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

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

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

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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.

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.

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.
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.

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.