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The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! poster

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

year 1988decade 80sdirector David Zucker

85 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Leslie Nielsen Lt. Frank Drebin
George Kennedy Capt. Ed Hocken
Priscilla Presley Jane Spencer
Ricardo Montalban Vincent Ludwig
O.J. Simpson Nordberg
Dick Vitale Baseball Announcer
Lawrence Tierney Angel Manager
Rick Seaman Ya dumb broad!
Nicholas Worth Thug #1
Raye Birk Pahpshmir
Susan Beaubian Mrs. Wilma Nordberg
Jeannette Charles Queen Elizabeth II
Ed Williams Ted Olsen
Winifred Freedman Stephanie
Joe Grifasi Pier32 Dockman
Tony Brafa Enrico Pallazzo
Reggie Jackson Angels Right Fielder
Curt Gowdy Commentator
Jim Palmer Commentator
Tim McCarver Commentator
Mel Allen Commentator
Dick Enberg Commentator
Joyce Brothers Herself
John Houseman Driving teacher

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Kyle Brandtproducer Craig Horlbeck
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Half-Assed Internet Research

Television origins; box office; casting; reused scenes; baseball production

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:23Read transcript
  • The short-lived Police Squad series supplied recycled jokes and the film’s subtitle; its six-episode run, early cancellation and Nielsen Emmy nomination are recalled.
  • Ebert reportedly called Nielsen the Laurence Olivier of spoofs.
  • The film reportedly cost12million, grossed154million and ranked eighth in1988, leading to two sequels.
  • A reported Cameron anecdote says Simpson was considered too likable to play the Terminator’s ruthless killer.
  • A Spy article reportedly traced borrowed or parodied material to Get Smart, Pink Panther, Telefon and Farewell My Lovely.
  • The real queen reportedly later attended an Orioles-Athletics game and met Jackson in the dugout.
  • The film, A Fish Called Wanda and Who Framed Roger Rabbit all reportedly used steamroller deaths in1988.
  • A dancer credited as Johnny Disco reportedly performed Drebin’s umpire dancing.
  • Ludwig feeding fish reportedly parallels Game of Death; stabbing the fish with a pen is not claimed part of the original.
  • The desired Brewers became the Mariners; the Dodgers allegedly rejected team involvement but allowed the stadium. Exterior, establishing and action shots are identified as Angels, Wrigley and Dodger venues.

Apex Mountain

Zucker team; Arbor Day; Priscilla Presley as an actress; villain toupees

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:16Read transcript
  • The film is considered the Zucker team’s pinnacle among Top Secret, Ruthless People and later spoof work.
  • Nielsen is proposed here but a later peak with the more profitable second film and ensuing roles is argued.
  • Arbor Day is affirmed.
  • Simpson is rejected.
  • Umpiring may be at its apex because the umpire names were familiar; De Niro behind the plate in The Fan is called a terrible scene.
  • Kennedy and Jackson are rejected, with Jackson’s three-homer World Series game cited.
  • Montalban is rejected.
  • The California Angels are tentatively affirmed over the1986near-miss, specifically under the California name.
  • Presley is affirmed specifically as an actress.
  • Villain toupees are affirmed, prompting a Steve Sanders’s father hairpiece tangent.

The Ron Burgundy Flute Award for the Best Time for a Pee Break

Ludwig’s brief conversation with Jane

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:07Read transcript
  • The retired flute/pee-break category is recalled; no good break exists beyond a brief Montalban-Presley conversation.
  • The Ludwig-Jane conversation is timed at about60seconds without a gag, the longest available break.

What’s Aged the Best?

