OVERLAY REPORT

In the 1988 film *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!*, the main characters' relationships are rooted in their long-standing professional history within the "Police Squad" unit, a special department of the police force. While the film introduces them as established colleagues, their true origin is the short-lived 1982 television series ***Police Squad!***, from which the film is a direct spin-off and continuation. ### **The Police Squad Trio** The core group of characters—Frank Drebin, Ed Hocken, and Nordberg—know each other from years of working together in the same unit. * **Frank Drebin and Ed Hocken:** Frank (Leslie Nielsen) and Ed (George Kennedy) are long-time colleagues and friends. Ed is Frank’s superior officer, the Captain of Police Squad. In the 1982 TV series, Ed Hocken was played by Alan North, but the character serves the same role as Frank's stable, supportive boss who often has to deal with the fallout of Frank's bumbling. * **Frank Drebin and Nordberg:** Frank and Nordberg (O.J. Simpson) are partners and best friends. In the film’s dialogue, Frank explicitly states that he and Nordberg have been **partners for nine years**. Their bond is central to the film's plot, as the primary investigation begins when Nordberg is shot and framed during an undercover narcotics operation, prompting Frank to return from vacation to clear his friend's name. (In the TV series, the character was named "Norberg" and played by Peter Lupus). * **Ted Olsen:** The "Police Squad" scientist (Ed Williams) also knows Frank and the team from their shared time in the lab. Ed Williams is one of the few actors who played the same character in both the original TV series and the film. ### **Frank Drebin and Jane Spencer** Unlike the police characters, **Jane Spencer** (Priscilla Presley) does **not** have a prior history with the group. * **The Meeting:** Frank meets Jane for the first time during the events of the 1988 film. He encounters her at the office of the wealthy businessman (and villain) **Vincent Ludwig**, where she works as a personal assistant. * **Nature of Relationship:** Their relationship begins as a professional inquiry; Frank visits Ludwig's office to investigate Nordberg's shooting, and Jane is tasked by Ludwig to "get close" to Frank to see what the police know. They quickly fall into a parodically melodramatic romance, which becomes a recurring element in the sequels. ### **Summary of Origins** | Character Duo | Known From | Specific Detail | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Frank & Ed** | Police Squad Unit | Colleagues since the 1982 TV series; Ed is the Captain. | | **Frank & Nordberg** | Police Squad Unit | Partners for 9 years; described as "best friends." | | **Frank & Jane** | Vincent Ludwig's Office | Meet for the first time during the film's investigation. | | **Frank & Ted** | Police Squad Lab | Long-term professional history in the force. |