When it comes to comedy, sometimes you just can’t beat the combination of Abrahams and the Zuckers. Spiralling in at number 7 is their 1980 comedic genius, Airplane! Playing parody homage to the disaster films of the 70’s, in particular Airport and also the 1957 drama Zero Hour! which lends a lot of context and characters to the film. Ted Stryker is an ex-fighter pilot, traumatized to such an extent, that he has developed a drinking problem (he can put the drink anywhere but in his mouth) and as such can’t hold onto a regular job. When he learns his girlfriend Ellen, whom he met in the war and is now an air stewardess, is leaving him and working on a flight from L.A. to Chicago, he buys a ticket and attempts to win her back, and is knocked back every time. Meanwhile, the inflight meal is served and several passengers and crew start to fall ill.
Dr. Rumack ascertains that those who ate the fish are the ones affected, and with the flight crew incapacitated, Ellen contacts the control tower, who advise to activate the planes autopilot, a large inflatable by the name of Otto. Otto can fly but can’t land the plane, so Rumack and Ellen persuade Stryker to pilot the plane in for landing, with guidance from the control tower and his old commanding officer from the war, and nemesis, Captain Rex Kramer. Amid orders and flashbacks, Ted battles to land the plane in worsening weather conditions, can he get them all safely back to the runway?
If silly jokes, visual and verbal puns, running jokes and down right ridiculousness, this is the perfect movie for you. And if you don’t, you’ll still enjoy this movie! Cram packed to the gills, the humour is constant and brilliant. Brought to life with a superb cast, it would be the comedic arrival for Leslie Nielsen, who prior to this had played serious characters in his movies, with his superb deadpan play of Dr. Rumack. Robert Hays is excellent as Ted and Julie Hagerty as Ellen also displays a great knack for comedic timing. Lloyd Bridges as control tower supervisor Steve McCroskey is a hoot, stealing most scenes he’s in, peppered with iconic lines and brilliant visual gags.
Often imitated, but never bettered, Airplane! would go on to influence a lot of comedies for it’s clever use of wit and sight gags. A sequel, Airplane II was released but despite having several returning cast members, and some good gags, it wouldn’t be a big hit in comparison to Airplane! which would go on to be inducted in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress given it’s impact and lasting legacy as a comedy great. So I just want to tell you all good luck. I’m counting on you to read this and go watch Airplane! you won’t be disappointed.
Our next film is a Sci-Fi classic, sprawling in it’s vision and narrative. Can I tell you in advance what it is? I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that…
Dan Dared 