Hello Down There

Hello Down There' was a fun, campy adventure. The movie was a cross between `Lost in Space' and the `Partridge Family' but with lots of water, a predecessor of `Sea Quest DSV'. The plot was about a family who lived at the bottom of the ocean and the adventures and friends they made, both human and aquatic, specifically a dolphin. The songs were lively and fun for kids to sing. No `R' rating here. Several well known stars participated in the movie, such as Ken Berry, Richard Dreyfuss, Merv Griffin, Janet Leigh, Roddy McDowall, Lee Meredith, Charlotte Rae, and Tony Randall. I find `Hello Down There' to be a fond, fun memory from my childhood, and would love to see it released on DVD as a family classic film.

Sigh. I really loved this movie as a kid!! It aired once on the Family Channel (now it's PAX) and then I lost the VHS or taped over it entirely. I recently found a really crappy version on Videobeat.com that is so fuzzy that it's not even worth watching it. It really isn't worth the price you pay for it either as some guy just recorded it from his own VHS recording so you know how that goes. But if you are really desperate like I was to hear "GLUB" again and to relive some happier times, then try Videobeat.com. I wish they would release this movie on DVD so that everyone can share the magic of Glub and the house under the sea. Sure, the acting is campy and the story line is lame, but the music makes it much better (even though they are lip singing and not even playing their instruments). Plus, you gotta love a Richard Dreyfuss film!

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??

It amazes me how many future "stars" are in this movie. In this day and age it might seem rather silly but I remember the movie well. My siblings also remember it with fondness.

I remember seeing this movie at the Theater back in '69 '70. I'd love to see it again. I saw Richard Dreyfus on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jay played a small clip from the movie. Dreyfus seemed embarrassed and muttered something to the effect that he was trying to quash all copies of this movie. I don't think it has been released to video.