Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)

53% of users liked it
(99 ratings)

Something seems fishy when a married man finds new adventure and romance in this comic fantasy. Arthur Peabody (William Powell) is a slightly stuffy businessman from Boston who after turning fifty finds himself suffering from a full-fledged midlife crisis. On the advice of his doctor, Peabody and… More Something seems fishy when a married man finds new adventure and romance in this comic fantasy. Arthur Peabody (William Powell) is a slightly stuffy businessman from Boston who after turning fifty finds himself suffering from a full-fledged midlife crisis. On the advice of his doctor, Peabody and his wife Polly (Irene Hervey) head to the Caribbean for a restful vacation. One evening, Peabody decides to do some fishing, and he pulls in a highly unexpected catch -- a beautiful mermaid named Lenore (Ann Blythe). Peabody takes the mysterious creature home with him (keeping her in a backyard pond for safekeeping), but while he soon becomes infatuated with Lenore, she's quite shy around others, refusing to let people see her except for the tip of her tail, so few believe his story about the big one he's reeled in. Makeup whiz Bud Westmore designed the special mermaid costuime for Ann Blythe; keep an ear open for the song "The Caribbees", co-written for the movie by Johnny Mercer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Irving Pichel
Written By: Nunnally Johnson
Genres: Romance, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 11, 1948 Wide

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Minor bit of fluff beneath William Powell's talents.
nefnie l

In this midlife crisis fantasy film, William Powell plays a married man turning 50, falling in love with a much younger woman. Nothing new here, except for the fact she's a mermaid. What could have been a comedy along the lines of Incredible Mr. Limpet, this film failed to come… More
In this midlife crisis fantasy film, William Powell plays a married man turning 50, falling in love with a much younger woman. Nothing new here, except for the fact she's a mermaid. What could have been a comedy along the lines of Incredible Mr. Limpet, this film failed to come anywhere close. Even the great Powell seemed to be bored, as he lacks his usual charm and energy. I had such high expectations for this film.
Henrik S

Is it just me or does anyone else find the prospect over late middle aged William Powell pursuing an innocent your mermaid rather disturbing ? I watched the movie and expected some sort of screwball comedy about a man trying to hide a mermaid, dodging therapists and his wife etc., but… More
Is it just me or does anyone else find the prospect over late middle aged William Powell pursuing an innocent your mermaid rather disturbing ? I watched the movie and expected some sort of screwball comedy about a man trying to hide a mermaid, dodging therapists and his wife etc., but all I got was a man sexually obsessed with a young and innocent girl and forcing her into kissing him etc. It may sound like a great and serious character study but believe me, it was supposed to be a comedy and comes out totally wrong. No wonder that is is hard to find a DVD of this one, it is utterly disturbing and not funny in the least, I did not chuckle once nor was I amused or entertained. Stay away from this mess of a film, especially if you are irritated by old rapists.