What's Up, Doc? (1972) w/ Erik Svensson

Screwball comedies, remember them? We hope so, because it's sort of integral to our discussion of Bogdanovich’s hit 1972 screwball comedy What’s Up, Doc? After the black and white cinematography and heavy mood of The Last Picture Show, Pete wanted to make a very bright and light comedy in the style of Howard Hawks. Starring Ryan O’Neal as the straight man and Barbra Streisand as the daffy dame, What’s Up, Doc? is nothing but 94 minutes of zany fun, confusing suitcases, two very hot leads, and Madeline Kahn stealing the show.

 

In this episode, we’re joined by our friend Erik to discuss insane screwball comedy title choices, difficult to explain Zootopia fan-comics, our pals the Looney Tunes, Jonah’s gay card being taken away, notable Christmas-enjoyer Shane Black being relegated to streaming, and how you’re the upside down!

Next Episode: Paper Moon (1973)

 

Further “Reading”

• Bringing Up Baby (1938)
• His Girl Friday (1940)
• Ball of Fire (1941)
• What’s Up, Doc? (1950) (the Looney Tune!)
• The Dove (1968) (Madeline Kahn’s first screen role!)
• Bullitt (1968)
• Screwball Comedies… Remember Them? (1972) (BTS promo short)
• My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand (Barbra’s tome of an autobiography)
• Picture Shows: The Life and Films of Peter Bogdanovich by Andrew Yule
• Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
• You Must Remember This - “Polly Platt, The Invisible Woman, Episode 4 - Orson Welles, What’s Up Doc, and Paper Moon
• "Peter Bogdanovich on Barbra Streisand: ‘Funny, Cute and Kind of a Wiseass’" by Gregg Kilday for the Hollywood Reporter (April 19, 2013)
• "This SF-set ’70s comedy permanently damaged a city landmark" by Dan Gentile for SF Gate (February 9, 2022)
• What’s Up, Doc? trailer
• What’s Up, Doc? Blu-ray [Warner Archive]

Theme music by Ryan (twitter.com/molecularlioneI)

Support your local independent cinemas and video stores! 

 

Follow Us!

Sort By: Earliest

instagram.com/sortby_earliest/

 

Erik

Dr. Fang and the Bats

Bigg Egg

letterboxd.com/esvensso/

 

Jonah

letterboxd.com/jonahp97/

twitter.com/jon_ahhhh

 

Journey

letterboxd.com/journeyb/

instagram.com/journey_brad/