4 a long time in the past, Police Squad! didn’t log a lot time with viewers however nonetheless lined up a formidable legacy. Following the success of 1980 spoof movie Airplane!, which made $78 million on the field workplace ($214 million as we speak) co-directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker hoped to make an identical comedy about law enforcement officials impressed by the Fifties Lee Marvin drama collection M Squad. Then-Paramount exec Michael Eisner, who had championed Airplane!, provided them six episodes on ABC and promised that the method could be freed from community meddling.
Police Squad! centered on bumbling officer Frank Drebin as performed by Leslie Nielsen, recognized for dramatic roles earlier than his crackup half in Airplane! “Leslie by no means let on that he was in a comedy,” David Zucker tells THR of the late star’s knack for deadpan humor. Co-starring Alan North, every episode kicked off with the homicide of a notable visitor, adopted by Drebin cracking the case. Among the many company have been William Shatner and Florence Henderson; John Belushi filmed a loss of life scene, however when the actor handed away a day after the pilot aired, his look was shelved. Police Squad! premiered March 4, 1982, and had critics in stitches — THR‘s evaluation praised the present for “hitting the bullseye with uncanny accuracy” — however had hassle locking up rankings, resulting in the collection’ cancellation after 4 episodes. The Police Squad! workforce had the final chuckle, as Nielsen’s Drebin returned for Paramount’s 1988 movie The Bare Gun, which David Zucker helmed.
After two sequels, a Bare Gun reboot hits theaters Aug. 1 with Liam Neeson enjoying Drebin’s son. Zucker feels burned to not be concerned however is proud that the present has been rediscovered: “It has actually gained a following.”
This story appeared within the July 9 difficulty of The Hollywood Reporter journal. Click on right here to subscribe.