Airplane! (motion picture), motion picture spoofing Zero Hour (1957) and Airport (1970) are two films about commercial passenger planes in danger of crashing. This 1980 release moves along at a manic pace and features many deliberately corny jokes that are delivered in a nonstop manner. Actor Leslie Nielsen revived his career with this film, in which he satirizes his earlier, serious screen persona. Airplane! was a success at the box office and inspired Airplane II, The Sequel (1982).
Directors
Jim Abrahams
David Zucker
Jerry Zucker
Cast
Robert Hays (Ted Striker)
Julie Hagerty (Elaine)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Murdock)
Lloyd Bridges (McCroskey)
Peter Graves (Captain Oveur)
Leslie Nielsen (Dr. Rumack)
Lorna Patterson (Randy)
Robert Stack (Kramer)
Stephen Stucker (Johnny)
Barbara Billingsley (Jive lady)
Joyce Bulifant (Mrs. Davis)
James Hong (Japanese general)
Maureen McGovern (Nun)
Ethel Merman (Lieutenant Hurwitz)
Kenneth Tobey (Air controller Neubauer)
Jimmie Walker (Windshield wiper man)
Howard Jarvis (Man in taxi)
Trivia
Additional footage has been added in many different television broadcast versions of the film. In one version, there is a scene in the airport in which an older couple is greeted by a friend near the metal detectors. When the friend sees them, he calls out, ‘Hi, Jack!” and is tackled by security officers.
Quotes
Ted Striker: “Surely you can’t be serious.”
Dr. Rumack: “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”
Roger Murdock: “We have clearance, Clarence.”
Captain Oveur: “Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?”
Tower voice: “Tower’s radio clearance, over!”
Captain Oveur: “That’s Clarence Oveur! Over.”
Tower voice: “Roger.”
Roger Murdock: “Huh?”
Tower voice: Roger, over.
Roger Murdock: “Huh?”
Captain Oveur: “Huh?”
Rumack: “Elaine, you’re a member of this crew. Can you face some unpleasant facts?”
Elaine Dickinson: “No.”
