What’s Up, Doc? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nerdy musicologist’s rock collection causes a series of increasingly chaotic events when a wacky girl, jewel thieves, and government spies all accidentally swap identical overnight bags, resulting in a San Francisco-sized mess.

🍿 What’s Up, Doc?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in San Francisco and a Chaotic Encounter

Mild-mannered musicologist Dr. Howard Bannister arrives in San Francisco with his controlling fiancée, Eunice Burns, to compete for a prestigious research grant. Their meticulous plans are immediately derailed by the whirlwind that is Judy Maxwell. Judy, a charming and unpredictable college dropout, quickly becomes infatuated with Howard, leading to a series of increasingly absurd encounters. Howard carries his igneous rocks in an identical red plaid overnight bag, leading to comical confusion.

The Case of the Confused Bags

Further complicating Howard’s already chaotic trip are several other individuals staying at the same hotel, each carrying an identical red plaid overnight bag. These bags contain a valuable collection of jewels, top-secret government documents, and, of course, Howard’s musical rocks. The inevitable mix-up of these bags sets off a chain reaction of slapstick events involving jewel thieves, government agents, and the increasingly flustered Dr. Bannister.

San Francisco Mayhem

As the chase for the correct bags intensifies, the movie erupts into a full-blown chase scene across San Francisco. Cars careen down the city’s famous hills, narrowly avoiding cable cars and pedestrians. The comedic timing is impeccable, with visual gags piling on top of one another. This culminates in a wild courtroom scene where all the players converge, leading to a farcical resolution of the bag mix-up.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Judy Maxwell (Barbra Streisand): A quirky and mischievous college dropout who relentlessly pursues the hapless Howard, causing chaos and confusion wherever she goes.
• Howard Bannister (Ryan O’Neal): A mild-mannered musicologist from Iowa whose life is turned upside down by the zany Judy Maxwell and a series of mistaken identities.
• Eunice Burns (Madeline Kahn): Howard’s uptight and controlling fiancée who becomes increasingly frustrated and unhinged by Judy’s interference.
• Hugh Simon (Kenneth Mars): A pompous and arrogant musicologist competing with Howard for the Larrabee Grant.
• Frederick Larrabee (Austin Pendleton): The eccentric benefactor who is hosting the musicologists convention and deciding who gets the research grant.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Judy Maxwell: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” – Judy says this famous line, leading to Howard’s hilarious disagreement about its logic.
• Eunice Burns: “I’m not ‘a’ Eunice Burns, I’m ‘the’ Eunice Burns!” – Eunice dramatically asserts her identity amidst the chaos of mistaken identities.
• Judy Maxwell: “Well, how much is it without Bufferin?” – Judy asks this when she and Howard are trying to settle their bill after destroying their hotel room
• Hugh Simon: “I’m Hugh!” – Hugh repeatedly says this creating much frustration for everyone when clarifying his identity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $66,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $66,006,455

💥 What’s Up, Doc? Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love What’s Up, Doc?! It’s one of those movies that can always lift my spirits. Streisand is fantastic as Judy, and the chase scene through San Francisco is legendary. I crack up every time Madeline Kahn screams. The chaos is infectious, and I can’t help but smile from ear to ear every time I watch it. This is a must-see classic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic screwball comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fast-paced, witty humor”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted and entertaining movie”
  • “Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence and cartoonish antics.”
  • “Some suggestive dialogue but nothing explicit.”
  • “Generally family-friendly with no offensive material.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “What’s Up, Doc? is a loving homage to the screwball comedies of the 1930s, filled with witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and memorable performances from Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal.
• New York Times: “Peter Bogdanovich’s What’s Up, Doc? is a madcap, hilarious romp that captures the spirit of classic screwball comedies. Streisand shines as the wacky Judy Maxwell, creating non-stop pandemonium.
• Variety: “A genuinely funny film with perfect timing all the way, thanks to direction from Peter Bogdanovich. Streisand and O’Neal make a great team, backed by a fantastic supporting cast.

Audience Reactions

The San Francisco chase scene is iconic and hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s fast-paced humor, brilliant physical comedy, and outstanding performances.

Madeline Kahn’s debut performance is unforgettable.: Many admire the clever writing and constant flow of one-liners.

Overall Consensus: What’s Up, Doc? is a beloved screwball comedy known for its witty dialogue, chaotic energy, and standout performances, making it a timeless classic.

Awards

1. Writers Guild of America Award (Best Original Screenplay – Comedy)- 1973

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Peter Bogdanovich originally wanted to cast Cary Grant in the Ryan O’Neal role, as a direct homage to ‘Bringing Up Baby’.”
• “Barbra Streisand reportedly disliked the script and didn’t want to make the film, predicting it would be a flop.”
• “The famous chase scene through San Francisco was filmed without permits, adding to the chaotic and spontaneous feel.”
• “Madeline Kahn’s role as Eunice Burns was her first major film role, launching her successful comedy career.”
• “The film’s opening and closing credits, designed as pages of a book being turned, were a stylistic choice inspired by classic literature.”

🖥️ How to Watch What’s Up, Doc??

What’s Up, Doc? is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be purchased through major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What’s Up, Doc?, you might like these similar films:

• Bringing Up Baby (1938): Direct inspiration for ‘What’s Up, Doc?’, sharing a similar screwball dynamic and plot structure.
• It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963): Features a large ensemble cast and a chaotic, cross-country chase for a hidden treasure, matching the frantic energy.
• The Pink Panther (1963): Shares the element of slapstick comedy with a bumbling protagonist getting into absurd situations.
• Game Night (2018): Modern comedy with mistaken identities, a fast-paced plot, and unexpected criminal elements, appealing to similar tastes.

🛒 What’s Up, Doc? Related Products

• What’s Up, Doc? (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray edition with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. Experience the film in pristine quality.
• Bringing Up Baby (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A brand new, restored 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
• Madeline Kahn: Being the Music: A Life: A biography dedicated to the life and career of Madeline Kahn, celebrating her memorable performance in What’s Up, Doc? and beyond.
• Vintage Style Plaid Overnight Bag: A stylish and durable plaid overnight bag reminiscent of the iconic bags in the movie. Perfect for travel or everyday use.

🎧 Soundtrack

What’s Up, Doc? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You’re the Top” – performed by Barbra Streisand & Ryan O’Neal
• “As Time Goes By” – performed by Barbra Streisand

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Barbra Streisand – What’s Up Doc Bloopers

Ever wonder what it’s like on a movie set? This blooper reel is hilarious! Watch Barbra Streisand and the rest of the cast crack up during filming; it really shows off their personalities.

How not to write a query letter

Struggling to write a query letter? This clip uses a scene from What’s Up Doc? to hilariously demonstrate what *not* to do. Trust me, you’ll laugh and learn a thing or two – it’s a great example!

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