See Your Doctor (1939) User Reviews

Benchley Prophetic In See Your Doctor

[CitizenCaine · 6/10 · 26 December 2009]

One of the benchmarks for whether or not a film stands the test of time is its applicability to contemporary times. Robert Benchley's See Your Doctor is a typically dry-humored example of his take on an issue or topic that differs in its treatment of the issue or topic from his contemporaries, yet it remains refreshingly contemporary. Benchley, once again plays Joseph H. Doakes, the common man in a fit of incredulity exceeded only by his charm and wit. Doakes is stung by an insect of some sort and is quickly ushered off by his brother-in-law to a doctor's office for possible treatment. Once at the office, Doakes is put through the paces by the nurse and then the doctor, played by Monty Woolley. The amusing short film is made all the more enjoyable by the obvious parallels, however rudimentary, to the tribulations of today's health care system. **1/2 of 4 stars.

Watchable Short from GWTW year

[charlytully · 6/10 · 5 July 2011]

. . . Or WIZARD OF OZ year, Or STAGECOACH year, etc. This may not be Robert Benchley's funniest short, but as salesman Joseph H. Doakes, suffering from a possible spider bite, he's half a hoot here. I think this is about a long enough comment for an eight-minute short, saying what needs to be said, but IMDb's automated ROBOCOP censors reject it as is as "too short." They would ban Mark Twain as too succinct, and perforate Oscar Wilde's credo of brevity being next to godliness, were either reviewer alive today. So, in the interest of having my "SEE YOUR DOCTOR" comment allowed, I will append my two cents worth on the 24 IMDb comments for the feature I viewed previously to said short, namely, VIGILANTE (II) (2008), which is one of the 8 worst pieces of garbage among the 493 films and shorts I've seen so far this year. To add insult to injury, ALL 24 reviews seem to be from personal friends and relatives of the Australian Gold Coast flick's cast ("star" Robert Diaz) and crew (writer\director Aash Aaron). These homers give VIGILANTE uniform ratings of 9 or 10, and are too obtuse to realize that their crowing about their relationships with the filmmakers pretty much invalidates their comments (which for the most part are so repetitive and lacking in facts they must double-space them to get around IMDb's ROBOCOP brevity censor programming).

Funny One-Reeler

[lzf0 · 30 July 2008]

Robert Benchley's droll sense of humor is on evidence in this fast one-reel farce. MGM's Benchley series began with Bob giving humorous lectures to the audience. By the late 1930s, plots were thrown into the mix. In this sketch, Benchley's brother-in-law insists that Bob visit a doctor after being bitten or stung by in insect in his garden. Instead of turning this into an exercise in frustration, Benchley laughs at the common human foibles. He doesn't need to participate in wild sight gags to get our laughs. Merely a look at the camera does the trick. This short shows Benchley at his undiluted best. Although he has made even better shorts, this one would be a good introduction to the humor of Benchley.

Benchley Gets Stung

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 18 June 2011]

According to Robert Benchley's introduction, it's national "Take Care Week" and time to take care of your health. Something bites Mr. Benchley (as Joseph H. Doakes) while he's gardening. Benchley thinks it's a common bee sting, but cigarette smoking brother-in-law Hobart Cavanaugh believes it might be a deadly black widow spider bite. The panicky men leave wife Helen MacKellar (as Mabel) home and rush to see doctor Monty Woolley. After getting off the telephone, Mr. Woolley calmly suggests, if he survives the sting, Benchley should have to have his tonsils taken out. Ouch…

**** See Your Doctor (12/16/39) Basil Wrangell ~ Robert Benchley, Hobart Cavanaugh, Monty Woolley, Claire Du Brey

They forgot to make it funny.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 28 December 2011]

I am surprised that IMDb doesn't mention it, but in the opening credits, the film is from an idea by 'Parkyurkarkis' (park your carcass)! It's a wonder they didn't notice this.

This is a Robert Benchley comedy short. It begins with him getting a bee sting but his brother-in-law thinks MAYBE it was actually a black widow spider bite! As a result, they rush him to the hospital and completely overreact. The doctor (Monty Woolley) doesn't seem terribly concerned.

This is not an especially good short--mostly because it feels like it's missing a punchline. With a decent idea for a story, it does absolutely NOTHING with it and wastes the talents of those involved. Sad, as I wanted to see more of Woolley--he was a wonderful actor.

Fair Benchley Short

[Michael_Elliott · 7 January 2010]

See Your Doctor (1939)

** (out of 4)

Minor Robert Benchley short has him playing your average guy who gets stung by a bee. He goes to ask his brother-in-law for something who then asks him if he's certain it wasn't a black widow that bit him. Benchley is well aware that it was a bee but soon the relative gets in his head so he's rushing to the doctor thinking it was the deadly black widow. This is really a one joke film as we get a small intro with Benchley giving a little speech and then we hit the "joke", which just isn't that funny. Even though the joke itself isn't that funny, the movie itself remains mildly entertaining thanks in large part to Benchley and his dry sense of humor. The banter between he and the brother-in-law will get a couple smiles but that's about it. This certainly isn't the best or worse short from Benchley so it might be a safe place to start for newbies so that they can get to see his brand of humor.