Jive Talkin'

I was navigating my way through Comic-Con 2006, dodging costumed fans on my way up to the Sails Pavilion of the San Diego Convention Center, to see some of the celebrities and icons that were signing autographs on day one of the event. One I arrived at the crowded autograph area, I came across a small booth off the beaten path.

There was no line of fans eagerly awaiting their favorite sci-fi star or comic book author at this booth. There were just two people: a Comic-Con attendee from Utah on one side of a table and a tall African-American gentleman named Al White seated on the other side. If you don't know Al White, well, you're not alone. In fact, most attendees that day seemed oblivious to White's claim to fame. But there was a movie poster at the booth that said it all: "Airplane!"

White played a rather small but memorable part in the classic comedy. While his character didn't have a name, he was know as the "Second Jive Dude" and really only appeared in two scenes in the film. However, the scenes proved to be two of the most memorable and outrageous parts of a comedic masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

White was chatting with the Comic-Con attendee, signing an autograph and taking a photo with the young man, when Norman Gibbs came by the booth. Gibbs played the role of "First Jive Guy," and he and White play two passengers on the doomed flight in "Airplane!" who speak in incoherent but humorous "jive." In their first scene, Gibbs and White talk to one another while hilarious subtitles translate their jive talk. In their second scene, White is suffering from stomach pains as a result of bad airline food. The duo ask a flight attendant for help, but she has no idea what they're saying, so an elderly woman, played by Barbara Billingsley (the mother on TV's "Leave it to Beaver") who speaks jive lends a hand and the three end up in a contentious argument.

Al White (left) and Norman Gibbs in 1980's "Airplane!"

Gibbs (left) and White at Comic-Con 2006

This was the first Comic-Con for White and Gibbs, who launched a Website last year called TheJiveDudes.com and have seen a resurgence in their popularity in the wake of 2005's "Airplane! The "Don't Call Me Shirley" Edition" DVD release. In fact, Gibbs and White took part in a recent cast and crew reunion and special screening of "Airplane!" hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which also featured stars Robert Hays and Peter Graves, among others. While the two actors have made a number of public appearances recently at other events, Comic-Con is on another level. I asked them what it was like to still be recognized and revered by "Airplane!" fans after so many years.

"It's fantastic," White said.

"It's been unbelievably great," Gibbs replied.
"Well, first it was fantastic - ," White said.
" - and then it was unbelievably great!" Gibbs said as the two laughed.

Clearly, they still have the banter down after more than 25 years. In addition, they're overwhelmed with the response from "Airplane!" fans who love to quote their memorable dialogue.

"It's really heartwarming to know the fans appreciate the film and the work we all did after so many years," Gibbs said. "Honestly, the fans know our lines better than we do!" That's surprising, since Gibbs and White came up with their own dialogue - as well as Barbara Billingsley's lines - for those scenes.

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