Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

mark.waltz Hasn't practically everybody at least once in their life fantasized about what it would be like to be a member of another species? Whether it is the animal who represents the year on the Chinese calendar you were born or your favorite animal at the zoo or even one you've only seen on Wild Kingdom, God's non-human creatures fascinate us. For milquetoast Don Knotts, his staid job and marriage to a nagging wife have made him a regular at the Brooklyn Aquarium, staring for hours at the fish and longing for their freedom. So all it takes is a brief song ("I Wish I Were a Fish") and a day at Coney Island for him to get his wish, and when he does, he finds out that he can be useful to the World War II navy by notifying them to the presence of German U-Boats and Submarines, aiding the allies in winning the war.Part animation, part live action, this is non-Disney fantasy at its best, and a pre-cursor to "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and "The Little Mermaid" with its underwater fantasy sequences. Who better to play this part than Barney Fife himself, Don Knotts? The glamorous Carole Cooke, then a popular T.V. comedienne, is his loving wife who tries a bit too hard to influence him, ultimately losing him, but finding comfort in the arms of his best friend, Naval officer Jack Weston whom Knotts locates aboard a naval ship in order to offer his services.Made for both children and adults alike, the kids will find amusement at the animation sequences, particularly Knotts' crabby crab pal (complete with Wilford Brimley whiskers) and the "Battleship" theme. Andrew Duggan and Larry Keating play the perplexed Naval officers who must question their own sanity over the surprising ally they find swimming around them, while Elizabeth MacRae is an enchanting voice as Knotts' underwater paramour, "Ladyfish". Paul Frees is appropriately "crabby" as Crusty the Crab. I can't imagine how this could retain its charm in a remake. Forget the copycat, and stick with the original.

evening1 What a joy to view this charming fable again! Don Knotts is wonderful as geeky Henry Limpett. Life is tough for this bespectacled gentleman. He's too near-sighted to join the Navy, like other men in wartime New York City, and he seems friendless but for the fish in his aquarium. Making matters worse, oafish pretty-boy George has the hots for Henry's bimbo of a wife, played with winsome vulgarity by Carole Cook.One day, Henry unexpectedly gets his secret wish -- to chuck landlubber life altogether and turn into a tuna, and take up residence in the briny deep. And it's under water that he's finally able to join the Navy, as a torpedo interceptor, and finally land true love -- with a lady fish who worships his every fin. Oh, bubbly bliss!This movie came out when I was 8, and I was thrilled to be able to tape it and watch it with my 11-year-old, whose father also maintains a fish tank. Given that it was "old," my son was at first reluctant. But he quickly submerged himself in the movie's charms.This film's happy ending sloshes with joy. Just another reminder that impossible dreams can come true if one remains open to life's lucky accidents.

dwpollar 1st watched 6/28/2009 - 4 out of 10 (Dir-Arthur Lubin): Harmless and silly fantasy about a man who turns into a fish and accomplishes more in this state than as a human. Don Knotts, plays Mr. Limpet -- the weakly accountant who pays more attention to his fishtank than anything else in life, including his wife, and dreams of becoming a fish. On a trip to Coney Island, he falls into the water and magically becomes one through the power of animation -- with glasses and all!! As a human he wanted to be in the navy but couldn't because of his health, so as a fish he uses his ability to see Nazi subs underwater and his loud sonar-like acquired voice to help the U.S. military. Kind of fishy, huh?? Well, anyway the navy uses his services and along with silly songs and OK animation we get another fish out of water tale,, ha!! ha!! But seriously, this is a likable enough story but Knott's comic abilities are not used and the story is pretty silly even for kids. Nice attempt, but just falls short.

MartinHafer Is there something I am missing here? I mean that this film, despite a reasonably high IMDb score, is a really dumb movie, isn't it?! Seeing a high number of glowing reviews makes me start to doubt my own sanity. I remember clearly that this movie as a stupid little fantasy movie about a fish-loving guy who is magically transformed into an ugly fish that wears glasses and helps the US Navy. Right?! Well, based only on that thin description it just seems obvious that this is a dopey movie and a real waste of Don Knotts talents. And he left The Andy Griffith Show one year later, after doing this??? But, there is definitely no consensus here. You see the film and be the judge. Maybe there is something about this movie that makes it worth seeing--I just never noticed it.