Straight acting; opening credits; refrigerator; timeless jokes; announcers; baseball authenticity

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:36Read transcript
  • Serious actors playing absurd situations straight are credited as the comedy’s essential technique.
  • The police-siren opening credits traverse a roller coaster, house, car wash and women’s showers.
  • The ancient food and iced-over freezer make Drebin’s refrigerator memorable.
  • The comedy largely avoids cheap racial or gay-character targets, with the opening world-leader scene acknowledged as an exception.
  • I was young, I needed the work and I faked every orgasm became reusable personal jokes.
  • The crowded booth of familiar baseball announcers anticipates excessive studio panels.
  • Drebin clinging to exaggeratedly endowed statues remains funny.
  • Nancy Marchand’s seriousness, the romantic voice-over interrupted by collision, bad driving and the final reconciliation are praised.
  • Throwaway jokes reward rewatches: Yasser’s name tag, Gorbachev’s mark, the gymnast lover, chalk outline, hospital name, beaver, Viking food, lost narration, tearaway suit, bingo, innocent condemned man, building contractor and rain check.
  • Convincing baseball action and authentic teams distinguish the finale.

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:22:55Read transcript
  • Ebert’s3.5stars and praise for goofy fun are welcomed; the film is preferred to his comparison A Fish Called Wanda.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Baseball finale, especially the anthem

In the discussion (17)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:56Read transcript
  • Nordberg’s dock mishaps escalate through gunshots, head impact, burns, wet paint, a trapped hand, cake and a bear trap; the physical comedy is praised.
  • The hospital visit combines the collapsing bed, grotesque ways to die, giant mucus gag and an immediate meal break after promising tireless justice.
  • The live-microphone bathroom scene is favored for escalating pauses, renewed urination and the final fart; Austin Powers’s similar gag is compared but credited as later.
  • The Pier32 bribe negotiation recycles a Police Squad routine by passing the same20dollars back and forth.
  • The runaway parked car and shooting at it introduce the gadget-lab visit.
  • The anti-graffiti wall, Swiss Army shoe and tranquilizer cufflink demonstration on Ed form the gadget sequence.
  • The giant Al is only shown from the shoulders down; the use your other eye gag keeps the jokes coming.
  • The evil-doctor chase commandeers Stephanie’s driving lesson and features distinguished instructor Houseman.
  • The nothing-to-see-here fireworks disaster remains a widely usable reaction meme.
  • The falling-in-love montage moves through beach, food, tattoos, mustard and rides, culminating in laughter after Platoon and the reveal they met yesterday.
  • The anthem impersonation cuts to the real Palazzo bound in his underwear.
  • Baseball bloopers feature a struck infielder, tiger and detached head; the queen passes concessions and endures crude spectators.
  • Drebin’s umpiring escalates from unsure strike calls to crowd-pleasing theatrics, cheating checks and the rundown.
  • Jackson’s sudden assassin role supplies the I must kill the queen refrain.
  • The spectator identifying the hero as Enrico Palazzo is praised as an unnecessary extra joke that earns a huge laugh.
  • The obvious Jane mannequin and Ludwig’s car, steamroller and marching-band death provide additional climactic gags.
  • The baseball finale is the agreed winner, especially the anthem; real Mariners and Angels identities make it stronger.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Simpson; dated world-leader references; safe-sex gag; Presley’s career

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:41Read transcript
  • Simpson’s later murders dominate the aging-worst discussion; the third film’s proximity to the1994killings makes the comic role difficult to separate from real life.
  • The opening world-leader caricatures depend on once-familiar news faces that younger audiences may not recognize.
  • The full-body safe-sex condom gag is disliked even in its original context.
  • Presley’s limited later career disappoints one view of her potential; another questions whether the role demonstrated transferable acting ability, while defending her hurt reaction to the garter belt.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Modern athlete comparisons; game validity; Palazzo’s future; older comedy leads

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:55Read transcript
  • Modern analogues for Simpson’s fame move through Peterson, Moss and Lynch before Barkley is favored for athletic greatness followed by greater post-career affection.
  • Big Papi and Griffey are suggested as modern Jackson analogues.
  • Overcrowded sports booths and the anthem Mount Rushmore are recalled as questions already covered.
  • The interrupted game should be void because an impostor umpired it; restarting later is compared with the pine-tar dispute, earthquake World Series and Hamlin cancellation.
  • Nordberg’s balcony fall is considered fatal, adding another reason play would stop.
  • Palazzo might gain talk-show notoriety but sue police and the Angels for the damage to his real career.
  • Nielsen’s popularity with children as a62-year-old comic lead is considered unusual because the film is not a senior-citizen premise.

