Is there a comedy more perfect than “Airplane!”? I ask you. It’s in the list of the five perfect comedies ever made, and is definitely one of my top ten comedy films of all time, as well as one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s a film that appeals to folks who appreciate subtle comedy, raunchy comedy, silly comedy, and comedy that doesn’t require any thought at all. There are sight gags, puns, word plays, double entendres, and gratuitous nudity. There’s action, romance, suspense, stunts, and two jive talking passengers no one understands. There’s Kareem Abdul Jabar being Kareem Abdul Jabar, Peter Graves being a lunatic, Leslie Nielsen delivering the most genius deadpan comedic performance of his career, Lloyd Bridges who has an unusual history with recreational substances, and Ethel Merman for some reason.
Ted Striker is a man with a shady past as an air force pilot who has just board a plane his ex-lover is working on as a stewardess. Forced to recollect his times with her, he has to pilot the airplane back to the airport after an infected airplane dinner inflicts everyone an unusual illness that breeds eggs from their orifices. Now forced to confront his demons–which inspires everyone to commit suicide in response to for some reason–he has to pilot the plane and save everyone on board. All of whom happen to be standard dramatic devices including nuns, a sick girl, and the occasional Hari Krishna. Directors Abraham and both Zuckers create one of the few comedies that can guarantee almost a laugh a minute with a script that can be quoted until the cows come home. I’ve found myself in quoting matches with many a movie fan over the years, and to this day have yet to find a comedy film that has kept be laughing repeatedly without a single lull. “Airplane!” is a film that never lets up, offering multiple sub-plots and numerous characters and yet never actually feeling convoluted or confused.
There’s never the indication that there were too many cooks in the kitchen, as the script and every joke is pitch perfect in its delivery and landing. There are also numerous iconic scenes that live on in the comedy genre from the flight attendant bashing the guitar over every passenger’s head as she walks down an aisle, to the opening shot where the directors lampoon “Jaws.” What’s key to “Airplane!” is that most of the roles are played with dramatic intent, often defying the laws of physics. Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty deliver wildly opposite performances that offer their own impact of comedy throughout the story. Hays’ hopelessly self-involved and insane fighter pilot dealing with his demons is a consistent source of gaffs, while Hagerty and her mousy whisper allows her to defy expectations when stuck in mishaps like blowing the stuffing out of an inflatable pilot. Meanwhile Leslie Nielsen repeatedly mutters with Oscar worthy conviction, “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”
And the look of dread on character Billy’s face when he breaks the illusion of the film and begins razzing Kareem Abdul Jabar about his game is priceless because of Jabar’s almost genuine disgusted rant, and the young boy’s reaction of shock and horror. “Airplane!” takes every leap and bound in the realm of comedy and lands with pitch perfect precision every single time because it’s one big hysterical joke told with a straight face. And you just have to watch it at least a hundred times to pick up every single nugget of dialogue and comedy it has to serve its audience. In spite of banking on a time where disaster films were in vogue, “Airplane!” still hasn’t lost its luster and entertainment value. The team of Abrahams and Zuckers’ creates an unparalleled comedy gem that delivers a variety of comedy and performances that will surely appeal to anyone in the mood for a good laugh and an often brilliant combination of talent that’s never been topped, even to this day.