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Airplane!’s Creators Reveal the Origins of ‘Don’t Call Me Shirley’
VultureStory by Unknown
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Comedy legends reveal how one of cinema's most iconic lines nearly never made it into the hilarious disaster movie classic 'Airplane!'
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- According to creators Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, the 'Don't call me Shirley' line was almost cut from the film due to concerns it wouldn't land with audiences.
- Leslie Nielsen's deadpan delivery of the now-legendary quip is credited with saving the entire scene and becoming a defining moment in the cult-favorite comedy.
call sheet
Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, Leslie Nielsen, Airplane!, Airplane!