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This article was originally published on February 1, 2016.
Jim Abrahams, one of the three writer-directors ofAirplane!,died on November 26, 2024.
There are few movies as quotable as the 1980 disaster-movie parodyAirplane!
with the trio who wrote and directed the film, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker.
Wed say, Wait, wait, wait.
But we added the Dont call me Shirley.
And then, inZero Hour!, she says, Yes.
When Paramount Pictures watched the dailies and saw that joke and the way it played, they were relieved.
We were doing a comedy without comedians.
We told them to play it like they dont know theyre in a comedy.
Like no one told them.
Leslie, more than anyone, really got that and relished it.
Most of the movie is like that.
We found that it was easier tokeepan audience laughing than to start them up all over again.
So we better have another joke.
Theres the 25-year, the 30-year, the 35-year anniversary.
A lot of film festivals.
Weve literally been all over the world showing it.
That joke always works!
Its so simple!Abrahams: Ive had many different favorites over the years.
Like Leslie saying, What the hells going on back there?
and then you see the womans in stirrups and hes holding a speculum.
Not because its the funniest joke in the film, but its just odd, in a way.
Its not a clear play on words or anything.
Everyone get in crash positions, Ive always been fond of.
Its easy to see it more times.
I didAirplane!, I dont have to be funny.
Thats whatAirplane!is about.
Thats what I hope the legacy ofAirplane!, if there is any, is.
Why didnt that make your top 100 jokes?
Shouldnt that have been in one of the hundred?
IfBlazing Saddleshas five of them, then great.David Zucker: Well,Blazing Saddleswould probably have one.
ButAirplane!would probably have ten, dont you think?
But whatever you want to do is fine, I guess.
