What's Up, Doc? (1972)

The accidental mix-up of four identical plaid overnight bags leads to a series of increasingly wild and wacky situations.

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

Buck Henry (screenplay), David Newman (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Madeline Kahn

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbra Streisand	...	Judy Maxwell
Ryan O'Neal	...	Howard Bannister
Madeline Kahn	...	Eunice Burns
Kenneth Mars	...	Hugh Simon
Austin Pendleton	...	Frederick Larrabee
Michael Murphy	...	Mr. Smith
Philip Roth	...	Mr. Jones (as Phil Roth)
Sorrell Booke	...	Harry
Stefan Gierasch	...	Fritz
Mabel Albertson	...	Mrs. Van Hoskins
Liam Dunn	...	Judge Maxwell
John Hillerman	...	Hotel Manager
George Morfogen	...	Headwaiter
Graham Jarvis	...	Bailiff
Randy Quaid	...	Professor Hosquith

Storyline

Two researchers have come to San Francisco to compete for a research grant in Music. One seems a bit distracted, and that was before he meets her. A strange woman seems to have devoted her life to confusing and embarassing him. At the same time a woman has her jewels stolen and a government whistle blower arrives with his stolen top secret papers. All, of course have the same style and color overnight bag.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | car accident | man wears eyeglasses | jewellery | hotel room | 

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Taglines:

A screwball comedy. Remember them?

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the big chase scene, a man is chased by a large amount of trashcans. This is a homage to Buster Keaton's short "Seven Chances".

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Goofs

Throughout the film Howard strikes several rocks with tuning forks, and then listens to the tuning fork as if he's expecting a different tone when he hits different rocks. Tuning forks are made to resonate at a fixed pitch, so no matter what object is struck with the fork, it will always sound the same.

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Quotes

Judy: Well, this last time was not my fault.
Howard: What happened?
Judy: Nothing, nothing, really. It was just a little classroom, it sort of burned down.
Howard: Burned down?
Judy: Well, blew up actually.
Howard: Political activism?
Judy: Chemistry major.
Howard: I see.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy (1994)

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Soundtracks

You're the Top
by Cole Porter
Performed by Barbra Streisand (uncredited) and Ryan O'Neal (uncredited)

User Reviews

The most fun I've ever had in front of the TV set!

I think this film is the funniest movie I have ever seen. No matter how many times I see it, I always find surprisingly fresh and completely hilarious. Barbra Streisand's performance is the centerpiece of the whole film. She simply glows with warmth, sexiness, and humor. There isn't a moment when we don't find her completely believable. Ryan O'Neal adds a great physical presence and is gloriously restrained. The film also contains some great supporting turns from Ken Mars, Liam Dunn, and especially Madeline Kahn, who nearly steals the movie in her film debut.

On a scale of 10, WHAT'S UP, DOC? receives a perfect 10!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Glimpse of Tiger

Filming Locations:

1000 Bush St. San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$66,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$66,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Saticoy Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1