Airplane! movie quotes: While he began his career as a serious actor, fans will likely remember Leslie Nielsen for his comedy chops, which he first gained notoriety for in Airplane!
In the 1980 surprise hit, Nielsen starred as the incompetent Dr. Rumack on an ill-fated flight.
"Surely you can’t be serious," an airline passenger tells Nielsen in the film.
"I am serious," Nielsen replies. "And don’t call me Shirley."
Nielsen died Sunday at age 84 due to complications from pneumonia. Here are a few more memorable Airplane! movie quotes and some video clips from the film:
Rumack: You’d better tell the Captain we’ve got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.
Elaine Dickinson: A hospital? What is it?
Rumack: It’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now.
Rumack: Captain, how soon can you land?
Captain Oveur: I can’t tell.
Rumack: You can tell me. I’m a doctor.
Captain Oveur: No. I mean I’m just not sure.
Rumack: Well, can’t you take a guess?
Captain Oveur: Well, not for another two hours.
Rumack: You can’t take a guess for another two hours?
Rumack: What was it we had for dinner tonight?
Elaine Dickinson: Well, we had a choice of steak or fish. Rumack: Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna.
Rumack: Elaine, you’re a member of this crew. Can you face some unpleasant facts?
Elaine Dickinson: No.
Airplane! – Don’t Call Me Shirley
Airplane! – Don’t Eat the Fish
