A Binge too Far #46: Airplane! duo (1980 – 1982)

Leslie Nielsen and Robert Hays in Airplane! (1980)

Taking its cue from the disaster film genre in general and Zero Hour! (1957) in particular, the Airplane! (1980 – 1982) duo is treating us with some really outrageous comedy!

 

Airplane! (1980) poster

Airplane! (1980)

 

A goofy ex-fighter pilot (Robert Hays) must take control of a commercial airplane when all crew members become ill with food poisoning. Will he manage to land it safely and win the love of his ex-girlfriend (Julie Hagerty)? Will the only doctor (Leslie Nielsen) on board help matters or will he prove equally goofy?

 

The writing and directing team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker make a slapstick parody of the disaster film genre without becoming too removed from the source material, and deliver a wild comedy that became a phenomenon. It grossed a stunning $171 million on a modest $3.5 million budget and even won a few awards, along with critical appreciation.

 

Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)

Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)

 

It is now the future, and a commercial flight to space is suffering a computer malfunctions that changes its route to the sun. Ted Striker (Robert Hays) recently escaped from a psychiatric ward and it is now up to him to save the day.

 

With the original team behind the glorious original comedy nowhere on sight and with Ken Finkelman handling both writing and directing duties, this is funny enough to guarantee for a good time, but nowhere near as outrageous as the first outing. Julia Hagerty is also welcomingly back, but the absence of Leslie Nielsen hurt the proceedings. A third instalment was announced but since this grossed a mere $27.2 million on a $15 million budget, these plans never materialized.

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