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Writer's pictureRonny Duncan Studios

Airplane! (1980)

Updated: Jun 2, 2021


Plot Summary: This spoof comedy takes shots at the slew of disaster movies that were released in the 70s. When the passengers and crew of a jet are incapacitated due to food poisoning, a rogue pilot with a drinking problem must cooperate with his ex-girlfriend turned stewardess to bring the plane to a safe landing.


*Recognition: 2000: AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs – No. 10; 2005: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes: Ted Striker: "Surely you can't be serious." Dr. Rumack: "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley." – No. 79


What is this movie is about?: Spoof of disaster films that upends the regular comedic paradigm.


Best Performance: Zucker, Zucker, and Abrahams/Leslie Nielsen

Best Minor Performance: Leslie Nielsen/Robert Stack

Most Charismatic Award: Leslie Nielsen

Best Scene: Can I see the cockpit?

Favorite Scene: Acoustic Sing-Along/Autopilot

Most Indelible Moment: I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.


Best Line:

Dr. Rumack: Can you fly this plane and land it?

Ted Striker: Surely you can't be serious. Dr. Rumack: I am serious...and don't call me Shirley.


Honorable Mention:

McCroskey: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue/drinking/smoking/taking amphetamines.


Funniest Line:

Capt. Oveur: You ever been in a cockpit before? Joey: No sir, I've never been up in a plane before. Capt. Oveur: You ever seen a grown man naked?


The Stanley Rubric:

Legacy: 8.63

Impact/Significance: 9

Novelty: 9.25

Classic-ness: 6.25

Rewatchability: 7.75

Audience Score: 8.9

Total: 49.78


Remaining Questions:

  • N/A

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