The Incredible Mr. Limpet Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nerdy guy becomes a fish with glasses and yells at Nazi submarines, because why not?

🍿 The Incredible Mr. Limpet: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Henry Limpet

Henry Limpet, a meek and fish-obsessed bookkeeper, lives a mundane life in 1941 Brooklyn. Rejected by the Navy due to physical limitations, Henry dreams of becoming a fish, feeling out of place in the human world. His wife, Bessie, and friend, George, don’t quite understand his passion.

The Transformation

During a trip to Coney Island, Henry falls off a pier and undergoes a miraculous transformation into a fish. This sequence combines live-action and animation, showcasing Henry’s physical change and his initial wonder at his new form. He retains his glasses, highlighting his unique fish persona.

Life Under the Sea

As a fish, Henry explores the underwater world, encountering new friends like Ladyfish and Crusty the hermit crab. He quickly adapts to his new life, enjoying the freedom and simplicity of the ocean. However, the realities of World War II soon intrude upon his aquatic existence.

Aiding the War Effort

Henry discovers he possesses a unique sonic ability, a powerful ‘strum’ that can disrupt enemy submarines. He uses this ability to help the US Navy locate and destroy Nazi U-boats, becoming a secret weapon in the fight against the Axis powers. George Stickle becomes his liaison to the Navy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Limpet (Don Knotts): A meek bookkeeper obsessed with fish who magically transforms into one and aids the U.S. Navy during World War II.
• Bessie Limpet (Carole Cook): Henry’s dissatisfied wife who seems more interested in George Stickle than her husband.
• George Stickle (Jack Weston): Henry’s friend in the Navy who is also quite close to Henry’s wife Bessie, and eventually becomes the go-between for Limpet and the Navy.
• Ladyfish (Elizabeth MacRae): A friendly fish that Henry meets and falls in love with after his transformation.
• Crusty (Paul Frees): A crabby hermit crab who becomes Henry’s close friend and confidant in the ocean.
• Harlock (Andrew Duggan): The initially skeptical Navy Captain who learns to trust Henry Limpet’s sonar abilities to fight Nazi U-Boats.
• Admiral P.P. Spewter (Larry Keating): A Navy Admiral who becomes convinced that Henry Limpet is an assest to the military.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry Limpet: “I wish I were a fish!” – Henry expresses his desire to escape his mundane life and become a fish, a wish that surprisingly comes true.
• Ladyfish: “What if I told you I was once a human being?” – A whimsical line showing her acceptance of Limpet’s past and their connection.
• Crusty: “Torpeedy!” – Crusty’s mispronunciation of ‘torpedo’ became a memorable catchphrase associated with the character.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.7 million
• Domestic Gross: $14.7 million
• Worldwide Gross: $14.7 million

💥 The Incredible Mr. Limpet Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being absolutely amazed! The idea of someone turning into a fish and helping win the war seemed so cool. As an adult, it’s still fun, but definitely more campy than I remembered. Don Knotts is hilarious, and Crusty the crab steals every scene he’s in. It is very creative and I still have fun watching it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for classic, light-hearted entertainment”
  • “Fans of Don Knotts”
  • “Those interested in vintage animation”
  • “Individuals who appreciate quirky, feel-good stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild WWII depictions”
  • “Brief suggestion of marital issues”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Charming but uneven mix of live-action and animation. Knotts is likeable, but the story is silly even for kids. A decent family film but it doesn’t fully utilize Knotts’s comedic talent.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Though dated, ‘The Incredible Mr. Limpet’ maintains a certain whimsical charm. Don Knotts is endearing, and the blend of live-action and animation is creatively done, if not seamless. The film’s patriotic theme and lighthearted tone make it a pleasant, if unremarkable, viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

Don Knotts’ performance is genuinely funny and endearing.: Viewers loved Don Knotts’s comedic timing and the overall lighthearted tone of the film.

The blend of animation and live-action is inventive and unique for its time.: Many appreciated the movie’s creative animation techniques, especially the seamless integration with live-action scenes.

Overall Consensus: A quirky, fun family film with a unique blend of animation and live-action, powered by Don Knotts’s charm, that’s best enjoyed with a nostalgic mindset.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was the last animated feature produced by Warner Bros. Cartoon Studios before it closed down in 1963.”
• “Jim Carrey was considered for a remake of the film in the 1990s, with test animation being produced, but the project was ultimately shelved.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Incredible Mr. Limpet?

Currently, ‘The Incredible Mr. Limpet’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Incredible Mr. Limpet, you might like these similar films:

• Splash (1984): A man falls in love with a mermaid and must protect her from those who want to exploit her.
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): Combines live-action and animation, with a story set during World War II involving magical assistance against the Nazis.
• The Little Mermaid (1989): A mermaid makes a deal to become human, showcasing the allure and perils of transforming into another species.
• The Day of the Dolphin (1973): Shares the theme of intelligent marine life playing a role in military events, with focus on communication with dolphins.

🛒 The Incredible Mr. Limpet Related Products

• The Incredible Mr. Limpet [Blu-ray]: Own a piece of history with the remastered Blu-ray edition. Experience the vivid colors and enhanced details in stunning high definition. A must-have for collectors and fans alike.
• The Incredible Mr. Limpet T-Shirt: Show off your love for Mr. Limpet with this stylish t-shirt. Featuring iconic imagery from the movie, this shirt is made from comfortable, high-quality fabric. A fun way to express your fandom.
• Don Knotts: Five Classic Films Collection [DVD]: Immerse yourself in Don Knotts’s timeless humor with this collection featuring The Incredible Mr. Limpet alongside other beloved classics. Perfect for family movie nights.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Incredible Mr. Limpet features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Mr. Limpet March (Super Doodle Dandy)” – performed by Sammy Fain

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This Old Children’s Movie Makes Me Very Uncomfortable

Ever wonder if your favorite childhood movie was actually kind of weird? This review dives deep into “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” and, honestly, it’s way more bizarre than I remembered! You won’t believe some of the stuff they got away with.

The Incredible Mr Limpet (1999) Jim Carrey Test Footage Unreleased

Did you know Jim Carrey was almost Mr. Limpet? Check out this unreleased test footage from a scrapped remake! It’s only a short clip, but it makes you wonder what could have been – Carrey as a fish? Genius!

Don Knotts talks about “The Incredible Mr Limpet”

Want to know what it was *really* like making “The Incredible Mr. Limpet”? Don Knotts shares some great stories in this interview. It’s a short watch, and he is such a delight, you’ll get a kick out of it!

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