If the French Police had Inspector Clouseau, then God help the LAPD with Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) in charge of a case.
Based in part on a short-lived 1980s TV spoof cop show called POLICE SQUAD!, the creative team behind AIRPLANE! decided to resurrect the character for this cheerfully silly and funny movie.
Drebin is back from a Middle East mission, taking care of top military evil including Gorbachev, Amin and the then-Ayatollah, and is dealing with tragic injuries of Nordberg (OJ Simpson, CAPRICORN ONE) who is in a coma in hospital.
The trail leads him to businessman Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban), who appears to have an evil plan in place than might involve the assassination of Queen Elizabeth II (long term impersonator Jeanette Charles) on a State visit. Compounding Drebin’s emotions is Ludwig’s assistant, Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley in a very funny comedic role) and the two naturally fall in love. However, Ludwig is determined to carry out his mission….
The plot is cliched, but like AIRPLANE! you watch for the sight gags, of which there are many (the climactic one involving Nordberg at the baseball game is the funniest of the lot!)