# The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

> 1991 film by David Zucker

**Wikidata**: [Q502979](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q502979)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naked_Gun_2½:_The_Smell_of_Fear)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-naked-gun-212-the-smell-of-fear

## Summary
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear is a 1991 American comedy film directed by David Zucker, serving as the second installment in the Naked Gun series of crime comedy films. Released on June 28, 1991, it was produced by Paramount Pictures and continues the slapstick humor and parody style established in the original Naked Gun film.

## Key Facts
- Released on June 28, 1991, with additional release on August 8, 1991
- Directed by David Zucker, known for his work in comedy films
- Part of The Naked Gun series, a collection of American crime comedy films
- Produced by Paramount Pictures, an American film studio founded in 1912
- Classified as a comedy film, a genre emphasizing humor as the main focus
- Has 34 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia
- Also known by alternative titles including "The Smell of Fear," "Smell of Fear," and "The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear"

## FAQs
What is The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear?
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear is a 1991 American comedy film directed by David Zucker, serving as the sequel to the original Naked Gun film and continuing the series' crime comedy style.

Who produced The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear?
The film was produced by Paramount Pictures, a major American film studio that has been operating since 1912 and is a subsidiary of Paramount Global.

What genre does The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear belong to?
The film belongs to the comedy genre, specifically focusing on crime comedy, where humor is the primary emphasis throughout the narrative.

When was The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear released?
The film had its initial release on June 28, 1991, followed by an additional release date of August 8, 1991.

## Why It Matters
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear represents an important continuation of the successful Naked Gun franchise, which helped define the spoof comedy genre in the 1980s and 1990s. As a sequel to the original Naked Gun film, it maintained the distinctive style of rapid-fire jokes, visual gags, and parody of police procedural dramas that made the series popular. The film's production by Paramount Pictures, one of Hollywood's major studios, demonstrates the commercial viability of the comedy franchise model and contributed to the studio's portfolio of successful comedy releases during this era.

## Notable For
- Being the second installment in the successful Naked Gun series of crime comedy films
- Continuing the distinctive slapstick comedy style pioneered by director David Zucker
- Maintaining the parody format that satirizes police procedural dramas and action films
- Expanding the franchise's popularity and demonstrating the commercial potential of comedy sequels
- Featuring the return of Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling detective Frank Drebin

## Body
### Film Classification and Genre
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear firmly establishes itself within the comedy film genre, specifically as a crime comedy that emphasizes humor as its primary narrative driver. Comedy films, as a classification, focus on creating amusement and entertainment through various comedic techniques, and this film exemplifies the genre's ability to blend humor with other traditional film elements like crime investigation and action sequences.

### Production and Studio Background
The film was produced by Paramount Pictures, a major American film studio with a rich history dating back to its inception on May 8, 1912. As a subsidiary of Paramount Global, the studio has been instrumental in shaping American cinema across multiple decades. The studio's headquarters are located in the United States, and it operates within the film industry as a major content creator and distributor. Paramount Pictures' involvement in producing The Naked Gun 2½ demonstrates the studio's commitment to comedy franchises and their commercial potential.

### Series Context and Franchise Development
As part of The Naked Gun series, this film represents the continuation of a successful American crime comedy franchise. The series itself has established a distinctive identity within the comedy genre, characterized by its parody of police procedural dramas and action films. The franchise's success is evidenced by its multiple installments and the maintenance of consistent comedic elements across the series, including the return of key cast members and the preservation of the signature humor style.

### Release and Distribution
The film's release strategy included two distinct dates: June 28, 1991, and August 8, 1991. This dual-release approach may have been implemented to maximize audience reach across different markets or to accommodate various distribution channels. The timing of the release in 1991 places it within a significant period for comedy films, as the early 1990s saw the continued popularity of parody and spoof films in mainstream American cinema.

### Directorial Vision and Style
Directed by David Zucker, the film benefits from the director's established expertise in comedy filmmaking. Zucker's involvement ensures the continuation of the distinctive visual and narrative style that characterized the original Naked Gun film, including rapid-fire jokes, visual gags, and absurdist humor. His directorial approach has been influential in shaping the comedy genre, particularly in the realm of parody films.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The film's contribution to the comedy genre extends beyond its immediate entertainment value, as it helped establish and refine the conventions of modern spoof films. Its success demonstrated the viability of comedy sequels and influenced subsequent parody films in both style and structure. The film's preservation of the Naked Gun franchise's distinctive elements while introducing new comedic situations and characters helped maintain audience interest and contributed to the series' lasting cultural impact.

## References

1. [D.D. Howard - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397222/#credits)
2. The Movie Database
3. The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear. Rotten Tomatoes
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102510/releaseinfo)
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102510/technical)
7. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102510/technical/)
8. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0102510/)
9. Kinopoisk
10. Entertainment Identifier Registry
11. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/naked-gun-2-1-2/)
12. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=36189.html)
13. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
14. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/77215)
15. Online-Filmdatenbank
16. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=14373)
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/33E4-8146-E514-102B-5704-T)
20. Danish Film Database
21. Trakt.tv
22. FilmVandaag.nl