What's Up, Doc? (1972)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Barbra Streisand was never more likable than in this energetic, often hilarious screwball farce from director Peter Bogdanovich.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Judy Maxwell
as Howard Bannister
as Eunice Burns
as Hugh Simon
as Frederick Larrabe
as Harry
as Fritz
as Mrs. Van Hoskins
as Mr. Smith
as Bailiff
as Judge
as Mr. Jones
as Mr. Kaltenborn
as Rudy, the Headwaiter
as Prof. Hosquith
as Arresting Officer
as Banquet Receptionist
as Delivery Boy
as Room-Service Waiter
as Jewel Thieve
as Jewel Thieve
as Jewel Thieve
as Druggist
as Jones' Driver
as Mrs. Hosquith
as Musicologist
as Musicologist
as Head
as Larrabee's Butler
as Party Guest
as Eunice's Cabdriver
as Smith's Cabdriver
as Airport Cabdriver
as Airport Driver
as Skycap
as Painter on Roof
as Ticket Seller
as Banquet Official
as Elderly Lady on Plane
as Waiter in Hall
as Pizza Cook
as Painter
as Airport Taxi Driver
as Waiter in Hall
as Mr. Jones
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Critic Reviews for What's Up, Doc?
All Critics (39) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (4) | DVD (2)
The result is a comedy made by a man who has seen a lot of movies, knows all the mechanics, and has absolutely no sense of humor.
This picture is a total smash.
A homage to Hollywood screwball comedy that by and large gets its pace and cartoon/slapstick timings right.
The strength of a movie like this, of course, is that you don't have to believe too much for too long, because there's something else happening.
Not the least of Bogdanovich's triumphs is his success in scaling down Miss Streisand's superstar personality to fit the dimensions of farce.
The busy script by Buck Henry, Robert Benton, and David Newman keeps things moving, but the spirit of pastiche keeps this romp from truly rivaling its sources.
Audience Reviews for What's Up, Doc?
Four suitcases, one with jewels, one with secret documents, one with rocks, and one with clothes, cause goofy characters to scramble for possession. What's Up, Doc? is a fun light-hearted farce that succeeds because Barbara Streisand can be quite charming and Ryan O'Neal has a good, dry, stone-faced delivery. The final moment of the film -- "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard" -- is hilarious only for those who know O'Neal's career. The film fails in other areas. Judy's motivations are mysterious; "You're cute" isn't enough justification for me. Likewise, all the other interesting parties flit and run around like idiots, but their motivations are never very clear. Overall, as farces go, this one isn't bad, but ultimately, What's Up, Doc? is easily dismissed.
Super Reviewer
A kooky stranger in the shape of Barbra Streisand attaches herself to a stuffy music professor and through a series of coincidences become involved in a plot to steal a case of priceless jewels and some secret government files. What's Up Doc? is one of those kinds of comedies that busts a gut to be quirky and likeable, but in its attempt to emulate the effortlessly amusing "screwball" comedies of the 1940s it falls rather short. It actually seems rather more dated than the films it is clearly trying to copy (Bringing Up Baby being the most obvious influence) and the chemistry between a very lost looking Ryan O'Neill and Streisand is glaring in its absence; he just comes across as a joyless prig and her fascination with him is almost as bemusing as his seemingly instant change of heart where it comes to his romantic interest in her. The humour is in the usual formulaic farce of mistaken identities, pie-throwing and characters constantly running in and out of identical doors and it all seems rather tired and try-hard. Occasionally mildly amusing, but Neil Simon did this kind of thing with a lot more wit.
Super Reviewer
Energetic screwball comedy that resurrect the genre from 30's hilarious pictures and pay a homage to Warner Bros. cartoons.
Super Reviewer
What's Up, Doc? Quotes
| Eunice Burns: | Howard, why does she call you Steve? |
| Howard Bannister: | Eunice, I have no idea. |
| Eunice Burns: | Howard, why does she call you Steve? |
| Mr. Kaltenborn: | "I'm the manager of what's left of the hotel." |
| Mr. Kaltenborn: | I'm the manager of what's left of the hotel. |
| Judge Maxwell: | Aw! You made me smash my lifesavers! |
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