Movie Musings: Disney and More

Bob Newhart: What’s-s s-so f-f-funny?

When we think of the term “sit-com legends,” there are many names that come to our minds: Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Betty White, Lucille Ball, Don Knotts, and many others. Another name that could be included in that list would be Bob Newhart. Having begun his career as a stand-up comedian, Newhart brought laughter into the world with his deadpan humor combined with his slight stammer, transitioning into being the star of successful television shows and movies.

Bob Newhart first had his own television sit-com, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978). The show earned him a Golden Globe nomination in its first season for his performance as Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley. Next, Newhart starred in the sit-com Newhart (1982-1990), which earned him four Golden Globe Nominations and three Emmy Nominations for his performance as Dick Loudon. Tom Poston, who co-starred with Newhart in five episodes of “The Bob Newhart Show,” was promoted to a regular on “Newhart.” (Poston would also later marry Suzanne Pleshette, who played Emily Hartley, Bob’s wife, on “The Bob Newhart Show.” Pleshette also did one episode of “Newhart.”)   

When the Walt Disney Studios cast the voice talents for The Rescuers (1977) they originally thought of Walter Matthau as the voice of Bernard the mouse. But when Matthau, for unknown reasons, didn’t go through with it, Disney signed Bob Newhart instead. (Ironically, Newhart starred with Walter Matthau in the movie Little Miss Marker (1990)). Newhart reprised his role as Bernard the mouse for the theatrical sequel, The Rescuers Down Under (1990). He, along with Eva Gabor and Bernard Fox, were the only members of the voice cast from the first film who reprised their roles for the sequel. Gabor voiced Miss Bianca the mouse and Fox voiced the Chairman of the Rescue Aid Society. In “Down Under,” Fox also voiced the mouse doctor who operates on Wilbur the Albatross when he is injured. 

In both the “Rescuers,” movies Bernard acknowledges that he hates to fly, which is true in real life of Bob Newhart. 

  With his stammer and deadpan sense of humor, Bob Newhart has created a legacy of laughter unlike any other performer before him-characters without much charisma or charm, yet lovable nonetheless. His six decades in show business, were built on playing characters that look as though they have no emotions whatsoever on screen-yet somehow he always made us laugh.

In addition to his roles on television and in the “Rescuers,” series, Bob Newhart has also had bit roles in comedy films. He portrayed Tom Halliwell in In & Out (1997), Sid Post in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), Papa Elf in Elf (2003), and Lou Sherman in Horrible Bosses (2011). He has also had a recurring role as Professor Arthur “Proton” Jeffries on The Big Bang Theory (2007-present), which won him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. It was his first Emmy, but no doubt well-deserved body of work.