Rating: 
Summary: Too Many "Best Lines"
Review: This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and one of the funniest --consistently funniest-- that i've ever seen.
One of my favorite things to do when watching a film is to try to find the best line, usually the funniest or cleverest. This movie has too many to choose from, so I have to make a list:
"How much is it without buffering?" (Howard)
"Oh, yes. I think I read a monogram on that." (musicologist)
"Well, there's not much to see, actually. We're inside a Chinese dragon." (Howard)
"Condolences." (Judy)
"I don't know who he is, but I hate him." (Judy)
"Oooh, what a shame." (Mrs. Van Hoskins)
"You're up-side-down, sir." (Rudy, the headwaiter)
"Yes! No! Wait a minute!!" (Howard)
"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard." (Howard)
"As you know, snakes live in mortal fear of...uh...tile." (Fritz)
And the list goes on. But, sorry, if you want context, you just have to see the movie. Pay attention, though. They go by really quick.
Rating:
Summary: A gem of a film!!
Review: I remember seeing "What's Up, Doc?" as a kid in a drive-in theatre and laughing uproariously. Later, as an adult, I bought the video and wore it out; the movie still hasn't lost it's charm. I've also introduced many of my friends to the film, but one consequence of that is that my tape is now faded and fuzzy. God bless whoever got this movie onto DVD!!If you've somehow missed this film ... stop reading, turn off your computer, go to the store and buy it. (Don't rent it; you'll want to watch it more than once.) I mean it. Go now! I'm not a Streisand fan, but I sure make an exception in this film. She's fantastic! Her zany energy just pours off the screen, her timing and delivery are top notch, and her chemistry with Ryan O'Neal is simply unbelievable. And O'Neal ... is awesome. You might not think of him as an actor who could so ably take on the role of the boring, distracted, absent-minded professor, but man! he owns the role. From his opening shot straight through to the end of the film, he's simply wonderful. And if Streisand's cheerful nuttiness and O'Neal's goofy, sweet seriousness aren't enough for you, there's the inimitable Madeline Kahn in her first role, owning every scene she's in ... 'til Liam Dunn shows up as the judge at the end, that is. The dialogue sparkles; why aren't more people writing dialogue like this these days? There should be a law. The comedic timing is impeccable. The story is lunacy, but it's sold whole-heartedly ... and the lack of a score (other than Streisand's rendition of "You're the Top" to open and close the film, along with a brief snippet of "As Time Goes By" during the film) makes the whole thing seem almost believable, somehow. This movie is a gem; I can watch it over and over. The DVD is crisp and clean, looking like it was filmed last week ... a rarity for some early '70's films. The sound quality is excellent; nuances that were lost on my video tape are restored here. Streisand's commentary is generally unilluminating, but Bogdanovich provides some wonderful thoughts and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. All in all, an excellent release. One minor, tiny little flaw: at the very end of the film, with Howard and Judy on the plane, my VHS version shows Judy batting her eyes, then a cut to Howard ... a cut back to Judy for a lovely pregnant pause ... and finally the return to Howard, who delivers his deadly comeback. The timing on that, as with the rest of the movie, is perfection. But in my DVD, Judy batts her eyes, and we cut to Howard ... who delivers his line after only a short pause. There's a missing bit there in the middle. YES, it's a terribly minor quibble ... but when you monkey with a classic and throw off the comedic timing, a guy has to wonder who would do such a thing. That's really my only quibble. 5 stars anyway. (Have you bought this DVD yet?! Get going!!)
Rating:
Summary: The new DVD is great!!
Review: OK, this is one of my all-time favorite films, just so you know where I am coming from...I wanted to comment on the new DVD edition for those of you wondering whether to buy it. The print is FANTASTIC, very bright, crisp and clear...the best image I have ever seen of this film. And it's enhanced for widescreen TVs, so you get a great screen-filling picture. The scene-specific commentary from Barbra Streisand is a bit of a disappointment. She doesn't have much to say, other than repeating "Oh, that's funny!" many times. In fact, she sounds like she is eating while making one comment and almost comes across like someone who is watching the film for the very first time. The feature-length commentary by Peter Bogdonovich is GREAT!! Much trivia and behind-the-scenes discussion, and he sounds like he really enjoyed doing it. An absolute MUST-HAVE for fans. RECOMMENDED!
Rating:
Summary: "Howww-aaa-rdd I'm Going to Start Co-uuu-nntting!!!!!!"