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

The Naked Gun

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:31Read transcript
  • The existing title is liked despite uncertain meaning; avoiding confusion with Police Academy reportedly motivated the change from Police Squad.

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

“Olympic gymnast, best sex she’s ever had”

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:32Read transcript
  • The50percent-chance-of-living/10percent-chance-of-that joke is nominated and compared with Anchorman.
  • Taking chances by waking, crossing a street or sticking a face into a fan is nominated.
  • Life isn’t always fair; next time I shoot someone I could be arrested is nominated.
  • Cops and women are compared with Drano that cleans but leaves one hollow.
  • Newly noticing birds, dew and stoplights is nominated.
  • The Olympic-gymnast best-sex description is the personal favorite; Drebin’s gun-happy shooting of Julius Caesar actors is also enjoyed.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Nielsen should have been a bigger star; funniest1980s movie

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:10Read transcript
  • Nielsen should have become a bigger star; his disturbing dramatic work in Nuts and Prom Night is contrasted with his later comic persona.
  • The Naked Gun is argued to be the funniest1980s film because it never diverts from jokes; Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Coming to America and Vacation are compared without a formal ranking.

Casting What-Ifs

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:09Read transcript
  • Bo Derek was reportedly wanted as Jane.
  • Scully and Costas reportedly missed the announcing scene because of scheduling.
  • Kennedy reportedly campaigned for a role after missing Airplane.

Recasting Couch

Original casting

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:52Read transcript
  • Derek, Lynda Carter, Jaclyn Smith and Markie Post are proposed as Jane alternatives.
  • Post may be too young; Welch is added and her later sequel appearance recalled, but the existing casting is ultimately retained.

Mount Rushmore for National Anthems

Gaye; Houston; Palazzo; Hendrix or Lewis

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:08Read transcript
  • Marvin Gaye’s1983NBA All-Star anthem is first; Whitney Houston’s Super Bowl and Enrico Palazzo are essential entries; the fourth spot is debated between Hendrix at Woodstock and Carl Lewis, while Fergie is floated.
  • Roseanne’s anthem backlash and Lewis’s infamous performance are recalled, with Charlie Steiner’s Francis Scott off-key joke praised.

Funny Singing in Movies

Dirk Diggler; Will Ferrell

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:01Read transcript
  • Funny singing candidates include Drebin, Ferrell’s Old School and Step Brothers songs, Lovitz in The Wedding Singer, Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding and Dirk in Boogie Nights; Dirk is preferred with Ferrell a finalist.
  • Afternoon Delight and Step Brothers’s closing song are added after the initial list; Anchorman2 singing is vaguely recalled.

Picking Nits

Security; baseball behavior; locations; toxic waste; killings; brawl; hypnosis commands

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:00Read transcript
  • The queen’s security seems excessive;1980s Diana fascination is offered as context.
  • The leadoff hitter takes three obvious strikes and Jackson wears a watch, both questioned as baseball details.
  • The suggestive freeway structures are said to be south of Orange County, inconsistent with the airport trip.
  • Toxic waste in a meatpacking plant is questioned; the dead man’s ring later supplies a joke one viewer previously missed.
  • Killing five Julius Caesar performers should cost Drebin his badge.
  • The stadium changes location, and the Mariners lack a reason to fight the Angels after Drebin tackles Jackson.
  • The crushed hypnosis controller’s changing target commands and programming logic are questioned.

Just One Oscar

Writers

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:22Read transcript
  • The writers receive the hypothetical Oscar for joke density.

