Andy Howlett
Oh crikey. Stumped for something to watch while we knocked back our wine, we saw this on Amazon for £2.49 instant rental. Sounded promising - made in the 60's, Tony Randall stars, director Jack Arnold. So we clicked the button. If only we hadn't. Randall and Leigh are a typical married couple with teenage kids who (needless to say) play in a band with a mate or two. Oh dear, there's going to be music. Anyhow, Randall works for a company that is looking for new ideas and he comes up with an underwater home. It's already built and just needs testing with a real family....and of course the boss (who thinks it's an awful idea) insists that Randall and family should be the ones who live there for 30 days. After a few not-too-bad underwater model shots of mini-subs etc, we get to the house. Inside, it looks like the set of The Banana Splits has crashed into The Partridge Family via The Monkees, and the plot and acting are of a similar standard. Some bits reminded me very much of the Disney films of the mid 60's. Others made me think it may have been cobbled together from a TV sitcom, all it needed was a laugh track. By the one hour mark this film had well out-stayed its welcome, but we ploughed on. A very messy final 40 minutes had the action switching between the US Navy, the underwater house, Randall's boss and his housekeeper who is passing messages to dolphins, not to mention the pop group (headed by a very young Richard Dreyfus), who had only two songs and we got to hear them every ten minutes. Aargh! We were more than relieved when the film suddenly ended (OK everyone, just finish it now will you) and we could put it behind us. What a pity to see one of my favourite actors Tony Randall in such a disappointing effort as this, and I wonder what director Jack Arnold was playing at. Perhaps everyone just needed a payday.
pecaro0518
OK, I like the movies from this time period. I love the funny/goofy/ hippie stuff. This one takes the cake! It's so fun to watch, it's one of my absolute favorite movies ever. This movie is worth watching just for the music. The songs are so catchy! I have sung them in my head all my life since I was a little girl from seeing this movie just once! I'm so glad it's available on DVD now. I watch it over and over. It's another one of those comforting movies. The story is cute, has a little "drama" (lol!) I like that 70's way of dancing that Janet Leigh does! The kids are in a band "Harold and the Hangups" and I love the parts where they "jam". It's so very fun. Oh-the part where Tony Randall sings a song is also very catchy and fun! Very fun to see a young Richard Dreyfuss! A must see for all. Classic.
vonnablady
The cast of this 1969 movie alone is enough to recommend it. A pre Odd Couple Tony Randall. A post Psycho Janet Leigh as his wife . Jim Backus being Jim Backus. Roddy McDowell somewhere between Flicka and Planet of the Apes. Richard Dreyfus facing his FIRST shark encounter (sharks were old hat to him by the time Jaws came around) Ken Barry actually playing a bad guy! And Charlotte Rae who apparently had other charges in her care prior to Willis, Arnold, Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie.If that doesn't give you an idea of the delightful absurdity of this movie add in a couple of dolphins that have seen 1 too many Lassie movies. Sprinkle it with sonar jamming rock music and Harvey Lemboeck. I defy anyone with an ounce of humor in their soul not to laugh at the silliness of this movie.So what's the movie about? Okay if you MUST know, Tony Randall has invented an underwater home and to prove to his boss (Jim Backus) that living under water isn't a crazy idea Tony talks his family into moving into his invention for a month. Tony and Janet have 2 teenagers that are part of a rock band that's about to go big time thanks to record company owner and boy-genius Roddy McDowell, so naturally the entire band goes along for the ride including a lead guitarist played by Richard Dreyfus. You'll find Janet's "futuristic" kitchen quite amusing...as well as the idea that when the kids practice their rock music it jams Navy sonar! Oh, did I mention that Ken Barry is a conniving coworker of Tony's and who's trying to sabotage Tony's work and take his job??
kheld-1
A favorite movie from childhood. Good clean fun, for the whole family. Packed with a cast of stars, this movie invites you to come along and tour the cool house under the sea. The kids have a rock band, it's hard to get the glug song out of your head. There are many good family films offered in today's times, but older films like Hello Down There out to be part of what's offered to kids and families today. Some may say that Hello Down There is 'behind the times' and the movies out today are so much more advanced with special effects and computer generated images. I think that's part of why it should still be aired, to remind us of simplicity and how movies are still excellent without having all the added special effects. I have searched high and low to purchase a copy of this movie for my video library, but it is not available. I would love to see this movie aired again so all of us can re-live it's charm and hilarity!
AD
