Airplane!, a witty comedy movie, was broadcasted by Paramount Pictures in 1980. The comedy, created by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, was a satire of airline catastrophe movies that featured Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen and portrayed the tale of passenger airliners that was put in jeopardy when the staff became ill mid-flight.
The film was jam-packed with gags, many of which were performed by seasoned performers such as Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, and Lloyd Bridges.
If you’ve never seen Airplane!, you’re seriously losing out. One of the craziest movies of the 1980s is Airplane! It’s one of the finest movies ever made, with visual gags, weird situations, and laugh-out-loud lines.
20. Air Controller Macias: Captain, maybe we ought to turn on the searchlights now.
Rex Kramer: No… that’s just what they’ll be expecting us to do.
This is one of the most favorite quotes of the fans. It’s about the captain and Rex. Captain, perhaps we should switch on the searchlights right now.
No. That’s exactly how they’ll want us to do. I just wanted to wish you both well. We’re all looking to you. Okay, now just listen very carefully. At 300 feet, you ought to be ready to see the runway.
19. Steve: Sure is quiet out there.
Rex: Yeah, too quiet.
Steve: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue!
In the movie Airplane!, created by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, Steven McCroskey, played by Lloyd Bridges, says this line (1980).
Airplane! is a throwback to a period when individuals could easily walk around aircraft interiors and even pilots. Back then, stewardesses really provided food. Given all of the insane things that happen in airplanes! It’s highly possible that we don’t do either of these things today.
18. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your stewardess speaking… We regret any inconvenience the sudden cabin movement might have caused. This is due to periodic air pockets we encountered. There’s no reason to be alarmed, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your flight.”
Elaine Dickinson spoke this quote. Elaine Dickinson is the female lead, and she is the attractive sweetheart of Ted Striker, who is doe-eyed, gentle, and completely befuddled.
It’s one of the most famous movie quotes, “We regret any inconvenience the sudden cabin movement might have caused.”
17. Elaine Dickinson: A hospital? What is it?
Doctor: It’s a big building with patients. But that’s not important right now.
This is the scene where individuals begin to become terribly ill with gastrointestinal issues. Elaine explores the room for a doctor at the instruction of Captain Oveur.
She locates Dr. Rumack, who was fortunately quickly identified due to the stethoscope that is now in his earlobes.
16. Elaine Dickinson: Would you like something to read?
Hanging Lady: Do you have anything light?
Elaine Dickinson: How about this leaflet, “Famous Jewish Sports Legends?”
This a very funny joke from airplanes because there are fewer Jews in sports as compared to others.
In one of the first sequences of the film “Airplane,” an elderly woman requests some light reading material from a flight crew. The stewardess, in turn, offers her a pamphlet listing “renowned Jewish sports legends.”
15. Captain Oveur: You ever been in a cockpit before?
Joey: No, sir, I’ve never been up in a plane before.
Captain Oveur: You ever seen a grown man naked?
Returning to the cockpit, Captain Oveur communicates with Denver, who informs the passengers that they are nearing some bad weather. Meanwhile, an ecstatic Joey enters the cockpit. Despite Captain Oveur’s bombardment of frivolous inquiries, Joey remains enthused.
The monotone approach, which Airplane! Expertly employs to underline the insanity of the conversation and events depicted, making this potentially foul humor work.
14. Male announcer: Listen, Betty, don’t start up with your white zone shit again. There’s just no stopping in a white zone.
This is when the male and the female announcers of the airplane start fighting, and the female announcer replies to this with, “Oh really, Vernon? Why pretend? We both know perfectly well what this is about. You want me to have an abortion.”
13. Young Boy with Coffee: Excuse me, I happened to be passing, and I thought you might like some coffee.
It’s about a guy holding a cup of coffee. He asks a little girl if she would like some, to which she replies that it was very sweet of him to offer her a cup of coffee and that she doesn’t want any cream on her coffee because she likes it black, just in the same way she likes black men.
12. Ted Striker: I came home early and found your note. I guess you meant for me to read it later. Elaine, I’ve got to talk to you.
Ted Striker is clueless. He’s completely unaware. And, based on the empty expression on his face, we get the impression that he’s not the most mentally balanced man on earth.
