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[katara]

Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Series:
N/A

Genre:
Nonfiction, History, Movie History, Humor, Advanced Readers Copy, Goodreads Giveaway, 1980s decade, Movie Trivia, Movie History Nonfiction

Publication Date:
October 3, 2023

Pages Numbers:
352

Read Date:
September 27th, 2023

Date Finished:
September 28th, 2023

Rating:
5/5

Blurb:

Surely You Can't Be Serious is an in-depth and hysterical look at the making of 1980's comedy classic Airplane! by the legendary writers and directors of the hit film.

Airplane! premiered on July 2nd, 1980. With a budget of $3.5 million it went on to make nearly $200 million in sales and has influenced a multitude of comedians on both sides of the camera.

Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy. With anecdotes, behind the scenes trivia, and never-before-revealed factoids – these titans of comedy filmmaking unpack everything from how they persuaded Peter Graves to be in the movie after he thought the script was a piece of garbage, how Lorna Patterson auditioned for the stewardess role in the back seat of Jerry’s Volvo, and how Leslie Nielsen’s pranks got the entire crew into trouble, to who really wrote the jive talk. The book also features testimonials and personal anecdotes from well-known faces in the film, television, and comedy sphere – proving how influential Airplane! has been from day one.

Four decades after its release, Airplane! continues to make new generations laugh. Its many one-liners and visual gags have worked their way into the mainstream culture. This fully organic expansion of the ZAZ trio’s fan-base, prompted solely by word-of-mouth, comes as no surprise to longtime fans. When all around us is in flux – laughter is priceless.

Review:

One of the things that I loved most about the Airplane! movies was their ability to poke fun at the traditional Hollywood blockbuster. They made fun of the high-flying dramas and the over-the-top action flicks that were so popular during the 80s. And they did it all with a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek humor that was impossible to resist.

Even though it's been years since I last watched an Airplane! movie, I can still remember many of the jokes and gags. In fact, I often find myself quoting them to my friends and family, who laugh along even though they haven't seen the movies themselves.

I think that's a testament to the enduring popularity of the Airplane! franchise. Even today, the movies hold up as some of the funniest and most clever comedies ever made. And for me, they'll always be a part of my childhood - something that I'll treasure and laugh at for years to come.

This book is a must-read for any movie buff or aspiring filmmaker. Through interviews and anecdotes, readers will learn about the challenges and successes that shaped these creators' careers. From the initial idea to the finished film, the book takes readers on a journey through the creative process of these industry icons. Additionally, the behind-the-scenes stories and insider information provide a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into making a movie. The book's trivia also adds a fun element, allowing readers to impress their friends with little-known facts about their favorite films. Overall, this book is an enlightening and entertaining read that is sure to appeal to anyone with a love for movies.

Final Thought:

Honestly, if you enjoyed the Airplane! movies, this book is definitely something to add to your collection.

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