The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 American comedy film directed by David Zucker. It is a continuation of the television series "Police Squad!" created by Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker.
The film stars Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling, deadpan police detective Lieutenant Frank Drebin.
The plot centers on Drebin as he tries to thwart an assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Los Angeles. The story involves Drebin uncovering a conspiracy orchestrated by Vincent Ludwig (played by Ricardo Montalbán), a wealthy businessman who plans to use a hypnotized baseball player to carry out the assassination. Alongside Nielsen, the cast includes Priscilla Presley as Jane Spencer, George Kennedy as Captain Ed Hocken, and O.J. Simpson as Detective Nordberg.
Known for its slapstick humor, visual gags, and absurd comedy, "The Naked Gun" quickly became a cult classic. Leslie Nielsen's performance as Frank Drebin, with his perfect delivery of nonsensical lines and physical comedy, is widely regarded as a highlight of the film. The movie is filled with memorable scenes and quotes, and its humor often involves parodying the conventions of the crime and detective genres.
"The Naked Gun" was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $78 million worldwide against a modest budget of around $12 million. It spawned two sequels, "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear" (1991) and "Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult" (1994), both of which continued to follow the misadventures of Frank Drebin.
The film's legacy endures due to its influential comedic style, which blends deadpan delivery with outrageous situations, and its impact on the genre of spoof and parody films. Leslie Nielsen's portrayal of Drebin remains iconic, contributing significantly to his career as a beloved figure in comedy.