Tools of Characterization
Characterization in Airplane!
Speech & Dialogue
Because ZAZ's comedic style depends heavily on wordplay, speech and dialogue is an essential tool for characterization in Airplane!. Because every bit of dialogue is either a joke or the setup to one, every spoken line is essential. Even if it's pretty much completely unintelligible.
ZAZ lifted much of the dialogue in Airplane! straight from the 1957 disaster flick Zero Hour! We get much of Ted and Elaine's backstory and character development from these borrowed lines, courtesy of disaster story maestro Arthur Hailey. The creators of Airplane!, as self described "joke writers" rather than "screenwriters," have acknowledged the importance of Hailey's screenplay in helping them craft a captivating narrative with nuanced (to a point) characters. Ted's a self-pitying mess of a motormouth, drowning in memories of his wartime failures. Elaine's a ditzy sweetheart, with a high-pitched baby voice and kooky delivery. Rex Cramer's terse, barking dialogue marks him as a military man. As Dr. Rumack, Leslie Nielsen's as encouraging and calm as you'd hope your doctor to be.
In fact, the deadpan delivery of much of the dialogue is intended to portray the folks involved in the crisis all as serious people. The dialogue itself, though, is plain nuts, and that's what creates the comedy.
Actions
One of the most important tools for characterization in a visual medium like film is action. ZAZ, as veterans of the visual-driven sketch comedy world, are no strangers to this idea Thus much of the humor, plot development, and yes, characterization in Airplane! arrives via action.
The absurdity of Ted's "drinking problem" only makes sense with the accompanying action, while Rex Kramer's brawl with the donation-seekers in the airport lobby demonstrates his aggressively no-nonsense personality. We see Tower Supervisor McCroskey slowly implode under the stress of the crisis despite his businesslike, in-control start. And of course, who could forget that fateful evening when Ted shared his first dance with Elaine. Ted's actions in facing his fears and landing the plane tell us all we need to know about his grit and his growth as a person.
Occupation
In Airplane!, we get a strong sense of each character's identity by their job. Ted is introduced to us as a cab driver—a profession which doesn't reflect his skills as a military pilot. We know he wanted a commercial aviation job but couldn't get one. So in his case, Ted's occupation is a reflection of his inability to take responsibility in his life and find a steady job after the war.
Meanwhile his foil (see our "Character Roles" section) Rex Kramer actually put his flying skills to use; judging from the size of his house, he's got a stable career as a commercial airline pilot. We know he's serious, hard working, and likely had little trouble adjusting back to society after the war. He's a tough dude.
Dr. Rumack's occupation suggests that he'll be calm in pressure situations. And indeed he is, as the only person who manages to hold things together on board. Besides, you can tell him anything; he's a doctor. As a stewardess (as they called flight attendants back in the day), we know Elaine will do her best to be friendly, helpful, and reassuring.