Where Does It Hurt?

This movie was originally released in 1972 as "The Operator". I saw it at the Apache Drive-In in Tucson AZ in 1978 as "Where Does It Hurt?". I was working in a hospital at the time and found the jokes outrageously funny and appropriate.

A well tanned JoAnn Phlug, (Lt. Dish from M*A*S*H the movie) is one of the main characters and plays well off of Sellers. Pat Morita as a young lab technician is a treat as well.

The gags are non-stop and the Pepsi machine as a door into Sellers office is a stroke of genius.

The title song was written by Keith Allison, who also starred as a minor character. Sort of like the Louden Wainwright character in M*A*S*H, the TV series.

This movie was risque by some standards then but would play uncut on any channel now. There is very little swearing in it but it alludes to some sexual situations.

Sadly, it has never been released on tape or DVD although it was shown by some pay services 15 years or so ago. I happened to tape it off of the defunct Stardust Theater and watch it occasionally, it's just as funny today as it was in 1978.

Too bad they don't release it on DVD as it's a classic example of '70 humor and Sellers dead-pan wisecracks are just as good now as when he was alive.

I remember seeing the previews with my father. It looked REALLY funny, but you know how these things are, seldom do the movies live up the the trailer.

As we were waiting to go into the movie when it came out, the previous audience came out doubled over with laughter. It was so funny, I couldn't believe it! Yeah, the music isn't too good, cinematography was even worse, but the GAGS. I think it is pretty much a period comedy, but the times are coming back to the same kind of things that the film made fun of. Bring it back. Jeff PS, I paid $26 on E-bay for a poor copy of it and do not feel "taken."

I remember seeing this years ago, and have not heard any reference to it until now. Although it may be lowbrow & low quality for Peter Sellers, this was a movie of moments and would be excellent and very timely material for a re-make. Especially with so many cynical & mean characters around.

As I recall, Sellers is a doctor/administrator. Both he and the hospital exist to make money any possible way with no scruples. The plot follows one patient who checks in for some routine tests, lets slip that he owns a house and the bilking begins.

Seller's character also reimburses a colleague with a check that is returned by the bank. Putting it under a microscope, the words "Not Negotiable" are barely visible. "You accepted that check as payment! I owe you nothing," says Sellers.

It's more of a gem than it it gets (no) credit for.

My one line says it all. I still think of it a lot, actually I was beginning to doubt it it really existed or if I had mis-remembered the title. It was funny and I must have seen it in the Navy when I watched 2 movies or more a day on Guam in 1974-5. If you find it it is worth watching. J.

One of my all-time favourite movies. At least, that's what I thought last time I saw it 25 years ago!

Unusually, the movie plot is an improvement on the book (originally called "The Operator" but renamed in line with the movie). The authors of the book were also the screenwriters and the took the opportunity to sharpen up the plot - changing the insurance investigator who comes to work out why this hospital has so many claims, into an innocent tradesman who is scammed into unnecessary medical attention so the hospital can take his house in payment.

As a Brit I was proud of Peter Sellers starring as an American in an American movie. I can only assume his accent passed muster - it sounded perfect to me.

C'mon studio - release it on DVD NOW!