You are here:

Comedy Movies/M*A*S*H 1970

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/26/2007


Question
I was just watching M*A*S*H, the movie not the TV show. One of the best movies ever made. My question concerns a joke I never really understood. When “Painless” the dentist is taking a shower all the men lineup to see the “best equipped dentist in the army”. Why are only the men lined up to take a peek? It’s some sort of social commentary I gather, but I just don’t get it. Maybe you could bring it up in class and see what they think as well.
Thanks

Colin
Charleston, SC


Answer
Colin, I'm sorry to take so long with answering your question.  I was not able to poll my current classes, but I did ask several men I know (including my spouse).  The consensus was that this is a guy thing--to check out a well-endowed man, not for homosexual reasons, but for comparison reasons (much like a woman might look at the outfit of another woman).  They want to see for themselves, perhaps due to feelings of sexual inadequacy.  I'm not sure there really is any social commentary in it, beyond the humorous depiction of male behavior.  

This is the best answer I could get by this date.  I didn't want to wait any longer to respond, since I will be unavailable soon. I hope this response gives you at least some answer to your question.

Comedy Movies

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

Past/Present Clients
My students

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.