Writer-director Jim Abrahams, who co-wrote and co-directed some of the most iconic comedy films of the 1980s including “The Naked Gun” and “Airplane!” (aka. “Flying High”), has died. He was 80. Abrahams died of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica according to his son Joseph in a statement issued to THR. Together with […]
“Airplane” is called “Flying High” in Australia because the film it spoofed was an Australian film.
What’s the name of the original?
I think it was Airport (not Airport 707). It was a Rank film.
Actually they changed the plot to make it less silly.
In the original, the WW2 pilot is on the ground and is lowered into the 707 from a helicopter through the front window. This is briefly referenced in Flying High when they lower the window like in the original.
Flying Sober.
I love how spoofing it meant 95% of the dialog and story was the same. What a classic.