Cinema
The Naked Gun
David Zucker · 1988
Synopsis
Frank Drebin, lieutenant in the Police Squad unit in Los Angeles, returns from Beirut and learns that his partner Nordberg has been riddled with bullets on the docks while trying to break up a heroin ring. Captain Hocken gives him twenty-four hours to clear Nordberg of all suspicion. The investigation leads him to Vincent Ludwig, a respected businessman who is sponsoring Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Los Angeles, and whose assistant, Jane, grows close to Drebin. During a reception in the queen's honour, Drebin sows chaos and is removed from the unit.
Context
The original series, broadcast by a national network in 1982, was cancelled after four of the six episodes shot, the network's president having explained, it is said, that one had to watch it in order to appreciate it; home video gave it an audience. The trio brought it to the screen six years later. Leslie Nielsen, chosen from the series onwards for his dignified and serious air, had been noticed in their disaster-film parody. The screenplay is by the trio and Pat Proft, the direction by David Zucker alone.
Who it is for
A comedy of an hour and twenty-five minutes with non-stop gags, in which Nielsen plays a blundering policeman without ever smiling.
Prizes and reception
Number one on release, nearly eighty million dollars at the United States box office, and two sequels, in 1991 and 1994.
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