The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) starring Don Knotts, Joan Staley, Dick Sargent
In The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Luther Heggs (played by Don Knotts), is a typesetter for his small town newspaper, the Rachel Courier Express. He aspires to be a reporter however and gets his big break when the editor (played by Dick Sargent of Bewitched fame) asks him to spend the night at the old Simmons mansion that, 20 years before, was the site of a now-famous murder-suicide. The case has aroused local interest not only because of the anniversary but because the nephew of the murdered couple, Nicholas Simmons, has returned to Rachel aiming to tear the mansion down.
Read More »The Ghost and Mr. ChickenThe Incredible Mr. Limpet
The Incredible Mr. Limpet, starring Don Knotts
The Incredible Mr. Limpet is a very funny, entertaining film, starring Don Knotts. He’s the mild-mannered Henry Limpet. Set during World War II, the patriotic Mr. Limpet, an avid fan of fish, tries to enlist in the Navy, only to be rejected due to his poor eyesight. A wish magically comes true, and Henry Limpet is turned into a fish, who becomes the Navy’s secret weapon during World War II.
Read More »The Incredible Mr. LimpetThe Reluctant Astronaut
The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) starring Don Knotts, Leslie Nielsen
Don Knotts takes his ‘nervous fraidy-cat’ character to outer space (or at least to orbit) in this funny, family-friendly comedy. The Reluctant Astronaut begins with Roy Fleming (Don Knotts in the title role) appearing to be in a space capsule orbiting the Earth. Until the camera zooms out, and reveals that instead he’s operating a kiddie ride at an amusement park. Once the ride is over, he leaves the ride (with the help of the actor who played one of the ‘old men’ on the Andy Griffith Show). In order to demonstrate to the audience that Don Knotts’ character has a severe fear of heights. On his break, he asks one of his fellow employees at the amusement park for a date. And after much begging, she reluctantly agrees. His normal day at work is interrupted by an urgent call from his mother, causing him to dash home.
Read More »The Reluctant AstronautSoldier in the Rain
Soldier in the Rain (1963) starring Jackie Gleason, Steve McQueen, Tuesday Weld. A very unusual, funny, and sweet “buddy” film
Read More »Soldier in the RainThe Private Eyes
The Private Eyes (1980), co-starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts
Nothing in Common
Nothing in Common (1986) starring Tom Hanks, Jackie Gleason
Nothing in Common – Jackie Gleason’s final film role, as the gruff father who needs to repair his relationship with his son Tom Hanks before he dies
Read More »Nothing in CommonThe Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) starring Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Harry Morgan
The Prize Fighter
The Prize Fighter (1979), co-starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts
Silent Movie
DVD review of Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie – Aspiring filmmakers Mel Funn (Mel Brooks), Marty Eggs (Marty Feldman) and Dom Bell (Dom DeLuise) go to a financially troubled studio with an idea for a silent movie. In an effort to make the movie more marketable, they attempt to recruit a number of big name stars to appear, while the studio’s creditors attempt to thwart them