This was a short comedy that played in cinemas before a Marx Brother feature. This is as funny if not funnier than any Marx Brother classic. No more than 15 minutes, this short pokes fun at nervous / stressed men in the workforce. Those who can't make up their minds and ask the woman of their dreams out, and those who can't demand a raise or say what's truly on their minds. This is a pre-comedy to get you ready to do some laughing. Many people forget, but George O'Hanlon was the voice of the Jetson's cartoon: George Jetson. Funny, in a way, O'Hanlon looks a lot like the cartoon character! This is a nice comedy that shows O'Halon's comedy genius and acting talents.
7 Reviews
There's a little bit of Joe McDoakes in all of us
utgard1429 April 2014
Very funny Joe McDoakes short starring George O'Hanlon. This time Joe is suffering from various fears. He's afraid to tell the girl he likes how he feels, afraid to speak up to his boss, and afraid to say no to an annoying coworker taking donations. The funny thing I realized as I was watching this short was that, at some point in my life, I have been Joe McDoakes myself! How little some things change even after half a century. Anyway, Joe goes to a doctor seeking a cure. The results are pretty funny and the ending perfect. The Joe McDoakes series from WB was a good one with the underrated George O'Hanlon always making me laugh.
Fair...
planktonrules30 April 2017
This installment of Joe McDoakes finds our daffy hero (George O'Hanlon) suffering a variety of neuroses. In a departure from previous more educational offerings, this time the narrator dispenses rather hair- brained information and ultimately Joe ends up seeing a daffy psychiatrist who almost instantly sums up Joe's problems...encouraging him to be more assertive. Next, you see him at work ordering folks about...leading to a weird finale.
The quality of this one is about average for a Joe McDoakes short, though instead of education, this one is played strictly for laughs. I particularly loved when the psychiatrist asked Joe if he had any worries about allergies, horse racing or losing his hair, as all three were plots from previous McDoakes films! Oddly, however, the film forgot that Joe was married...as he's quite the office romeo.
The quality of this one is about average for a Joe McDoakes short, though instead of education, this one is played strictly for laughs. I particularly loved when the psychiatrist asked Joe if he had any worries about allergies, horse racing or losing his hair, as all three were plots from previous McDoakes films! Oddly, however, the film forgot that Joe was married...as he's quite the office romeo.
Winning McDoakes
Michael_Elliott31 March 2010
So You Think You're a Nervous Wreck (1946)
*** (out of 4)
Joe McDoakes (George O'Hanlon) is back and this time he is suffering from various fears. He's afraid of public speaking. Afraid of girls. Afraid to tell people no. His worst fear is whenever he sees his boss. Joe finally gets enough courage to go to a doctor to see if all these fears could be cured or if he's doomed for life. Once again it's the wonderful comic performance of O'Hanlon that makes this film worth viewing. The screenplay by Bare has all the perfect notes but it's O'Hanlon's deliver that really seals the deal and makes this series so funny. There's a terrific sequence at the start of the film where McDoakes shows us everything he's scared of and O'Hanlon does a wonderful job at playing these fear scenes and he manages to get one laugh after another. The same is true towards the end of the movie when he puts his new courage to the test. Clifton Young jumps on board here as Joe's biggest rival, a role he'd play in countless entries in the series.
*** (out of 4)
Joe McDoakes (George O'Hanlon) is back and this time he is suffering from various fears. He's afraid of public speaking. Afraid of girls. Afraid to tell people no. His worst fear is whenever he sees his boss. Joe finally gets enough courage to go to a doctor to see if all these fears could be cured or if he's doomed for life. Once again it's the wonderful comic performance of O'Hanlon that makes this film worth viewing. The screenplay by Bare has all the perfect notes but it's O'Hanlon's deliver that really seals the deal and makes this series so funny. There's a terrific sequence at the start of the film where McDoakes shows us everything he's scared of and O'Hanlon does a wonderful job at playing these fear scenes and he manages to get one laugh after another. The same is true towards the end of the movie when he puts his new courage to the test. Clifton Young jumps on board here as Joe's biggest rival, a role he'd play in countless entries in the series.
