On this day March 23 1984 Police Academy premiered in theaters. The comedy film starred Steve Guttenberg Kim Cattrall Bubba Smith Michael Winslow G.W. Bailey and George Gaynes. It followed a group of misfit recruits who join a police training program with hilarious results. The film became a surprise hit grossing over $150 million worldwide on a modest $4.5 million budget. Its success led to six sequels a TV series and an animated show. Police Academy became a staple of 80s comedy known for its slapstick humor and memorable characters like Michael Winslow’s sound effects expert Larvell Jones.
80s insight: Michael Winslow who played Larvell Jones performed all of his sound effects without any post-production enhancement making his role one of the most unique in film history.