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.

SimonJack Rock Hudson and Doris Day made a great box office team for comedy romances. But, Rock could also do comedy quite well with other co-stars. In this case, it's Paula Prentiss. Only, the theme is reversed in this film. Rock is the pursuer of Doris in their films. Here, it's Prentiss who is pursuing Hudson. Form the very start – the title of the film, one has as inkling of the fun that is about to get underway. The name, "Man's Favorite Sport?" ends with a question mark. So, is it fishing that the cover and plot otherwise lead one to believe? Or is it something else? Again, the opening credits and song give it away. So, all the viewer has to do is sit back and enjoy this wonderful comedy romance. A lot happens at Lake Wakapoogee when sporting goods salesman and how-to fishing author, Roger Willoughby (Hudson), must join the lake's annual fishing contest. And it's all funny. The hijinks are all at Rock's expense, and he shows that he can play that end of comedy every bit as well as on the dishing out side. Prentiss is Abigail Page, public relations agent for the lake lodge. She is very good in her role with her not so subtle come on to Willoughby. Toss in a fine cast of some fishing impresarios and friends, and it's one fine funny film. This is good, clean fun for the whole family.

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!

Karl Self Man's Favorite Sport? was intended as Hawks' homage to his own 1938 screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby" with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, which I unfortunately absolutely didn't enjoy. And Man's Favorite Sport? starts unpromisingly, with Abigail Page (Paula Prentiss) and an unexplained German girl with the somewhat deceptive nickname "Easy" (Maria Perschy) girl-ganging up on Roger Willoughby (Rock Hudson). Fortunately the movie then pulls out all stops and becomes an unabashed showboat for Hollywood's dreamcouple Hudson and Prentiss. I've always liked Prentiss and she really shines here (although she's a bit too brassy for her persona); I hadn't seen much from Rock Hudson so far but I can't really blame women (and quite a few men, apparently) for swooning over him -- oh, he's so boyish, so demure, and yet so manly when the situation calls for it! And he always falls into the water and then needs to get out of his clothes with a frequency that was hitherto more characteristic of tacky Bollywood productions.I have profited from Hudson's performance in learning a lot about what women want. It's certainly more entertaining, and more insightful, than reading books on how to attract women from self-styled wannabe Casanovas.Well, the Hudson-Prentiss romance is the movie's forte, and it builds a tolerably entertaining story around it. It also curiously starts off with some sexy sport images that seem to be a generation ahead, and ends with a black-and-white scene which is designed to look like it was shot a generation or two ago.Harmless fun.