"Joe McDoakes" has it half right when he calls for . . .
cricket3030 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
. . . "Drinks all around!" during the so-called "Old West Fantasy Sequence" of SO YOU THNK YOU'RE A NERVOUS WRECK. The thorn in Joe's side throughout this live-action short is "Homer Hotbox," a devious weasel who tries to chisel dough away from Joe and horn in on his girl. Adding in salt to injury, "Homer" has the audacity to barge in upon Joe's fantasy sequence, just when it seems that things have taken a turn for the better. What Real Life office drone Joe SHOULD have ordered during his day dream is "Guns all around!" Firearms are specifically designed to take care of devious kill-joys such as Homer, and now that most states have generous "Stand your ground" statutes to go along with their historic "self defense" rights, it's important to remember that "dead men tell no tales." Keeping in mind that "Possession of a shooting iron is 90% of the Law," why not contribute right now to your local chapter of BANGS (Broke Americans Need Gun Stamps)?
The Repressed Desires & Needs of Modern Man
redryan644 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
WITH THIS INSTALLMENT, the second to use the now famous opening of Mc Doakes' coming out in the opening sequence by literally emerging from "Behind the 8 Ball", the series was really starting to feel its oats. The style was much more that which have come to know.
ANY PRETENSE OF being an even semi-serious series was thrown by the wayside. It was full speed ahead, all for the laughs!
WE NOW SEE the frequent use of the main character's looking us right square in the eye (much like the ploy used so often by Oliver Hardy) sand his having conversations with narrator, Art Gilmore. There seems to be a sort of economy of cast members, with fewer actors, but judiciously used. We are also privy to Joe's private thoughts as O'Hanlon voices over himself while his on-screen image remains mute.
THE INCLUSION OF a brief fantasy into the Old West is accomplished through Joe's own day-dreaming. In it we see both he and rival, Homer (Neil Young), who is easily identified as the same guy by way of a rather loud, checkerboard necktie both worn in the real world (office) and in the dream.
THERE IS LITTLE continuity in the various episodes in the series. Usually we have only Joe and loving spouse, Alice; who was played by several different actresses. In this one, Joe is a free, on the open market and very available bachelor. A very lovely lady in the office proves to be at the center of his feud with the brash Homer.
MUCH LIKE SO many other comedies of its type, the director knows how to wind it all up. A close-up, followed with a highly revealing wider shot serves not only to wise up the audience; but also to leave us laughing!
AND THAT IS, after all, what the series is all about, right, Schultz?
ANY PRETENSE OF being an even semi-serious series was thrown by the wayside. It was full speed ahead, all for the laughs!
WE NOW SEE the frequent use of the main character's looking us right square in the eye (much like the ploy used so often by Oliver Hardy) sand his having conversations with narrator, Art Gilmore. There seems to be a sort of economy of cast members, with fewer actors, but judiciously used. We are also privy to Joe's private thoughts as O'Hanlon voices over himself while his on-screen image remains mute.
THE INCLUSION OF a brief fantasy into the Old West is accomplished through Joe's own day-dreaming. In it we see both he and rival, Homer (Neil Young), who is easily identified as the same guy by way of a rather loud, checkerboard necktie both worn in the real world (office) and in the dream.
THERE IS LITTLE continuity in the various episodes in the series. Usually we have only Joe and loving spouse, Alice; who was played by several different actresses. In this one, Joe is a free, on the open market and very available bachelor. A very lovely lady in the office proves to be at the center of his feud with the brash Homer.
MUCH LIKE SO many other comedies of its type, the director knows how to wind it all up. A close-up, followed with a highly revealing wider shot serves not only to wise up the audience; but also to leave us laughing!
AND THAT IS, after all, what the series is all about, right, Schultz?
So You Think You're a Nervous Wreck was another Joe McDoakes comedy short
tavm10 June 2015
This was a Joe McDoakes short starring George O'Hanlon I just watched as an extra on the A Night in Casablanca DVD. Joe here is indeed as the title implies as he can't speak in public to save his life, can't tell an annoying coworker no when he asks for a donation for a fellow employee, can't ask a female coworker for a date, and can't ask for a raise from his boss. So he goes to a psychiatrist to see if he'll cure him. Well, the doctor does wonders for his self-esteem but if it's for good or not, well, watch this short if you want to find out! Very funny and O'Hanlon really sells all the points this short wants to make. So on that note, I highly recommend So You Think You're a Nervous Wreck.
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