It sounds nutty enough from the synopsis, but frankly I'd be surprised if even the most ardent cineastes get much joy out of "Man's Favorite Sport". Old Block plays a phony fishing tackle salesman, more interested in keeping his job than tackling girls. Admittedly when the girls on offer include an inanely empty-headed, accident-prone chatterbox of a brunette (Paula Prentiss), an equally twittery blonde (Maria Perschy) and a stuck-up redhead (Charlene Holt), who can blame Old Block for lack of interest?Fortunately there's a bit more stamina in the support cast led by Norman Alden's acquisitive "Indian". The color is also reasonably attractive. And it must be admitted that three or four scenes, especially two with "Carol", a spectacularly versatile bear, are mildly diverting. But much as we love our furry friend, the finnies and the principal bipeds -- the human cast and mostt particularly Old Block himself, leave us totally cold.

A very funny movie from Howard Hawks. It's a throwback to the screwball comedies of the 30s and 40s with Rock Hudson as a fishing "expert" roped into entering a fishing contest by loony PR woman Paula Prentiss. It turns out that Hudson is an expert on paper, having never even been near a lake, never mind having fished in one. It's all very goofy, fast paced and there's great chemistry between uptight Hudson and free-spirited Prentiss (who attempts to teach Hudson how to fish in some of the oddest ways). It's studio-bound to be sure, but it's stylish fun and features a very good supporting cast including John McGiver as Hudson's boss, Norman Alden (nearly stealing the film as John Screaming Eagle) and the fetching Maria Perschy as "Easy." The great music score is by Henry Mancini.

I'm not a film critic, just a 56 year old viewer; call me the common man that's not too common. I'll just use words that everyone understands, since I don't know all the others. What this film did for me is it brought back the feel of the late 50s / early 60s, you know, when there used to be a few morals left. Some of you may remember those days. You could see this throughout the whole movie, the way they talked, dressed and acted toward each other. Even the city and the cars and the mailboxes on the corner (remember those?) in the opening scene, everything was bright, clean and wholesome. The atmosphere at Lake Wakapougie(?) was clear and made you wish you were there too. Even in the lodge: No one had tattoos, no men were wearing earrings. Can you imagine that?! No men with long hair? No Mohawks? Is this legal?! No one weighed 350 pounds and looked like a World War 3 surviving shopper in Walmart. Just a nice, easy to follow, fun and relaxing movie complete with great background music that fit it perfectly, sweet and calm. What a contrast to what we have now. If the film were to be made now, Rock would probably have been a drug smuggler and would have had a long bedroom scene with everyone of the stars in the opening scene, complete with as much swearing as they could possibly have stuck in there just to make sure the movie would go over. I mean, they do have to sell movies, right?! Do I exaggerate? What do you think? This is the main reason I like this film so much. It's just a nice, sweet and wholesome film about a guy and girl who accidentally fall in love through a great setup. Yet the people aren't perfect, neither is the film. I haven't found a perfect one yet. The only semi-negatives I could find, were the obvious tie-attached-to-Easy scene, yet it was funny.(I missed how that happened until I backed up and watched it again...if you recall, people in the movies back then couldn't do that) also, there is a time sequence I didn't get. Abigail calls Roger at, I think, 2 in the morning, yet everyone is still up like it's 10PM at night! ... The guys at the bar who also have to be up in 3 hours for the competition, John Screaming Eagle... everybody except Roger. That's another thing I thought was a little strange although it added comedy to the film. John Screaming Eagle is always keeping an eye on Roger's 'happenings'. Even at 2AM? and no one is even yawning, they're raring to go like they all just got up! ha ha. I sure can't do that. Not at 2 in the morning. All in all though, what a great film. and yeah, I saw the other films the were mentioned, like "Bringing Up Baby". I'll take this one over that one, although I liked "Bringing Up Baby" as well. What made a lot of the older films great was great dialog, great direction, great story lines. grate acting and fresh ideas. This has almost entirely been replaced in today's movies with massive swearing, constant drugs, rotten personalities, sex, sex, sex. Yes, today's films are truly designed for today's people. I guess the studios still know what they're doing after all!

Only read the first paragraph if you don't want to read about the storyline. As funny as it gets. A screwball comedy with believable characters. Rock Hudson's character writes instructional fishing manuals but has never been fishing and doesn't know a hook from a sinker. Of course the time comes where he is invited to a fishing competition in which his bosses ego and personal reputation is at stake (and Rock's job). So he goes out to the fishing competition with one ridiculous thing happening after another. The big fish jumps into his boat and he wins the competition. The second story going on is this "triple A" chick who is played by Paula Prentiss and it's just as funny as the fishing part. More ridiculous dramas occur between them, Rock loses his fiancé' due to hilarious misunderstandings, falls in love with Paula Prentiss, and a happy ending. It's all a fun,immature fantasy. Rock Hudson played great, friendly, but masculine male roles, Paula Prentiss is hot and endearing and who couldn't fall in love with her? I sure did.