Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

mmallon4 Man's Favorite Sport? would have to be my favourite neo-screwball comedy (does such a term already exist or can I claim to have invented it?), and perhaps the last screwball directed by one of the original masters of the genre, Howard Hawks.The factor which by far most surprised me in Man's Favorite Sport? was Rock Hudson. My previous encounters with the actor left me unimpressed, leaving me classify him as one of classic Hollywood's duller leading men. However the fact that I not only enjoyed his performance in this film but found him hysterically funny was such a shock that I was demanding answers. Did Hudson acting abilities improve by 1964? Is he better than comedy than drama or had he just grown on me? It just goes to show that there are very few classic Hollywood stars who can't impress me in at least some small way or another, even if my previous impression of them where not very good. Paula Prentiss is also entering my books as a one hit wonder actress; I've yet to see her in another film in which she is as joyous and energetic as this with that comically imposing voice of hers. Being a semi remake of Hawk's Bringing Up Baby, the two leads could have just done impressions of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn but the avoid doing so and make the roles their own but like Grant and Hepburn their chemistry is on fire.This movie exemplifies in the early to mid 1960's aesthetic with its fashion, the cars and overall appearance showcasing the final days of old Hollywood glamour. I want to know who the set designer in this film was; the revolving bar alone has to be one of the most unabashedly 60's sets ever. Even the less "out there" sets such an office, or a fishing shop, have a certain beauty to them. The film's colorful visuals help give it the appearance of a live action cartoon, partly due to the fact that many of the outdoor scenes take place on obviously fake sets but then again isn't a live action cartoon one of the definitions of screwball comedy. I also don't normally go for those cheesy opening credit songs from the 50's and 60's often sang by the likes of Doris Day but this one is dam catchy.Unlike the manic intensity of its sister film Bringing Up Baby, Man's Favorite Sport? is surprising a very relaxing film to watch, aided by lake side resort setting and Henry Mancini's music score, which is so mellow. I just love the juvenile innocence of the gags present in this film, such as a bear riding on a motorcycle to many variations of William Powell's fishing scene from Libeled Lady. Likewise the common screwball comedy theme of crises of masculinity permeates the film. Hudson's Rodger Willoughby (a name which feels straight from a 1930's comedy) is an icon of masculinity from writing books about fishing, yet he is secretly a phony who has never fished in his life and completely fails at his attempts at his attempts at outdoor living while being made the foil of two hyperactive women. Man's Favorite Sport? shows by the 60's it was still possible to make these kinds of movies with the same velocity they had back in the 30's.

nimstic This movie is one of the finest comic films in my opinion and not surprisingly made by the super genius, Howard Hawks. The story is about Roger Willoughby who is a famous fishing expert having written a book about it, but ironically never fished in his life. The movie centres around a fishing competition where Roger has to participate thanks to his eccentric boss (the great John McGiver) who got convinced by Abigail Page (Paula Prentiss), PR exec at a rest house where the fishing competition takes place. What happens afterwards are a series of funny incidents, all sure to make you feel cheerful & rolling in laughter. Some comic scenes are very clever and very funny (I can't seem to find such funny movies these days), especially scenes of Roger trying to actually fish and those involving Mr. Phipps (Roger's client who learned fishing from him but never wanted to pay for $1,5 for it). Totally enjoyed the beautiful story and the lovable characters. I fell in love with Paula Prentiss, she's such a marvellous beauty... and so funny too. Her character exudes naiveté at the same time subtle evil vibes throughout. I can't even begin to compare her with some of the female comic actors in the business today. Rock Hudson is a perfect fit to the 'phoney' Roger and does a neat job till the end. Other characters Hawks builds are equally hilarious... I have a huge, long playlist and little time for movies, but I know for sure I am going to watch this movie again & again when I really want to cheer up. Love it! if you enjoy clever humour, with a light heart of course, this movie will certainly make you happy too. Go for it!

edwagreen Yes, there are a lot of laughs here as so-called fishing expert,Roger Willoughby, played with finesse by Rock Hudson, in his usual style, gets into all sorts of predicaments. The expert is drawn into a fishing contest at a resort owned by Paula Prentiss's father. From his first encounter with Prentiss over a parking space, she puts him into a series of situations that while humorous have predictable outcomes.Hudson shows humility at the end by confessing that he has never fished.John MacGyver, as his boss, is mainly funny, not so much because of his usual speech pattern, but rather because of the wig that he has on is always out of place.You know what the ending is going to be before half way through the film.

williwaw I have to admit I had a serious crush on Paula Prentiss during her days as a big star. Gloriously beautiful, sexy, with that great Texas accent Ms. Prentiss was a great sexy comedienne and this is likely her greatest role in Howard Hawks Man's Favorite Sport. Initially to be filmed at Paramount with Prentiss and Cary Grant, Paramount per legend refused to cast Paula Prentiss, so Howard Hawks took the project to Universal and cast Rock Hudson and Ms. Prentiss. Man's Favorite Sport? has top notch Universal production values and both stars play off well against each other. Paula Prentiss in an interview years later said she was speechless when introduced to Mr. Hudson as she claimed he was even better looking in person than he was on screen, and that Hudson's personal appearance was so great it was almost beyond comprehension. Mr Hudson does well in this film. This is a fine wacky comedy directed by a Master Director Howard Hawks and features Ms. Prentiss' finest performance. Paula Prentiss got and deserved equal star billing over the title with box office champ Rock Hudson. I for one am glad that Howard Hawks stood his ground and insisted on Mr. Prentiss who was loaned to Hawks and Universal Prentiss' from home studio MGMViva Paula Prentiss