How to Frame a Figg

...it is still entertaining and interesting. Many people have complained that this is Don on autopilot. Nothing could be further from the truth. Granted, the FILMMAKERS were on autopilot. The overt kiddie flick tone of "Figg" was obviously an attempt to counter the perceived flack the studio got from the mild sexual overtones of Knotts'previous film, the classic "The Love God?". And "Figg" is a goofy, childish film in many ways--similar to the worst of Disney's live action romps like "Herbie Goes Bannanas" or "The Million Dollar Duck.".

But the film does do one thing right—it changes up the standard Don Knotts film character. As everyone notes, the standard character in Knotts' five classic Universal flicks is basically Barney Fife. But it's more complex than that. In the first four films, the Knotts character was invariably a naïf loser who is put upon, becomes an undeserved success, gets a big head, is brought down again, and eventually perseveres. Through it all, however, he is always a nice guy.

This, however, is only half of the Fife persona. The other half is what I like to call the "Dick Barney," as in "The Barney Who Acts Like a Dick." This angrier Barn is evident in the "Andy Griffith" episodes in which Barney is in charge of Gomer or Goober. Seeing them as inferiors, the inferiority-complex riddled Barney is always compelled to order them around, yell at them, and call them stupid—in other words, to just treat them like a dick. This kind of interaction was the source of many hilarious "slow burn" Barney tantrums.

The Knotts we see in "Figg" is not the Nice Barney, it is definitely the Dick Barney. So, even though the plot of "Figg" is pretty much a cookie-cutter slice of the standard Knott's formula, the lead character is a definite change for the film series. The substitute Gomer in "Figg" is Knott's best friend Prentiss, played by voice artist Frank Welker. And Prentiss makes Gomer look like a freakin' genius (in fact Welker's performance is so over the top childlike that he seems literally retarded—but no one really seems to notice). Knotts' Figg character verbally rails on Prentiss without mercy, eyes popping, veins bulging, his whole body vibrating with rage. IT IS A RIOT TO BEHOLD!

So, even though the script, supporting cast, and direction of "Figg" were all substandard, Knotts himself did at least try to give us something different instead of simply rehashing the same ole same ole. Gotta give him credit for that!

"How to Frame a Figg" was the last of the Universal film vehicles for comedy star Don Knotts, and it definitely yields lesser results, although it's still good for some laughs. Knotts plays Hollis A. Figg, a none too bright accountant at City Hall, who is turned into a patsy for a troupe of crooked politicians. Among them are Kermit Sanderson (Joe Flynn), the mayor (Edward Andrews), and the towns' elderly bigwig, Charley Spaulding (Parker Fennelly). One method employed by our comedic villains is to reward Figg with a do nothing job and a smoking hot secretary (Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig).

Knotts is in typically fine form, even if he's had better material before and after this one. He still knows how to do a great comedic over reaction. Here, his flamboyant style is complemented by a young co-star, and it is here that "How to Frame a Figg" has its greatest value: a rare substantial on screen appearance by the legendary voice over artist Frank Welker, a guy whom most people have to have heard in SOMETHING. He's had tons of credits over the last several decades. He's good as a cheerful, endearingly annoying type. It also helps Figg look smarter by having a sidekick who's even more dense (and who is prone to constantly reference classic movie moments).

The very fine supporting cast helps matters a lot. Elaine Joyce is appealing as a waitress and love interest for our hero. Craig is tantalizingly sexy as the temptress with lots of "doting uncles". Fennelly is a hoot as the irascible ringleader who refers to his underlings as "poop heads". (This IS rated G.)

Like a lot of comedies, it can get pretty silly and tiresome at times, but it's still impossible to truly dislike.

Directed by Knotts' frequent co-conspirator Alan Rafkin ("The Ghost and Mr. Chicken", "The Shakiest Gun in the West"), with appropriately goofy music by Vic Mizzy. Knotts shares story credit with Edward Montagne.

Six out of 10.

This outing of Knotts includes one of his best sidekicks ever, Frank Welker. Welker makes the film. Knotts and Welker compete for the laughs and both receive plenty. Knotts works for a small "no where" town where the city is being run by some of the most ignorant officials. When things go wrong the city fathers, allow Knotts to take the fall. Frank Welker's character befriends Knotts and together they stumble together to clear up the mess and Knott's good name. This film shows the usual Knott's scared to death character that made him famous for years on television and film. This may have been Knotts' last good outing. When you have an extra 90 minutes, get a good old fashioned laugh a great icon, Don Knotts.

An entrepreneurial cabal of city commissioners is on the verge of being exposed. Therefore, they cover their tracks by purchasing an old computer and firing anyone smart enough to detect their pilfering from city coffers. Also, just in case they are detected they need a patsy. Yep, it was not hard to pick a Fig.

An interesting surprise is when Hollis (Don Knotts) visits his new secretaries' (Yvonne Craig) apartment and asks how she can afford it on her salary. The answer Blue-chip Stamps. I used to save them as a kid.

There are too many great and recognizable actors in this film to name each independently. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention Edward Andrews; he plays the second in command Mayor Robert Chisholm. Previously we remember him from such films as The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) and The Brass Bottle (1964).

If folks were really this stupid I could be the SRW - Supreme Ruler of the World. In this one Knotts plays a dimwitted bean counter for some little jerk water town run by a group of crooked simpletons only slightly brighter than he is. When things appear a bit shaky for the crooks they go for a frame-up of the patsy Figg. Plenty of laughs as Knotts does his usual bumbling, stumbling act. I especially appreciated the extension cord scene; asininity at it's highest level.