What's Up, Doc?

Howard Bannister, uptight musicologist, arrives in San Francisco with controlling fiancée Eunice for a conference. He's rigid, formal, and completely organized.

Judy: "Love means never having to say you're sorry" (parodying Love Story). The film is about loosening up, spontaneity vs. control, chaos vs. order.

Howard needs grant money, Eunice micromanages everything. Four identical plaid overnight bags introduced: rocks, jewels, secret documents, and Judy's clothes.

Judy Maxwell, free-spirited and chaotic, crashes into Howard's life at the hotel. She's everything he's not - spontaneous, bold, and lying about being his fiancée.

Howard tries to resist Judy's advances. She keeps inserting herself into his life. Bags keep getting switched. Should he stay with safe Eunice or embrace chaos?

Howard and Judy trapped together in hotel room. First real connection. He starts to enjoy her company despite himself. Enters world of unpredictability.

Howard and Judy's relationship deepens. She teaches him to have fun. The romance subplot with mistaken identity and pretending to be engaged.

Classic screwball comedy chaos. Hotel room mix-ups, mistaken bags, everyone chasing everyone. Dinner party disaster. Physical comedy peaks. This is the "promise of the premise."

Howard realizes he has real feelings for Judy. Romantic moment together. False victory - seems like they could be together. But Eunice and chaos loom.

Complications multiply. Spies want documents, thieves want jewels, Eunice suspects. Everyone converging. Hotel catches fire. Chaos escalating out of control.

Epic car chase through San Francisco ends in disaster. Everyone arrested. Howard loses grant, loses reputation, loses everything. Judy seemingly caused all his problems.

Courtroom scene. Howard must choose between blaming Judy (and saving himself) or taking responsibility. His old uptight life vs. new chaotic authentic life.

Howard defends Judy, admits his feelings. Synthesizes uptight academic with free spirit. Bags all sorted out, truth revealed. He chooses love over control.

Chaos resolves. Judge dismisses case with wisdom. Howard stands up to Eunice, breaks engagement. Embraces his feelings for Judy fully.

Howard and Judy fly away together. He's loosened up completely, embracing chaos and love. Perfect screwball ending - they're equals in madness. "What's up, Doc?"