“Doctor Marvin! Doctor Leo Marvin!” Fans of the 1991 movie What About Bob? can instantly recall the scene from their favorite comedy. Bill Murray as Bob Wiley steps into the parking lot beside Guttman’s Cafeteria, fresh from baby-stepping off the bus and in desperate need of his favorite psychiatrist Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss. With Gill the goldfish hanging from his neck, Bob begins shouting at the top of his lungs for Dr. Wiley, causing more than a few raised eyebrows and providing viewers of the movie with endless laughs. But did you know that this sidesplitting scene, along with all of the footage of “Lake Winnipesaukee” was actually filmed at Smith Mountain Lake? Guttman’s Cafeteria and the neighboring general store still stand in old Moneta along the train tracks. While the general store is in disrepair, Guttman’s Cafeteria now serves as the quilting studio for SML resident Kim Deneault. Devotees of the movie will be happy to know that a number of classic icons from the movie can still be found in old Moneta: the porch where Dr. Marvin first discovers that Bob has followed him on his vacation, the general store where a crazed Leo steals gunpowder to “treat” Bob with death therapy, and of course the famous “Dr. Leo Marvin!” parking lot. So next time you’re in the mood for a little What About Bob? nostalgia, make sure you go and visit old Moneta. Because as Dr. Marvin can tell you, Bob’s not gone – he’s never gone!
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