Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The worst depiction of fishing in the history of cinema?

The worst depiction of fishing in the history of cinema?

Anyone who's followed 1000 Words every Sunday knows that I am fascinated by Hollywood's portrayal of fishing. I am sometimes asked what the worst portrayal of fishing I've ever seen on TV or film.

I offer for evidence Roger Moore as The Saint in the 1963 episode "The Effete Angler." The plot is secondary to the actual action, but it revolves around Moore's character Simon Templar solving a crime in Miami by…fishing.


The Saint goes fishing with grizzled Miami captain O'Kevin.



Here he is soaking in the local angling lore...



Here the ship's mate hands the Saint a rig. Oh oh...



He's got a hook up! Fish on, Saint!



The Penn is burning line...



One thing about Roger Moore. Like Johnny Weismuller, you can always count on him being upstaged by stock footage.



Ah, Roger, I think you're holding the rod wrong...



Nope. Still upside down...



C'mon man! That fish will get away!



Stock footage alert! Real angler onto a fish...



And stock footage of a reel being used correctly...



Oh Roger…still with the reel?



Told you that you'd lose that fish…


So ends the worst fishing scene in the history of cinema. But fish still play an important role. No joke--this is where the criminals hide the stolen jewels.


Ah yes. The native salmonids of Miami, Florida.


Don't believe me? Check it out yourself:



So…anyone think of a WORSE depiction than this?

-- Dr. Todd

4 comments:

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  2. First of all I have a steadfast rule never to go fishing with anyone named "Patsy" unless they are of the feminine persuasion.

    My favorite part is where "Patsy" shrieks that the line is caught in the prop just as it breaks. Magically the marlin turns into a dolphin (perhaps Flipper) and swims away.

    Simon sure knows his stuff about fishing lines too. That 39 thread line would be equivalent to 108 pound test. You sure wouldn't want to reel hard against a 100 pound fish with 117 pound test.......hmmmmmmm

    The upside down reel business doesn't bother me to much however as Simon was probably used to fishing for tuna over in the England with an under the rod Hardy Fortuna reel. He looks to be the kind of guy that "gets around", just ask "Patsy".

    Thanks Todd! Made my day!

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  4. It is the most comfortable fishing machine you will ever fish on. It is fast, clean and tournament rigged. MARLIN FISHING MIAMI

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