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"...And don't call me Shirley" - The ZAZ (Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker) movies

Kojak007Kojak007
in General Movies & TV Posts: 142
Anyone here who likes the spoof movies of the "ZAZ"-team (David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker), who made such great films as "Naked Gun", "Top Secret!" or "Airplane!" ?

Personally, I love the comedy style of those movies. I think my favorite movie of them is "Airplane!" - still one of the best films of the genre.
Unfortunately, since they are rarely making movies today, the spoof genre isn't the same anymore. I didn't watch such movies as "Epic Movie" and even those David Zucker made weren't that great lately ("Scary Movie" 3-5 for example).

However, "hollywoodreporter.com" now reports David Zucker finally will direct a new movie, which is called "The Star of Malta". Apparently, the movie will be a spoof on classic film noir and caper movies, which sounds promising:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naked-gun-co-creator-david-zucker-spoof-noir-movies-star-of-malta-1235046710/

Set in late-1940s America, Malta follows prizefighter Joe Medina, newly released from prison for killing his opponent in the ring, as he pursues his love, Harriet Evans, to Hollywood. Hitchhiking west, he accidentally gains possession of a highly sought-after but cursed gemstone, known as The Star of Malta, and proceeds on an accidental murder spree, leaving a trail of people he never intended to kill.


I hope the movie will get made. Will you looking forward to this movie, too? And what are your favorite movies of the ZAZ-team?

Comments

  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 14,328
    However, "hollywoodreporter.com" now reports David Zucker finally will direct a new movie, which is called "The Star of Malta". Apparently, the movie will be a spoof on classic film noir and caper movies, which sounds promising:
    Yeah I'd like to see that @Kojak007. Airplane will probably always stand as the best, the others have their moments. Anything Police Squad! Top Secret! had some stuff.

    And don't forget Kentucky Fried Movie and George Lazenby as... The Architect!

    Kentucky Fried Movie: That's Armageddon (see 2:00, 2:33, 3:24)

  • mattjoesmattjoes feeds on your wishes
    Posts: 7,114
    Yeah. I like Airplane! but I love The Naked Gun, especially 1 and 2, and especially especially 2. So many wonderful gags. One of my favorites is Robert Goulet talking to the waiter in the foreground while "Nielsen" and "Presley" are performing a highly athletic dance routine in the background. Or Nielsen dropping through the skylight and getting covered in dirt only to be perfectly clean in the next shot.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,221
    The Naked Gun is probably my favourite film; it always cheers me up and makes me laugh, even though I've watched it perhaps 100 times now. And because I was a kid when I first saw it, I'm still spotting new references as I catch up with the films it riffs on, like Double Indemnity.

    Big fan of Top Secret! too.
  • Kojak007Kojak007
    edited July 2024 Posts: 142
    Kojak007 wrote: »
    However, "hollywoodreporter.com" now reports David Zucker finally will direct a new movie, which is called "The Star of Malta". Apparently, the movie will be a spoof on classic film noir and caper movies, which sounds promising:

    Sadly, the movie never went into production until now. Very sad, I was really looking forward to this one. One of many movies who has problems going into production nowadays...
    However I saw the movie received a tax credit approval from the California film commission in April. How much does that increase the chances for the movie going into production, does anyone know that?

    Recently, I watched the "Police Squad!" series once again - still a very funny show, too bad it was canceled after six episodes.
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,736
    Yes the rapid fire jokes and sight gags weren't made for TV viewing. I have often wondered why a Netflix or a Prime didn't do the series and update for today. I think it would play well on a streaming service.

    They were classic shows. I was happy to see many of the gags were used in the Naked Gun movies. BTW is Liam Neeson's version of Drebin ever coming to a big or small screen?
  • mattjoesmattjoes feeds on your wishes
    Posts: 7,114
    ...and Leon's getting larger!
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 2,174
    I love airplane. There is so much going on in that film that it must be watched several times. A lot that goes right over the heads of today's audiences. And then there is the completely unfunny Airplane 2. Hard to imagine how that film got made. It was as if Airplane had used up everything funny on the planet and there simply wasn't anything left.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,372
    Captain, how soon can you land?

    I can’t tell.

    You can tell me, I’m a doctor.

    No I mean I’m just not sure.

    Well can’t you take a guess?

    Well, not for another two hours.

    You can’t take a guess for another two hours.
  • Kojak007Kojak007
    Posts: 142
    It seemed David Zucker's new noir spoof "Star of Malta" is not moving forward, but apparently it's listed on today's issue of Production Weekly:
    https://www.productionweekly.com/production-weekly-issue-1445-thursday-march-20-2025-179-listings-38-pages/

    However, I'm not able to read the document, so I'm not even sure if it's this project.
    Hopefully the movie will be made, I still think spoofs could work today, if done well.
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'
    Posts: 9,208
    IMDb still lists it as "in development", but already provides a summary. Plus suggests readers contribute to the "top gap" in the information so far: "By what name was Star of Malta officially released in Canada in English?" Gee, I've been wondering about that all the time...
  • dragonskydragonsky
    Posts: 2,499
    Oooh, great, there's a thread for this.

    Shame they didn't consult Zucker for the new Naked Gun reboot, but I do kinda have expectatiosn for it
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,736
    Airplane dialogue

    Doctor "These people have to be gotten to a hospital."

    Flight Attendant "A hospital? What is it?"

    Doctor "A big building where doctors and nurses work to save lives but that's not important right now."

    The Naked Gun

    Drebin "Who did this to you?"

    Nordberg "I love you"

    Drebin "And I love you too Nordberg. Who were they?"

    Nordberg "Ship, boat."

    Drebin "That's right Nordberg a boat. When you are better will go sailing on a boat just like last year. Take a cruise out on the lake."

    Nordberg "No. Drugs"

    Drebin "Hey nurse give this man some drugs. Can't you see he's in pain."

    Nordberg "No Frank! Heroin. Heroin."

    Drebin "That's a pretty tall order Nordberg, going to have to give me a couple of days on that one."
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