When I was younger BBC2 used to put out a 1982 comedy programme from America called Police Squad about a bumbling police officer called Frank Drebin played by Leslie Nielsen who had made a name for himself as a comedy actor since his turn in Airplane!
Prior to that his career had been as much serious as fun roles, he is a very good serious actor, having been lucky enough to see Leslie play the one man role of Clarence Darrow.
What was shocking was that Police Squad only lasted 6 episodes and was not commission for a second season, but continued re-runs, much like Star Trek saw a demand for the return of Frank and just 7 years later in 1989, The Naked Gun (from the files of Police Squad) hit cinemas.
I have to be honest when I first saw this film, I thought it was one of the funniest films of all time but now you will raise a chuckle but not be in tears of laughter, however as with Airplane! (which is still hilarious) made by the same team, the film does stand up to repeated viewing, simple to spot all the jokes you miss the first time around.
The film opens up with Frank on a much-needed break (which for fun he stops a planned terrorist attack by stopping the likes of Idi Amin, Khadadfi and the likes of Arafat) on his return, Police Squad are on duty to look after the queen on her royal visit but Frank is desperate to clear the name of his fellow officer, Nordberg (played by O J Simpson) who has been set up on drugs charges.
Of course, all the storylines come together as in charge of the planned assassination is Vincent Ludwig (played by Ricardo Montalban, ideal as villain as had thrilled audiences as Khan in Star Trek II) who has devised a form of mind control, where he intends to plan the attack at a baseball game, making anyone in the stadium a suspect.
Despite all this, Frank still finds time for Romance with Jane (Priscilla Presley)
Whilst this may no longer be one of the funniest films of all times, there is plenty of fun to be had should you have not seen this film and 2 sequels Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult followed.
Jokes range from run away cars, tall assistants, safe sex, fish tanks and leaving microphone on to name a few so sit back and enjoy and look for further laughs with jokes within the end credits
This really is Leslie Nielsen at his funniest and not the shockers that occurred toward his career, Dracula: Dead and Loving it, Wrongly Accused and Mister Magoo to name but 3
Is this your favourite comedy film of all time? What is your favouite all time comedy film, we’d love to hear from you
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