R.I.P., Peter Yarrow, who made his musical mark as a folk singer, but let us never forget that - in addition to being the "Peter" in Peter, Paul and Mary - he wrote the song "River of Jordan," which was sung by Lorna Lembeck (the stewardess) to Jill Whelan (the sick girl) in AIRPLANE!
Peter was one of the final interviews I did for the AIRPLANE! book, and I know exactly where I was when I conducted it: on the phone in my hotel room at the Langham in Pasadena during the 2022 Winter TCA Press Tour.
Since I can, I'll share Peter’s story from the book. It's pretty great, and I'm so glad that I was able to talk him to him in time. He was thoroughly amused at having the opportunity to be interviewed for the book, particularly when I told him that David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker had long believed that he was pissed at them for the way they used his song. I only wish that I'd been able to talk to Peter about other facets of his career as well, but given how pleasant the conversation was, I'm happy that we had the chance to talk at all. If the only conversation you’ve had with someone is a pleasant one, then you’ve done all right.
"In the '70s, I would go to Snowbird, the ski resort in Utah, and I'd bring the family, and they'd give me a week to ski if I'd play on New Year's Eve. That was a good deal, because it was a costly sport, and they'd give me lessons and ski passes. Anyhow, that year, the Kennedy family, who would usually go elsewhere for the holiday, there was a picket line there, so instead they came to Snowbird. And because Peter, Paul and Mary not only played for JFK but were deeply connected to the family, I was invited to come over to where they were staying, and I played for the family. And at the end of that, Teddy Kennedy wrote me a note saying that 'River of Jordan' was his favorite song, and he was so grateful to me for having played it.
"When I got the call that there was interest in licensing the use of that song for Airplane! to sing to the sick girl, I said, 'Oh, God, I can't do this. What if Ted Kennedy sees it?' [Laughs.] "And I read the script, and I said, "Oh, Jesus, there's no point in my worrying about that. This thing will never get off the ground!' So with an absolute assurance inside myself that it was not a problem whatsoever, because the movie was destined for failure, I went ahead and licensed the song."
"Then I'm out on an organizing trip to L.A. to do something with a group I worked with called The Bridge, and there I was in the hotel. I was tired, so I lay down on the bed, I turned on the TV, and what to my eyes did appear but that very section of the film. And I'm laying there, watching in horror, thinking, 'There's no way this isn't gonna get to Teddy Kennedy...'"
"So that's the story, and it was the most bizarre turn of events, but it was also a reminder that you've got to watch your P's and Q's or you're gonna get bitten in the ass."
"Now, having said that, Airplane! was one of the funniest films I'd ever seen in my life. It's ironic, isn't it? The way it worked out, not only was the use of the song not objectionable, but I consider the film to be a hallmark of what is human, good, and fun and generous within ourselves. Some of those lines...I still say them! They've entered the culture in such a delightful way. It was sensational. So not only am I not mad, I ask you to please give the guys my warmest regards!”