Cult Classic Corner! Jack Says “Don’t Call Me Shirley!” After Meeting David Zucker & Jim Abrahams! We’re Talking About Airplane!

It’s CCC Time!

Check out this weeks Cult Classic Corner after the jump!

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Don’t call me Shirley! Sorry boys and girls for not being as proactive with my Cult Classic Corner. Hopefully I can make up for it in the coming weeks. One of my all time favorite comedies has to be “Airplane,” the quintessential spoof movie and arguably one of the ten greatest comedies ever. Thanks to this film I was first introduced to Leslie Nielsen and the dynamic directing trio of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker.



Back in the 70s, many (can I say plethora) of disaster movies were released with aging Hollywood stars like Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, etc. Something of them are pretty ridiculous, but none were more interesting than the “Airport” films. As a result, we received one of the greatest comedy gems and really cemented the new genre of “spoofs” and parodies” with “Airplane!”



Former fighter pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) has hit a few bumps in the road. He’s no longer able to hold down a reasonable job, can’t overcome a fear of flying and his girlfriend Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) has left him. Hoping to win her back, he jumps aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Chicago, which Elaine is working in hopes of winning her back.



After dinner has been served, many of the passengers have become ill and a fellow passenger, Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) suspects his fellow passengers have food poisoning from the fish that was served. Unfortunately for everyone, this includes the pilots on the plane and its up to Striker to save the day. 



The hilarious film features some of the most memorable comedic moments in the last 40 years and established Leslie Nielsen comedic career. This film is a great mixture of extended cameos, running jokes and wonderful one-liners. If you haven’t seen this film, you owe it to yourself to check it out.



A few years ago I attended a special screening of “Airplane!” with two of the creators, David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, in Los Angeles. Not only were both gentlemen extremely happy to discuss the film, but graciously swapped memorabilia so both could sign items fans presented them. That was really cool! Until the next time, happy autograph hunting!