October 18, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Airport 1975, a disaster movie that soared into theaters in 1974 and became a landmark film in the genre. Directed by Jack Smight and starring Charlton Heston, Karen Black, and George Kennedy, the film followed the intense drama of a Boeing 747 that, after a mid-air collision, must be flown by a stewardess (Black) while awaiting a daring rescue attempt. Known for its high-stakes tension and star-studded cast, Airport 1975 was a major box office success and is remembered for its over-the-top plot and sensational thrills.
As part of the Airport film franchise, which began with the Oscar-winning Airport in 1970, this sequel helped define the disaster film craze of the 1970s, with audiences drawn to its perilous scenarios and ensemble performances. While the film was intended as a serious entry into the disaster genre, its melodramatic elements and outrageous premise would later provide the perfect material for parody.
Five years after its release, Airport 1975 became the direct inspiration for one of the most iconic comedies of all time: Airplane! (1980). The creators of Airplane!, Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers, famously drew heavily from the plot of Airport 1975 to craft their slapstick masterpiece, flipping the drama of the original on its head and injecting humor into nearly every moment of suspense. The result was a spoof that has since become one of the most beloved comedies in cinematic history, solidifying Airport 1975’s place in pop culture beyond the disaster film genre.
As we celebrate its 50th anniversary, Airport 1975 remains a testament to a bygone era of Hollywood blockbusters and the film that inadvertently gave us Airplane!.
