MovieChat Forums > What's Up, Doc? (1972) Discussion > Question about character's name

Question about character's name

posted 9 years ago by boris-bajkov
4 replies | jump to latest

Can someone explain why Judy called Howard Steve all the time?

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] singjohn 9 years ago

When he tells her his name is Howard, she says she likes Steve better.

[–] tpupkin 8 years ago

Was that a reference to To Have and Have Not? In that movie Bacall constantly calls Bogart "Steve" instead of his real name. Supposedly this was based on director Howard Hawks' wife calling him "Steve" as an inside joke. Hawks famously directed a few classic screwball comedies, and What's Up Doc? is an ode to classic screwball. So many layers in this movie!

[–] singjohn 8 years ago

I think you may be on to something there!