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What's Up, Doc? ReviewsRating: 5 - What's Up, Doc? is comedy at it's very best! What's up, Doc?" defined Barbara Streisand and director Peter Bogdanovich. Unfortunately, they didn't produce enough works making this gem an all time classic comedy, one of the ten best ever made. Madeline Kahn (who later joined in as an integral part of Mel Brooks Troope) is introduced in her first feature film as the frumpy bride-to-be opposite Ryan O'Niel in a story which will keep you laughing from the opening sequence to the last line where O'Niel takes a comic jab at his own "heart wrenching" performance in the gushy movie "Love Story" a year earlier. The supporting cast and chemistry throughout is unmatched except perhaps in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" of the same era. "What's up, Doc?" even includes one of the more original and hilarious chase scenes ever filmed. This is truly "G-type" family entertainment which will last for generations. It reminds us that Hollywood is capable of creating great entertaining works when it wants to. If Streisand is remembered for anything of value (which means ignoring her political views) this film rewards us with the treasure and depth of her comedic talent. In light of her earlier performances it makes us wonder why Streisand ever stopped doing comic roles? Perhaps she wanted an Oscar more than the pure joy given to her audience by making them laugh. She was more gifted than Lucy, Gracy (Allyn) and Ann Southern combined. Streisand will forever be remembered by the left for her quasi communistic views; by the people of her faith for a beautiful film called Yentle; by everyone else for her range, depth, color and tone of voice. But, those of us who love the pure joy of great entertainment will remember Streisand for this film. My children love it and so will their children. Barbara, you have such tremendous talent - please do something like this again! Rating: 5 - The overused term "classic" definitely applies! One of my favorite leisure activities is watching movies at home, and my wife and I have seen hundreds. Yet, "What's Up, Doc?" holds a special place in our heart, and that says a great deal. Madeleine Kahn is whiningly brilliant in her debut role as Eunice The Nagging Fiancee, and even now, when my spouse reminds me of something for the umpteenth time, I will often jokingly reply, "Yes, Eunice." This film also reminds us fondly of my late grandfather, because some years ago we watched it during one of his visits, and all of us laughed until our sides hurt. Every time the secret agent with the golf clubs came on the screen -- even before he DID anything -- it would set off my mom and my grandfather into gales of laughter. This movie succeeds on multiple levels. The characters (especially Howard, the dazed, somewhat helpless musicologist; Eunice, his bossy fiancee; Judy Maxwell, the sweet interloper who attracts mayhem and chaos like a magnet) are amusing and well-portrayed. There is both silly visual slapstick AND brilliantly-written humorous dialogue. Comedy cliches like The Car Chase, The Pane Of Glass Crossing The Street, and people dodging in and out of rooms on a hallway are shamelessly invoked and then taken to a whole new level. And let us not forget that Streisand is a singer! When Judy meets Howard (Ryan O'Neal) later in the film, with a piano conveniently nearby, and she launches into "You must remember this", (prompting Howard to wake up and play the changes, already) her "A siiiiiiiiiiigh, is just a sigh" is enough to melt the most cynical heart. And Streisand's rendition of "You're the Top" for the opening title is positively electric. All in all, it is an absolute crime that Speed 2 is available on DVD, and What's Up, Doc (as of now) is not. This film is terrific in whatever format you can get it, and the minute it is available on DVD, my well-worn cassette of it will be honorably retired! Highly recommended.
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