Producer review

Enthusiastic; fast physical comedy suits younger audiences

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:30Read transcript
  • The invited reviewer loved two recent viewings, especially physical comedy, and argues the rapid joke density could suit younger TikTok audiences.
  • The film’s constant stimulation is defended as compatible with contemporary attention spans.
  • The humor lands despite anticipated cringe, and friends in their20s and30s reportedly share enthusiasm.

Really Fun Deleted Scenes

Musical credits montage; extended walk

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:40Read transcript
  • A musical credits montage was reportedly cut to end on the Nordberg gag; a shower-room detour was removed from Drebin’s walk.

More from the conversation

Choosing a spoof comedy departs from the pair’s usual action films; a Gatsby golfing anecdote introduces the claim that this is80minutes of near perfection.
Approx. transcript time · 00:03:06Read transcript
Airplane’s spoof lineage is praised for pursuing every available joke, with bingo and floating chalk-outline examples; diluted imitators and younger audiences’ reactions cause concern.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:57Read transcript
A ninth-birthday group viewing is remembered for helpless laughter; the eclectic ensemble combines sports, television and music associations.
Approx. transcript time · 00:07:57Read transcript
Nielsen’s long television career made his Airplane comic turn surprising, with repeated Love Boat and Fantasy Island appearances recalled.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:44Read transcript
Nielsen and Montalban are speculatively imagined as old friends because of Fantasy Island.
Approx. transcript time · 00:09:23Read transcript
The Naked Gun is preferred to Airplane for a less dated visual world; Airplane’s older celebrity references require period knowledge despite enduring jokes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:07Read transcript
The baseball montage prompted exceptional theatrical laughter; There’s Something About Mary’s zipper and hair-gel jokes are compared as personal peaks.
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:33Read transcript
Repeat theater visits recovered jokes drowned by laughter, while cable reruns and the short runtime increased rewatchability; bloated modern films are criticized.
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:25Read transcript
Nielsen’s top-ten-Canadian status prompts an informal set of names: Carrey, Candy, Aykroyd, Gretzky, Myers, Adams, McAdams and Bret Hart; Michaels is disfavored as a nonperformer and Hart jokingly placed first. No settled ten-item ranking is delivered. A final wrestling name is unclear in the transcript.
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:53Read transcript
Later Nielsen spoof vehicles are considered a decline: the second Naked Gun works less well, the third’s Oscars climax is dated, and lesser parodies are likened to washed-up athletes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:47Read transcript
Montalban’s Khan and Ludwig villain roles are praised; Fantasy Island’s Mr.Roarke is interpreted as secretly sinister.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:41Read transcript
A Fantasy Island tangent recalls Hervé Villechaize’s troubled life and departure, compares premature television exits, and recommends the Dinklage portrayal.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:46Read transcript
Broadcasting experience makes the bathroom gag a lasting reminder to switch off microphones; accidental backstage remarks can remain audible.
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:33Read transcript
Road House’s knife boot is suspected of echoing the Swiss Army shoe.
Approx. transcript time · 00:33:48Read transcript
Five- and six-person television panels are criticized for starving contributors of time and rewarding overlong opening answers or host follow-ups.
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:22Read transcript
A cufflink-dart joke prompts a recalled confrontational DeAngelo Williams television appearance.
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:11Read transcript
Anchorman2 is reconsidered as underrated and a future episode possibility.
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:42Read transcript
Spoof’s evolution through Austin Powers, Scary Movie and Anchorman is contrasted with longer Apatow-era improvisation; this film’s precision depends on tightly scripted physical timing.
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:35Read transcript
The closing explicitly credits Craig, surname rendered Horlebeck, with production.
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:44Read transcript
Football-season anticipation and research plans close the episode; a future in-person recording is proposed rather than describing this session.
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:03Read transcript
An Austin Powers2 Rewatchables1999 rerelease is promoted for later in the week.
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:26Read transcript