Julie Hagerty (right) in Airplane! (1980).
Ryan Gosling isn't the first screen star to sport a pneumatic sidekick. While inflatable dolls may appeal to a select niche among filmgoers, they have a quirky but notable cinematic history. Among recent instances:
Airplane (1980)
Stewardess Elaine (Julie Hagerty) goes above and beyond the call of duty when Otto the Autopilot springs a leak. The film is a little dated, but the cheap laughs hold up.
River's Edge (1986)
Dennis Hopper appears as Feck, a dissolute dope dealer who bonds with a teenage killer. His only constant companion otherwise is Ellie, an inflatable sex doll.
You, Me & Dupree (2006)
Owen Wilson, as Dupree, moves in with a newlywed couple and soon shreds any notion of boundaries, including an awkward scene where his amorous moment with a blow-up doll is interrupted.
Evolution (2001)
Seann William Scott is a firefighter-in-training whose days are highlighted by practising his rescue techniques with an inflatable doll. At least until more important tasks come up, like fighting aliens.