HELLO DOWN THERE is a twee and annoying Disney-style family adventure film about an ordinary American family who relocate to an undersea home in order to try life out. The inspiration is undoubtedly VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA mixed with LOST IN SPACE in the depiction of a suburban family in fish-out-of-water situations (no pun intended). Directed by a couple of underwater experts who add a little undersea photography for interest, this is generally a very middling and dated type of production that's far too wholesome for its own good. Tony Randall is the eccentric professor husband with the annoying character, while Janet Leigh does the best she can with the frustrated housewife role. Roddy McDowall and a boyish Richard Dreyfuss also appear. The appearance of some trained dolphins and a seal add to the fun a little, but otherwise this is forgettable fare with cheesy scripting and hackneyed plotting.

I well remember the malaise the words 'An Ivan Tors Production' used to instil in me as a kid; and he, I'm sure - rather than director Jack Arnold - was the defining creative force behind this excruciating misfire.

It has two enormously attractive leads, of whom Janet Leigh was never more charming. (Had she ever worn a wetsuit in this tripe it might have earned it an extra star, but she didn't so it doesn't.) And that music!! It even boasts a song called 'Hey Little Goldfish', which they sing again and again!!!

This movie was released the year I was born. I was privilege to it some years later as a weekend movie. I have long since tried to find it on VHS. I've even put my wife, (who was 13 at release) on the hunt for the movie. The movie had so many realistic(now) properties in it. Then, it was truly unconceivable of a family living under the sea. I can still hear the song in my head after all these years. Hopefully I'll find this movie to add to my collection. Its definitely a must see with the kids. Can anyone at that time actually believe that we could live under water. I can only say its like the Jetsons leave their high rise and take the plunge into the ocean. The creators had a great for-sight into the future. Who knows, even now; someone may bring up the idea again for a sitcom. Hmmmmmmmm.