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Expert: - 6/7/2009


Question
Dear Barbara,

as a child (about 18 years ago) I remember watching a crazy spoof comedy on Czech TV that mostly took place in a hospital. Since it was on Czech TV in dubbed version at that time, the original (US or UK most likely) must be at least 20 years old.

Here are some specifics I remember: there was a hitman who was after some patient in the hospital but by crazy coincidences he always unsuccessful. There was a doctor who was giving hints to new doctors/medical students and he first submerged one finger into a urine sample and then licked another finger while the students, when repeating the sampling procedure licked the same finger they submerged.

There was also a midget in the movie (but I am not too sure about this).

It also involved some mafia in the city which I believe sent the hitman to the hospital.

Please let me know if you know the title of this movie. I already know that it is NOT Britannia Hospital (1982).

Thank you very much in advance!

Answer
This is the 1982 spoof "Young Doctors in Love," directed by Gerry Marshall and starring Michael McKean and Sean Young. It is a zany comedy similar to "Airplane!" except about hospitals (as well as soap operas about hospitals, having many cameros of stars from "General Hospital").  According to the Internet Movie Data Base, it has all the elements you noted (hitman, mobsters, interns, a small person, the urine bit, etc.), plus a few more (cross-dressing, egotistical doctors, a love story, etc.).  It is available on DVD from Amazon.com for a relative cheap price, if you are interested in purchasing the film.  

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Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

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My students

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