As the swinging sixties were coming to an end, Don Knotts took his family friendly, reluctant hero persona a long way from Mayberry, as Abner Audubon Peacock the IV in Universal Pictures “M” rated The Love God? Knotts’ Abner is the editor of The Peacock, a struggling birdwatching magazine that has all but spent its last dollar, when a financial partnership is offered by Osborn Tremain (Edward O’Brien) to save the magazine. Unbeknownst to Abner, Tremain uses The Peacock as a “smut” magazine, which turns Abner into a First Amendment champion after a high-profile cause celebre court case. Savvy editor Lisa LaMonica (Anne Francis) capitalizes on the publicity and gives the magazine a Playboy like makeover – turning Abner into a Hugh Hefner esque available bachelor, complete with his own “Pussycats.” None of this sits well with his fiancé and her Minister father. Composer Vic Mizzy provides the catchy score for a swinging good time.
