Yes, had I seen this movie before the 1980 loving spoof, "Airplane!", I might not be laughing at lines which at first thought do not seem funny. As Paramount made both films, I'm sure it was easier to get the rights to spoof it than the "Airport" films of the 1970's which for the most part were big hits and made a bundle for rival studio Universal. The story of which "Airplane!" surrounded is the main story of "Zero Hour" which focuses on a troubled war pilot (Dana Andrews), separated from his wife (Linda Darnell) who follows her and their son onto a plane to try and win her back. Unfortunately, a sudden case of tainted food leads the two pilots into becoming ill, and Andrews, the only one with any flying experience, is suddenly thrust into the pilot seat, determined to land in time to get the ill pilots and passengers (which includes his son) to the hospital in time. With the help of his military commander (Sterling Hayden) whom he has unresolved issues with, Andrews strives to bring the plane down safely.
The tension of the serious event is nail biting and chair gripping, but in spite of the plot's seriousness, the temptation to laugh at the vastly similar script will take over even in the most serious of places. While "Airplane!" had basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the co-pilot, "Zero Hour" has football legend Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch as the captain, getting to repeat the scene with young Jerry Paris minus the double entendres. While she doesn't get the slap-down of Lee Bryant here, Fintan Meyler gets to initiate the hysterics that may leave you in stitches. Of course, the first patient to come down with food sickness gets the same treatment of doctor Geoffrey Toone, but while examining her tongue, he doesn't find any eggs. Every line in this film seems to lead to every one of "Airplane's" gags, so unfortunately, it becomes impossible to see this movie without comparing it to the other.
But in being serious (and not being called Shirley), the film must be looked upon for its own merits, and indeed, it is an amazingly entertaining and well acted film. Certainly, the idea of an entire plane coming down with food poisoning thanks to tainted fish does seem a bit silly on its own, but the film is nostalgic for its view of what airline service used to be like. The film is not overwhelmed with too many storylines surrounding the various characters on the plane or the antics of the air traffic control tower, but focuses mainly on the situation at hand, unlike "The High and the Mighty" from just three years before this which had too much going on. Andrews and Hayden stand out with their strong, intense performances, and Darnell gets more to do than just sit around and be the worried little wife. Had "Airplane!" never been made, this film would definitely still be remembered, as it stands up on its own minus the melodrama which attracted Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers to the possibility of lovingly spoofing it.
The tension of the serious event is nail biting and chair gripping, but in spite of the plot's seriousness, the temptation to laugh at the vastly similar script will take over even in the most serious of places. While "Airplane!" had basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the co-pilot, "Zero Hour" has football legend Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch as the captain, getting to repeat the scene with young Jerry Paris minus the double entendres. While she doesn't get the slap-down of Lee Bryant here, Fintan Meyler gets to initiate the hysterics that may leave you in stitches. Of course, the first patient to come down with food sickness gets the same treatment of doctor Geoffrey Toone, but while examining her tongue, he doesn't find any eggs. Every line in this film seems to lead to every one of "Airplane's" gags, so unfortunately, it becomes impossible to see this movie without comparing it to the other.
But in being serious (and not being called Shirley), the film must be looked upon for its own merits, and indeed, it is an amazingly entertaining and well acted film. Certainly, the idea of an entire plane coming down with food poisoning thanks to tainted fish does seem a bit silly on its own, but the film is nostalgic for its view of what airline service used to be like. The film is not overwhelmed with too many storylines surrounding the various characters on the plane or the antics of the air traffic control tower, but focuses mainly on the situation at hand, unlike "The High and the Mighty" from just three years before this which had too much going on. Andrews and Hayden stand out with their strong, intense performances, and Darnell gets more to do than just sit around and be the worried little wife. Had "Airplane!" never been made, this film would definitely still be remembered, as it stands up on its own minus the melodrama which attracted Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers to the possibility of lovingly spoofing it.