The Love God?

This was a decent movie from start to finish. I thought the story, characters, and actors did an excellent job making this movie seem realistic. Don Knotts is as always the geeky skinny guy who seems like he'd be the last one picked to do what he does. He plays these characters the best. If you are a fan of Don Knotts, you will enjoy this, simply out of the amusement of seeing him play the super-stud character. The plot is excellent, and not boring, but the content isn't as funny as Don Knotts' other films. Definetely check it out though. It isn't as family oriented because of the content it conveys, but it is still a film that most would enjoy. I'd give it a 6.5 out of 10 rating.

As a part of film history, "The Love God?" is uniformly dismissed as just another goofy, formulaic Don Knotts romp--and in many ways it does follow the Knotts formula pretty closely. But this time the Knotts formula was turned in on itself. In actuality "The Love God?" is one of the best mainstream American social satires of the 1960s, just behind recognized classics such as "Dr. Strangelove" and "The President's Analyst." Knotts plays his usual character, this time named Abner Peacock. Abner is the editor of a bird-watching magazine in financial trouble. His dying magazine, The Peacock, is taken over by a pornographer while Abner is in South America looking for a rare bird. Abner returns from his safari to find that the Peacock has been turned into a cross between Playboy and Hustler. He also finds himself arrested and a defendant in a constitutional battle over "his right" to publish "dirty pictures" in The Peacock. Abner only wants to have the truth be known--that he had his magazine shanghaied without his knowledge. But instead his case comes to the attention of a self-serving Civil Liberties attorney who wants to use his case as a free-speech landmark. Abner wins his case, but is not satisfied that he is represented as a "filthy degenerate sex fiend" (in a hilarious courtroom sequence). After his victory Abner wants the truth to come out, but he is convinced by the interest groups and his own money-sniffing relatives that it is his patriotic duty to keep publishing pornography as a freedom of speech issue. The attention draws big money to The Peacock, and Abner is further convinced that, in order for the magazine to be a success, he must play the part of the Sex God libertine.

In true Knotts style, Abner gets totally carried away with the role of pseudo Hugh Hefner. But of course, the truth eventually comes out and Abner/Don eventually comes to his senses and of course triumphs over the bad guys.

Now try and find a satire with a plot as smart as that in today's dimwitted movie market! This movie is as smart as it is hilarious. The only drawback is that the generally family-friendly nature of the film necessitates that the "outrageous pornography" represented is limited to photos of big-busted babes in swimsuits--stuff that wouldn't make an 11 year old of today break a blush. "The Love God?" is second in Don Knott's classic resume only to the all time classic "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken."

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.

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

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.