RIP Leslie Nielsen, 1926-2010

I always find it a little more saddening than usual when a comedian is taken from us. Leslie Neilsen spent a lifetime bringing us laughs with his unique style of comedy. Today he passed away of pneumonia, aged 84. He starred in such timeless comedy classics as TV’s Police Squad, Airplane! and The Naked Gun series.

I’m writing this piece for Everything Exorcist in honour of a an understandably overlooked spoof film from 1990.

Starring alongside Linda Blair, Nielsen played Father Mayii in The Exorcist spoof film Repossessed. The movie was a universal flop but has found a nostalgic place in the hearts of many Exorcist fans– myself included.

Repossessed was released in the USA in September 1990, just one month after William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist sequel The Exorcist III: Legion. Blair has gone on record as saying both releases being so close together likely confused audiences and, as a result, both floundered at the box office.

I personally first saw The Exorcist at age 14 in 1994. This enabled me to rent and watch Repossessed soon after and I was able to enjoy all of the comedy in a refreshing way (not to mention a young age). Most audiences didn’t receive Repossessed in the same way, however, as many years had passed since the 1973 original it was spoofing.

I always found it neat that it starred Leslie Nielsen– the king of deadpan comedy– with Linda Blair seemingly reprising her role from the original film (although her character was named, likely to steer clear of copyright).

The film is packed with excruciating performances, mediocre jokes and a closing song that is poorly mimed and ridiculous within the plot– even for a spoof movie. But, it’s all good, harmless fun that certainly deserves the cult following it has earned.

Repossessed is nowhere near Nielsen’s best work, but it does highlight his unique style (he’s clearly in a class of his own) and brings me fond memories of discovering both him and his body of work– all thanks to The Exorcist. If ever I needed an excuse to watch it again, the passing of Leslie Nielsen would be it.

RIP Leslie Nielsen, 1926-2010.
Thank you and God bless!

After only existing on VHS for many years, Repossessed was finally released on DVD last year. You can order a copy via Amazon.com.

Join the forum discussion on this post