Review: When writing a review for a movie like "What's Up Doc?" I have to immediatly reach for a thesaurus to help come up with a vocablary list, that has the same meaning as words like 'hilarious' and 'wacky'. For Director, Peter Bogdanovich has created a side-splittingly, funny movie, that pays homage to the classic 'screwball' comedies ("Bringing Up Baby", "The Awful Truth", "All About Eve") of the thirties and fourties. In the film, we meet absent-minded, Dr.Howard Bannister (Ryan O'Neal), who has come to a San Fransico musicologist convention with his obnoxiously shrill, fiance', Eunice (Madeline Kahn) to compete for a $20,000 scientific grant. Unfortuntely he meets up with the sexy yet daffy, Judy Maxwell (Barbra Stiesand), who seems to be a 'force in nature', both knowingly and unknowingly able to create man (or women) made disasters, wherever she goes.The two get involved in a ridiculously complex plot, where identical tote bags containing jewels, top secret government plans, igneous rocks and women's underwear get switched and stolen by thieves, secret agents and various other parties. But you know what? The whole tote bag plot really dosn't matter. Its just a Mcguffin (or excuse) to get the leads together to spout the Marx Brothers-like dialogue and watch the ingenious car chases and slapstick disasters that befall the characters.Director Peter Bogdanovich has crafted a movie which almost brilliantly borders on being a live action, Warner Brothers cartoon. The film makes references to many past comic masters such as the Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy, Buster Keaton , Cary Grant and of course Bugs Bunny.The script (by Robert Benton, David Newman & Buck Henry) is well written containing razor sharp dialogue.There are so many great qouatable lines, that I wouldn't know where to start! The casting of this film is sheer perfection. Ryan O'Neal makes a great straight man to Barbra Streisand's crazy, comic persona. Streisand is at the height of her abilities playing a part, where she is both sexy, luminance and very funny. One moment she's cooing an old song standard in O'Neal's ear, the next moment she's smashing a pie in the face.Her charisma totally lights up on screen.The only actor, who just about upstages her is comic actress, Madeline Kahn. In this movie, she sets the standard for protraying, the most annoying and shrewish fiance' in film history. With her whining like phrasing she makes even the most innocent dialogue sound hilarious.With each script line, that comes out of her mouth, you just want to roll on the floor laughing. Kahn is pure comic perfection.Also, look for great comic character roles from actors, Kenneth Mars and Austin Pendleton. The DVD to this movie is wonderfully remastered with a good clear picture.Extras include a behind the scenes featurette, a very interesting trailer and scene specific commentary from Barbra, herself. Bogdanovich provides an excellent, feature length commentary, that is extremely interesting. For an evening of great screwball/slapstick comedy, I highly recommend this delightfully, wacky film!
Rating:
Summary: DOC Delights
Review: I love DVDs. Inevitably, whenever I watch a film that I have not seen in a few years, it ends up looking gorgeous on DVD. The clarity and colors in the DOC DVD are such an improvement over the VHS tape, which, in retrospect, seemed faded and unclear. While watching DOC, I immediately noticed that the Hotel Bristol's hallways have a blue and yellow color scheme as well as that tacky blue wallpaper from the 70's that everyone had in their bathrooms! Barbra and Ryan O'Neal look tan and gorgeous (Barbra's blue eyes are astounding!). WHAT'S UP DOC?, despite being 30 years old, looks very good in its DVD reincarnation. The sound is mono, as it was in 1972. DOC proves to be an entertaining comedy after all these years, too. I still laugh out loud at this film. The dialogue by Buck Henry is so witty, with fast quips and word-play. Streisand fans can usually quote their favorite line from WHAT'S UP DOC?. Mine is this exchange between Barbra's character, Judy, and the villain of the piece, Hugh Simon (played by the brilliant Ken Mars): Judy: Did anyone ever tell you that you were very, very sexy? Hugh: Well, actually, no. Judy: They never will. Several details jumped out at me when I watched DOC tonight. First, Bogdanovich used the hotel elevator like a kind of 1930's jukebox. Every time the elevator doors opened, a 30's song (with "Muzak" orchestration) is playing -- very funny! Second, Barbra and Ryan do so many of their own stunts in this film. I was quite worried for Ryan during the chase scene when he jumped on top of the pizza delivery bicycle -- today the movie insurance people would probably demand a stunt double! Also, Madeline Kahn was so good. DOC was her first movie, and she was a funny, quirky presence in it. Madeline Kahn can go to comedy heaven on her hilarious whimpers in this movie. Her character, Eunice ("Eunice? That's a person named Eunice?") was dogmatic and cowardly all at once. She's brilliant, and it's sad she left us so soon. Streisand has her own "scene specific" commentary as an audio bonus on the WHAT'S UP DOC disc. What this means is that there is a special menu option for the Streisand commentary. When you select it, the DVD plays about four scenes from DOC with Barbra's comments on the audio track. The commentary plays straight through and you do not have to do anything but listen to (and watch) the scenes being discussed. It's funny to hear Barbra's memories of the film. The commentary is very candid - Barbra obviously has not seen the film in a while; she forgets how the plate glass gag works, and is surprised when it happens. "That's funny," she keeps saying. Barbra sounds like she's eating sometimes (like during the Delilah interview - Barbra enjoys munching!). Barbra reveals some nice trivia: the pizza delivery boy is Ryan O'Neal's brother; the woman on the plane beside Barbra at the end is O'Neal's mother; Frank Marshall (now a famous Spielberg producer; he was assistant to the Producer on DOC) plays the man who tosses his shovel by the sand truck during the big chase. Barbra comments about her satin pantsuit (stretch satin!) and seems disappointed that her pink lip color does not register on home video (always interested in the details!). Bogdanovich's own commentary is interesting (although I have to admit I have not heard it all yet). He says that the eye-fluttering by Barbra after reading the "love means never having to say you're sorry" line was inspired by an old Lauren Bacall film. WHAT'S UP DOC is a screwball comedy updated for a new generation of film-goers. Barbra's own strong personality and the age of feminism are nicely woven into the old-fashioned story. What's most important in DOC, of course, is that the characters speak in the fast, old-movie fashion. Their motivations are pure and comedic (i.e. get the bag! impress the benefactor! charm the guy!). Bogdanovich has studied his screwball comedies and directs DOC with a masterful hand. It is cinematic in the screwball tradition, yet fresh.
