You’d think academia and Airplane! wouldn’t mix, but that’s exactly what’s happening tonight at the Coolidge Corner Theatre for their regular series Science on Screen. MIT professor and aviation expert John Hansman will be available prior to the screening to discuss automation systems in modern flight procedures, explaining how they help actual pilots and aide in emergencies. If you’ve seen the film, you know a certain inflatable pilot does exactly that. When food poisoning manages to incapacitate most of the passengers and those flying the plane, which includes Kareem Abdul-Jabar for some reason, it’s up to traumatized ex-jet fighter Ted Striker (Robert Hays) to take control and conquer his demons. Also onboard is his jilted lover Elaine (Julie Hagerty) who he’s trying to win back, the stoic Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielson) as well as Air Force commander Rex Kramer (Robert Stack) and control tower supervisor Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges) trying desperately to guide the plane to the ground. Boasting joke after joke of hilarious non-sequitur humor, I dare anyone still breathing not to enjoy the antics projected. Who doesn’t want to get smart before watching something so stupidly good?

7pm // Coolidge Corner Theatre // $10.25 Adult, $8.25 Senior/Student