He’s acquired a significant problem with alcohol, which includes his inability to raise a cup to the proper region of his face, resulting in his drenching himself on each occasion. He’s a shambles.
11. Johnny: Why, that’s the Russian New Year. We can have a parade and serve hot hors d’oeuvres…
This was a conversation started by Ted Striker where he says, “Mayday! Mayday!” Steve McCroskey says, “What the heck is that?” to which Johnny replies – “Why, that’s the Russian New Year.
We can have a parade and serve hot hors d’oeuvres…”
10. Doctor: I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.
In the picture Airplane!, Dr. Rumack, portrayed by Leslie Nielson, says this statement (1980). Until John Travolta produced a kid’s story about flying, Airplane! was the most hilarious airplane-related calamity. Airplane!, on the other hand, is far more clever and witty. It is one of the best airplane movie quotes, for sure.
Ted Striker (Robert Hays) learns that the captain and copilot of Trans American Flight 209 have both died of contaminated food. Dr. Rumack asks Striker whether he can handle and make an emergency landing. Striker replies, “Surely you can’t be serious,” Rumack said, straight-faced, “I am serious.” And don’t call me Shirley.”
9. Steve Mccroskey: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.
Steve McCroskey is the tough, rapid-talker Chicago aviation expert who tries everything he can to assist the jet land.
He also appears to have chosen the incorrect week just to stop smoking, let alone drink and sniff glue. The part is modest but memorable, and actor Lloyd Bridges gives his all out in it.
8. Joey: Wait a minute. I know you. You’re Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! You play basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers!
Roger Murdoch: I’m sorry, son, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Roger Murdoch. I’m the copilot.
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes a spectacular appearance as co-captain Roger Murdoch in Airplane! Key “mistakes” Murdoch for the famed hoopster, a prank on which the crowd is all in on. Kareem was a major NBA superstar at the time this story was filmed.
7. Elaine Dickinson: What’s his problem?
Ted Striker: That’s Lieutenant Hurwitz. Severe shell shock. He thinks he’s Ethel Merman.
Despite being one of the lighter sequences in the film, this is a pretty brilliant way to remark on the ridiculousness of battle, this example, PTSD, as it impacts the inmates at the military psych facility. Ted adds, “War is hell.”
6. Elaine Dickinson: What’s hurt you the most is your record since the war. Different cities, different jobs, and not one of them shows you can accept any real responsibility.
When Airplane! was published in 1980, the Vietnam War was still relatively fresh. Ted’s situation is comparable to that of many returning soldiers attempting to assimilate as contributors to society.
5. Ted Striker: That’s the way I’ve always wanted it to be, Elaine.
Elaine Dickinson: But it won’t be. Not as long as you insist on living in the past!
Elaine clearly does not comprehend the magnitude of Ted’s trauma. It’s undoubtedly crucial for Ted that his family and friends don’t see his grief as authentic. Flashbacks are not the same as “living in the past.”
4. Captain Oveur: Alright, give me Hamm on Five Hold the Mayo.
This is the kind of irreverent language that defines Airplanecomedy. ! ‘s However, the fact that it is performed in flawless monotone by the well-established solemn actor Peter Graves plays on the audience’s preconceptions, heightening the show’s humor.
3. Elaine Dickinson: Also, Supperware products are ideal for storing leftovers to help stretch your food dollar.
This vignette from Elaine and Ted’s Peace Corps service may appear to be trash. Still, it refers to the weird cultural phenomena of the “Tupperware party,” in which individuals gather at one other’s houses to buy plastic containers.
2. Dr. Rumack: Sometimes, when the crew is up against it, and breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they’ve got and win just one for the Zipper.
Dr. Rumack’s motivational address is a parody of a lecture given by a teenage Ronald Reagan in his famous film Knute Rockne, All American.
That just so occurred that “the Gipper,” as Reagan was affectionately known, would be elected American president a few weeks after the premiere of Airplane!
1. Kramer: Don’t be a fool, Striker; you know what a landing like this means, you more than anybody. I’m ordering you to stay up there.
Ted Striker: No dice, Chicago. I’m giving the orders, and we’re coming in. I guess the foot’s on the other hand now, isn’t it, Kramer?
Ted’s renewed courage and assertiveness assist our hero in regaining Elaine, and the two live a happy life ever after, at least till the follow-up arrives.
