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Airplane!’s Creators Reveal the Origins of ‘Don’t Call Me Shirley’
VultureStory by Unknown
scrn logline
Comedy legends reveal how one of cinema's most iconic lines nearly never made it into the hilarious disaster movie classic 'Airplane!'
beat sheet
- 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!