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Insert original theatrical poster for the 1980 American disaster comedy film
Airplane!. The poster's artwork, created by Robert Grossman, features the film's iconic image: a passenger jet tied into a literal knot.
Film Overview
Release Date: June 27, 1980.
Directors & Writers: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (often referred to as ZAZ).
Genre: Disaster comedy and spoof.
Parody Source: It is primarily a parody of the 1957 film Zero Hour!, borrowing its plot, characters, and even some dialogue. It also parodies the Airport film series.
Cast
The film is noted for casting actors previously known for serious roles in comedic, deadpan parts:
Robert Hays as Ted Striker.
Julie Hagerty as Elaine Dickinson.
Leslie Nielsen as Dr. Rumack.
Lloyd Bridges as Steve McCroskey.
Robert Stack as Captain Rex Kramer.
Peter Graves as Captain Clarence Oveur.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as Roger Murdock.
Poster Details
The tagline at the top, "What's slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall buildings at a single bound?", is a satirical play on the classic Superman introduction: "Faster than a speeding bullet... able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!". Another tagline on the poster is "Thank God it's only a motion picture!".
Stunts by Conrad Palmisano
The iconic artwork for the
Airplane! theatrical poster was created by the American illustrator Robert Grossman.
About the Artist
Robert Grossman (1940–2018) was a prolific illustrator and animator known for his satirical style and "airbrush-heavy" technique.
Signature Work: His most famous contribution to film marketing is the literal "airplane knot" featured on this poster, which has become an enduring symbol of the movie's zany humor.
Other Contributions: Beyond movie posters, Grossman was well-known for his political caricatures and illustrations for major publications like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and New York magazine.
Animation: He was also an Oscar-nominated animator, recognized for his 1977 short film Jimmy the C. |
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