Tag: Robert Hays

Airplane! [AKA Flying High] (1980, dir. Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker & David Zucker)

An ex-pilot with PTSD has to take control of a passenger jet when its crew are struck by food poisoning. Still-dazzling deadpan parody of 1970s disaster movies (and Zero Hour before them). Some gags and attitudes have dated, but the film’s commitment to strong jokes per minute astonishes. A weak sequel followed.

Here’s the trailer.

Airplane II: The Sequel (1982, dir. Ken Finkleman)

A mad bomber and a faulty computer threaten the first passenger Space Shuttle flight. Cash-in sequel to the far superior Airplane! with most of the same cast and jokes. A couple of great sight-gags aside, this is a shoddy money-grab.