RetroReview: What's Up, Doc?

Everything old is new again, or so it seems. In Retro Review, our resident film buffs take a dive into a movie classic -- and tell us why it worked then, and whether it still works now. This week, Meg McPake takes us back to simpler, more absurd times with What's Up, Doc?

Whatever happened to screwball comedy? Once a staple of Hollywood's Golden Age, this genre has largely faded into obscurity. Yet, Peter Bogdanovich’s 1972 gem What's Up, Doc? stands as a brilliant tribute to the fast-paced, witty, and often chaotic style reminiscent of classics like Bringing Up Baby (1938) and His Girl Friday (1940).

The Movie

Howard Bannister, a repressed academic, is travelling to San Francisco in hopes of winning a $20,000 research grant at the Congress of American Musicologists Convention. The film follows Howard as his meticulously planned trip quickly spirals into chaos when he meets and is relentlessly pursued by the irrepressibly mischievous Judy Maxwell. Adding to the chaos, Howard’s plaid overnight bag contains special igneous 'tambula' rocks crucial to his research. Unbeknownst to him, three other guests at the hotel are carrying identical bags, setting the stage for a whirlwind of mistaken identities, stolen property, and comedic mishaps.

Who’s in it? Do I Know Them?

Most recognisable is the film’s lead actress, Barbara Streisand, an icon of stage and screen. Musical fans may remember her unforgettable performances in classics such as Funny Girl (1968) and A Star is Born (1976). Streisand is one of the rare performers to have achieved the prestigious EGOT status, her versatility and charm are evident in her performance as Judy Maxwell.

Ryan O'Neal from his leading role in Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon (1975) or Hiller’s romantic drama Love Story (1970). While it’s been argued O’Neal only needed to be good-looking and play clueless to fit the Carey Grant-esque role, O’Neil’s performance of Howard Bannister demonstrates his talent for comedic timing and effortless blend of charm and slapstick, proving himself more than just a pretty face.

What made it work

What’s Up, Doc? was a major success upon its release, becoming the third highest-grossing movie of 1972 and winning the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen in 1973, among other accolades. A key factor in the film’s success is the sharp writing and the lively interplay between the characters, whose comedic synergy is truly captivating. O’Neal, portraying the earnest and slightly bewildered academic, serves as the perfect foil to Streisand’s vivacious and unpredictable Judy; O’Neal brings a charmingly hapless quality to Howard, grounding the character in a way that makes him both relatable and endearing.

The standout performance, however, comes from Madeline Kahn in her film debut as Howard’s uptight fiancée, Eunice Burns. With her high-strung demeanour and melodramatic reactions, Kahn steals every scene she’s in, adding an extra layer of humour and energy to the film. One particularly brilliant moment showcases her comedic talent when Eunice is dropped off at a sketchy harbour and enters a dilapidated shack, expecting to attend a convention of musicologists. Instead, she encounters mobsters, and her bewildered reaction is priceless.

The film excels not only due to its stellar cast but also because of its clever homage to the screwball comedy genre. The humour thrives on slapstick, misunderstandings, and placing the neurotic Howard Bannister in increasingly absurd situations. Every scene is filled with jokes and visual gags, to the point that each rewatch reveals something new, whether it’s a funny background detail or a perfectly timed reaction from a secondary character. A standout sequence occurs during the film’s climax, where all the characters are involved in a chaotic chase scene through San Francisco; the city’s steep roadways are brilliantly utilised, enhancing the film’s frenetic energy and cartoonish charm.

Throughout its increasingly nonsensical plot, What’s Up Doc remains thoroughly engaging, fully embracing its own absurdity. It doesn’t merely acknowledge its ridiculousness; it revels in it, inviting the audience to join in on the fun.

Who Would Enjoy this film?

Fans of screwball classics including Bringing Up Baby (1938) and His Girl Friday (1940) will be sure to enjoy What’s Up Doc’s joyous homage to the beloved genre, blending sharp dialogue, impeccable timing and a cast that fully commit to absurdity. However, before we start crying requiem for a screwball comedy, there are still properties that emanate the same energy from yesteryear in writer Amy Sherman Palladino’s works. Fans of Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, and The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel are also likely to find enjoyment in the fast-talking wit and obscure pop-culture references in What's Up, Doc?