Rating:
Summary: As comfortable as cashmere...
Review: When a comedy is done right on screen, it often has a very long life beyond its initial release. Such is the case with this wonderful movie. From the moment at the beginning when Streisand hums and sighs and launches into a blazing version of Cole Porter's "You're the Top", the film is a funny, frenetic, comfortable delight that is as cozy as a pair of flannel pajamas. Everyone here is working at the top of their form, and the fact that it looks effortless shows just how accomplished and talented they all are. Barbra looks slim, tan, loose, and very sexy; Ryan O'Neal is perfect as Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby", and Madeline Kahn is just perfect. There are so many moments that are memorable, it's hard to name them all. Peter Bogdanovich brought it all together so beautifully, with such style, verve, and loud-out-loud humor, you'll be in heaven for 90 minutes. Hollywood romantic comedy doesn't get any better than this. The DVD picture is bright, crisp, and letterboxed. What a treat for us all!
Rating:
Summary: Madeline Kahn steals this moment
Review: I agree with other reviewers, unlike most of her films after this Streisand is watchable and Ryan O'Neill is engaging, but Madeline Kahn should have been arrested for grand larceny (think the classic court room scene) she steals every scene she is in! Hard to pick a favorite scene or classic line -"I am not a Eunice Burns, I AM THE EUNICE BURNS!" The 70's wigs and fashion only add to the charm of this offbeat character.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Adult Comedy Ever
Review: What's Up Doc is one of the funniest films ever made--possibly the greatest "adult" comedy ever! Why is it "adult?" Because it doesn't pander to the lower, R-rated nature of today's teen audiences. Instead, through charm and old-fashioned clever writing the film is a joy for adults to watch. Streisand once said that she regretted the film, yet her commentary accompanies the DVD release. Maybe she realizes that the audiences saw in the film something she didn't recognize when she made it: the movie is built on her playfulness and vulnerability. Because she was willing to let the director shoot it HIS way and not HER way, it ends up being the funniest Streisand film ever made. A classic that can be watched over and over again, with one of the best supporting casts in a modern movie. Why isn't Hollywood making movies like this anymore?
Rating:
Summary: Really Fun
Review: I think this film is pretty good overall. It's a seventies version of a thirties screwball comedy like "Bringing Up Baby" that stars Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal and is directed by Peter Bogdonavich. Babs plays a brillant yet unfocused coed named Judy Maxwell who falls head over heals for stuffy yet handsome professor, Howard Bannister (Ryan O'Neal). Set primarily in San Francisco, the movie offers a series of interlocking plots in which a diverse group of characters end up on an extended chase involving the old convention of identical, switched luggage and contraband. To give the story the energy that it needs, director Bogdonavich spins the story around some really well-choreographed and executed slap stick and chase scenes through a parade in Chinatown, and a bicycle ride up and down San Francisco's winding streets. The film is definitely a formula, but it really is fun and it really works! I don't think that Barbra Streisand has ever been funnier or prettier on screen than in this film. She has real chemistry with O'Neal, and works well with the sterling supporting cast including Kenneth Mars and Austin Pendleton. Especially notable is the late, great Madeline Kahn cast as Howard's nerdy girlfriend Eunice. She is as funny as Barbra, and really fabulous in what was her film debut. I remember reading that Madeline had commented that Barbra was very closed and distant to her during the making of the film. Maybe Barbra didn't like the competition? For Barbra fans in particular, at one point, she sings a line or two of "As Time Goes By" and she and O'Neal sing a version of "You're the Top" by Cole Porter over the closing credits.
Rating:
Summary: If Youen't watced this, you're missing out!
Review: When my mom frst wanted me to see this ,movie she told me about the part with the bycicle ride inside the chinese dragon through San Diego. She gtold me that her an a friend had gone to see the movie in the theaters and when that part came on, my mom dropped a huge bag of M'n'Ms and let them roll all over the floor because she was laughing so hard!
When she finally got me to watch it, I was thouroughly prepared to have to sit through one of those bvoring "old movies" as my generation calls them. I expected to be bored. Boy was I mistaken!
The charactors are so hillarious I could hardly contain myself! Unis is the best annoying fiance who has ever been invented, Judy (Barabara Streisand)is a jinks with a apital J, and Howard Banister (Ryan O' Niel),or Steve as Judy calls him,is a stuffed shirt musicologist.
To make it even better, the whole part about Judy messing up Howards life is surounding by a backstory involving four matching travel bags. One is Howards, one carries jewels, one carried secret government documents and the last belong to Judy.
This is one of my favorite movie of all time!!!
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