Friday, August 28, 2009

'Usually This Doesn't Happen'

For my younger readers who think I'm insane when I say "that gross old man" Ryan O'Neal was "the Brad Pitt" of the 1970s, I give you these shots of Dr. Howard Bannister in "What's Up, Doc?," one of the funniest movies of all time.




14 comments:

Jeffery said...

For some reason I never thought he was hot. He was OK.

Mike in Asheville said...

Kenneth, careful now; karma can be a real bitch. Wonder what you'll look like in 30 years. Ryan O'Neal is pushing 70!

And, of course, he was at his hottest in Love Story!

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

Mike --
That maybe wasn't as clear as it should have been. "That gross old man" is meant to be a younger reader's impression of Ryan now, not mine. Although his behavior certainly is (and was) pretty gross by all accounts!

kw

Dan said...

I have always loved What's Up Doc? It is superbly written, cast and acted. Really, a movie like that would not be green lit today. Plus if you can keep track of which case is which past the first half hour, you're a better man than me.

One of my favorite gags is Sorrell Booke tripping Mabel Albertson's character all the way up to her room is just too damn funny.

Anonymous said...

He was considered a prime hottie in his day. Looking back, though, it's interesting to note how our standards in male hotness have changed over the years. By today's standards, he wouldn't be allowed to take his shirt off in a film; ill-defined muscle, no six-pack.

Mark said...

I completely agree, he was amazingly hot. I still remember driving by the ad for "The Main Event" and just staring at his chest.

James Greenlee said...

Both Ryan and Barbra were really at their peaks in that one. What's Up, Doc? has as many quotable lines as Young Frankenstein (and both with Madeline Kahn!). A personal favorite. Thanks, Kenneth!

Fritz: You will tell her you are smitten with her, that you have have followed her all night, and you will make passionate love to her.
Harry: Couldn't I just kill her?

BW said...

Best movie ever. I've used that line in many a situation.

Anonymous said...

One of my all time favorite movies. And yes, I used to quote it all the time. I knew that script backwards and forwards. Great script! Ryan was a Hottie in his day.
Peter

Sam said...

Ryan O'Neal inspired many, many adolescent fantasies of mine. I need to pull out my What's Up Doc DVD and watch it again.

Anonymous said...

this is absolutely one of my most favorite movies. madeline kahn was genius and perfection wrapped in a tailored dress.

Anonymous said...

He looks flawless to me and that VPL is mouth watering!

Johnjon said...

After James Franciscus in “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” running around wearing a leather loin cloth, and Ryan O’Neal in his jammies in “What’s up Doc?”, my 10 year old self knew there was something up. These 2 men turned me gay, and I’m thrilled about it!

Randy Slovacek said...

I completely agree with you, Kenneth. Ryan was truly the Brad Pitt of his day. That handsome face, his comedic skills...he was terrific.