts wide eyed, who me?, what's going on here?, comedy. Fairly amusing throughout with no serious stone left unturned in this ridiculous farce which creates a sex symbol out of a straight arrow, dull, bird watcher. This wouldn't have been as funny using a actor less goofy looking than Knotts.

I personally enjoy this film for a few reasons. The style, design, fashion, etc. and time period are awesome. Late 60s and groovy as can be. The whole "Hugh Hefner" thing is happening.

At least in 1969, who would be the best (aka WORST) Love God? Don Knotts, of course. While this movie is a bit different than his other starring films (it's PG-13 for a start), it still has that charm.

Knotts always plays a small town guy getting mixed up in something, and becoming a reluctant hero. It's a formula that works well for him, and we have it in this movie. I think some people do not enjoy this movie because it's just a little different than his other work up to this point, but that's okay.

While this is essentially a sex-comedy, the film is still family friendly overall. There's nothing too blatant, so if you're old enough you'll get it, and if you aren't then that's okay. I recommend this movie, especially if you like Don Knotts, the 60s, or both.