AIRPLANE!: Surely It Can’t Be Celebrating Its 45th Anniversary?

Introduction

Released on July 2, 1980, Airplane! became an instant classic and has remained a timeless beacon of absurd humor in cinema. Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, this spoof of disaster films is a celebration of clever satire, slapstick comedy, and quick-witted dialogue. As we at Cinema Scholars mark its anniversary, it’s fitting to take a look back at the making of this revolutionary film and the enduring impact that Airplane! continues to have on the world of comedy.

The Birth of a Comedy Masterpiece

Before Airplane! hit the big screen, its directors were relatively unknown, having worked primarily on short comedy sketches. Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker had previously gained some attention with the cult classic Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), but it was their distinctive sense of humor that set the stage for Airplane!

The film’s inspiration came from their shared love for parodying the disaster genre, particularly the 1957 film Zero Hour!, which the team saw as the epitome of earnest melodrama. The trio saw potential in transforming the film’s serious plot into a laugh-out-loud farce. With Airplane!, they did just that, reimagining the tense atmosphere of a hijacked airplane into a series of surreal and nonsensical moments.

The Cast

One of the secrets to the success of Airplane! was its impeccable casting. The film starred Robert Hays as Ted Striker, a former fighter pilot who must overcome his fear of flying and ‘drinking problem’ to save the passengers aboard a doomed airplane. While Hays was relatively unknown at the time, his ability to play the handsome straight man amid the madness elevated the humor.

But it wasn’t just the comedic actors who made an impact. The film’s brilliance lay in its use of serious actors who played it completely straight. This contrast between the absurdity of the situation and the deadpan performances was crucial to the film’s charm. Julie Hagerty (What About Bob?), who played the lovable flight attendant Elaine and Lloyd Bridges (Hot Shots!), a stalwart of drama at the time, brought an additional layer of hilarity through their unflinching seriousness in the face of pure chaos.

Then there were the comedy legends like Leslie Nielsen, whose portrayal of Dr. Rumack became iconic. Nielsen, known for his dramatic roles prior to Airplane!, including serious and sinister turns in the likes of Columbo and Kojak, seamlessly transitioned into comedy, delivering his lines with an unwavering seriousness that only made the absurdity of his character more hilarious. His deadpan delivery of lines has gone down in comedy history.

 “A hospital? What is it?”

“It’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now” 

The Humor

One of the hallmarks of Airplane! is its relentless, jaw-aching pace of jokes, puns, wordplay, and visual gags. The film is packed with clever references to everything from pop culture to aviation, as well as absurd situations that make no logical sense—but that’s precisely what makes them so funny. For example, the recurring joke about Ted’s fear of flying (which is exaggerated to absurd levels) never slows down the plot, but instead, it adds a layer of comedy that pays off time and time again.

The film also pioneered the style of visual comedy that would be adopted by many future films. It encouraged viewers to focus not only on the dialogue but also on what was happening in the background. Little touches, such as Nun’s Life and Boy’s Life magazines, the dozen’s of mayo jars behind the heart specialist at the Mayo Clinic, set Airplane! apart from its peers, with the directors’ motto during filming being ‘How can we make this funnier?’

Cultural Impact

When Airplane! was first released, its humor was unlike anything mainstream audiences had seen before. While it drew some criticism for its unconventional comedic style, it quickly became a commercial success, grossing over $83 million in the U.S. (against a budget of just $3.5 million) and earning a spot in pop culture history. It received critical acclaim for its unique take on comedy and its use of parody and slapstick humor.

As the years passed, the influence of Airplane! on comedy films became undeniable. The film’s chaotic, joke-filled approach paved the way for movies like The Naked Gun series (also starring Leslie Nielsen), Hot Shots! (which was also directed by the Zucker’s and starring Lloyd Bridges), and more recently, Scary Movie. Each of these films carried the torch of rapid-fire gags, pop culture references, irreverent humor, and a blend of the ridiculous and the relatable.

In addition to its comedy, Airplane! holds a place in the heart of film lovers for its sheer dedication to not taking itself seriously. As a result, it forever changed the landscape of spoof films, setting a high bar for future works in the genre.

A Lasting Legacy

As Airplane! celebrates its forty-fifth anniversary, it’s universally viewed as more than just a relic of 1980s comedy—it’s a cultural touchstone. Fans still quote its memorable lines and reference its visual gags. Its iconic imagery, like the plane crashing through the airport window, or the nightclub scene, remains ingrained in the collective consciousness.

Airplane! has also continued to be celebrated in modern media. The film is often referenced in television shows, movies, as well as online content. It’s not just a film that has aged well, but a timeless blueprint for the comedy genre that continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and comedians over four decades later.

In a world where laughter is often the best medicine, Airplane! proves that sometimes, the best way to deal with the challenges of life is to take them a little less seriously. With its rapid-fire humor, absurd moments, and legacy as one of the most influential comedies of all time, Airplane! remains as relevant and entertaining today as it was when it first took flight 45 years ago…and don’t call me Shirley. 

Airplane! is available on Paramount+.

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