Review of The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) by Talya N — 13 Jun 2010

Don Knotts took some time out of his busy schedule as Barney Fife to head out to sea in this quasi-animated tale of Henry Limpet, a milquetoast 4-F who has an obsession with his piscatorial friends, much to the consternation of his wife Bessie (Carole Cook, bearing a sharp resemblance to Maureen O'Hara) and best friend George Stickle (the gregarious Jack Weston). The obsession gets so great that a visit to Coney Island has Henry finally jumping off the pier to his apparent death, only to be revived (and animated) as a near-sighted fish. Near run-ins with sharks, octopi and other carnivorous beasties soon has him high-tailing it for a sunken freighter, an overamourous lady-fish (Elizabeth McRae) and a crusty hermit crab (legendary voice actor Paul Frees).

Since the movie is set during World War II, it stands to reason Henry wants to follow his pal George in the Navy and discovers a unique way to find those nasty Nazi subs. But what to do about his new life as a fish and his old life (and wife) still in Flatbush?

Knotts not only gave empathy to Henry Limpet as a human, but it also carried through to his animated fish form. One may not have had much sympathy for Bessie and George for how they treated Henry early on, but it becomes apparent they both have a genuine love for the little guy. The cast bounces perfectly off the expert Warner Brothers animation team (especially Robert McKimson and Maurice Noble) to present a fish tale worth remembering.