 |
| Jobeth Williams in Poltergeist (1982) |
😱DISAS-TOBER! 🎥 REVIEW: The Towering Inferno (1974)
The disaster trend of the 1970s peaked with The Towering Inferno!
The movie boasted a star-studded cast, cutting-edge special effects, and jaw-dropping stunts. It not only garnered a coveted Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, but also ruled the box office in 1974.
Paul Newman and Steve McQueen headline the impressive ensemble cast, each earning a lucrative $1 million for their roles in the film.
Architect Doug Roberts, portrayed by Newman, returns to San Francisco for the unveiling of his architectural masterpiece, The Glass Tower, an impressive structure constructed by builder James Duncan, played by William Holden.
However, things take a disastrous turn when a fire breaks out during the celebration, putting everyone on the upper floors in danger. This chaos is likely due to Duncan’s son-in-law played ruthlessly by Richard Chamberlain, who has been cutting corners.
Chief Michael O’Hallorhan, played by Steve McQueen, rushes to put out the flames and save those trapped inside, while Newman bravely navigates through the blaze to rescue as many people as possible. Meanwhile, guests are frantically trying to escape using stairwells, elevators, and even helicopters. The atmosphere is filled with tension. The impressive cast also features Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Jennifer Jones, OJ Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner, and Susan Flannery.
Inferno is famous for the behind-the-scenes rivalry between two Hollywood icons. To ensure that both Steve McQueen and Paul Newman received equal recognition, the credits were arranged diagonally. McQueen appeared on the lower left, while Newman was on the upper right. This layout allowed each actor to seem like they were at the top, depending on how you read the credits. This was the first time this clever "staggered but equal" billing method was used in a film. The competition got intense, with McQueen even counting Newman's lines to demand equal treatment. Interestingly, McQueen's character doesn't show up until an hour into the movie!
Another intriguing point is that McQueen was originally offered the architect role in the film but opted for the Fire Chief part instead. Even though it was a smaller role, McQueen's push for equal lines, screen time, and pay with Newman added an exciting element to the film. Newman, who faced challenges on set, still managed to create engaging tension that enhanced the story.
John Williams composed the music for the film, which was a collaboration between two major figures in Hollywood: producer Irwin Allen and director John Guillermin. Allen was well-known for his disaster movies and had achieved success with films like The Poseidon Adventure. He crafted the exciting, action-packed scenes while Guillermin expertly crafted the suspense, delivering some thrilling and intense moments. For instance, there's McQueen's desperate effort to save a group of people stuck in an elevator, and Newman who did his own stunts bravely attempts to help Jones and some kids who are trapped by a fallen stairwell.
Then there's Wagner's hopeless struggle to escape while Flannery is stuck in a suite that's on fire.
Plus, there's a dramatic rescue attempt from a helicopter that ends with explosive consequences.
Overall, it's really impressive stuff. Some of the subplots feel reminiscent of a lighthearted Love Boat episode, which was typical of disaster films from that era, adding a nostalgic and slightly campy layer that somehow works in its favor, making the film even more enjoyable and entertaining.
One storyline that always resonates with me is Astaire's role as a conman seeking love from Jones. While it may come off as a bit silly, Astaire delivers a solid performance, earning him an Oscar nomination—the only one he received throughout his illustrious career!
The Towering Inferno was a major success at the box office in 1974, receiving eight nominations for the Oscars, with Best Picture being one of them. In the end, it took home three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Song for "We May Never Love Like This Again," which was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn.
1940's Day at the Cincinnati Union Terminal
Embarking on a time-travel adventure in August, I found myself transported back to the glamorous 1940s at Cincinnati's iconic Union Terminal and Museum!
As seen on Local News 12, my family, friends, and fellow Cincinnati Actors Studio members joined me in immersing ourselves in the vintage festivities.
Each year, the Union Terminal transports visitors back in time to the 1940s, featuring classic cars, big band music, costume contests, vintage vehicles, swing dancing, and more.
Decked out in authentic or replica 1940s attire, we truly looked the part. Surprisingly, my fellow actors and I clinched the 2nd place in our respective divisions, a delightful cherry on top.
With actress Barbara Stanwyck as my inspiration, I delved deep into the era, meticulously studying the fashion and accessories. Donning an original 1940s sailor dress, vintage purse, gloves, earrings, and jewelry, along with era-appropriate shoes and pantyhose, I even adorned my hair with a delicate gardenia.
Stepping into the past was an absolute blast!
😱DISAS-TOBER! 🎥 REVIEW: Earthquake (1974)
"Who do you have to know to get a drink around here?"
This month, I'm sticking with my Disas-tober theme, so I decided to check out a movie my mom saw in theaters. It's the classic 1974 film Earthquake, which imagines what would happen when a massive 9.9 quake hits L.A.
%20newspaper%20ad%205.jpg)
Honestly, you all know I love a cheesy movie, but this one was a bit of a slog. A lot of it just didn’t click for me, and I felt pretty bored. But then when the BIG earthquake finally hits, it finally gets interesting. The special effects are the highlight and make it worth watching at least once. The visuals and sound are really impressive. My mom told me that the film used something called Sensurround, which was meant to enhance the audio experience during screenings. She said her seat shook!
Released on November 15, 1974, it features a star-studded with Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Genevieve Bujold, Richard Roundtree, and even a funny cameo from Walter Matthau, plus a young Victoria Principal with a wild afro that was her own. As for the acting, Heston is his usual wooden self, and Gardner’s character is so over-the-top shrewish that it’s hard to watch. Bujold’s performance is bad and so is the romance with Heston. And why was Lorne Greene cast as Gardner’s dad when they’re only a few years apart? The only performance I liked was George Kennedy as an angry and disillusioned cop.
After the earthquake hit, I found myself bored again.
Why would they choose to set up a hospital rescue in the lower section despite being warned about aftershocks?
Why should I be concerned about Marjoe Gortner, who plays a National Guardsman with a violent personality in the movie? Why do I not feel any connection to any of the characters, including Bujold's kid who goes biking when the earthquake hits? The list goes on.
I just couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters in the film or stories, so I found myself not really caring about what happened to them. Unlike The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno (which I'll be reviewing soon), where I really cared about the characters and their outcomes.
The editing is choppy, the subplots are weak and badly acted, and some of the cuts are completely illogical, making the story hard to follow. However, when the earthquake hits, the film truly shines with incredible practical effects. From miniature buildings to detailed matte paintings, the attention to detail is outstanding. Trust me, the earthquake scene will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Earthquake introduced a groundbreaking technique specifically designed for filming. They used a "shaker mount" camera system that simulated earthquake effects by shifting the entire camera body a few inches side to side, instead of just shaking it on a regular tripod. This created a much more realistic motion. This camera setup was mainly used for outdoor scenes and other on-location shoots. Additionally, Universal's sound team created a system called "Sensurround," which consisted of large Cerwin-Vega speakers powered by BGW amplifiers. This system produced sub-audible "infra bass" sound waves at an intense 120 decibels, similar to the noise of a jet taking off, allowing viewers to feel the earthquake's impact. The film also featured a large number of highly skilled stunt performers for the most dangerous scenes, like high falls and dodging debris, setting a record in Hollywood with 141 stunt artists involved in the production. There have been reports of audience members experiencing nosebleeds and broken ribs due to the Sensurround system.
 |
| My face as I watched Earthquake |
After witnessing all the chaos and destruction from the earthquake, a drunk Walter Matthau's is still just sitting there. It’s kind of funny! It seems like he didn’t want too much attention since he’s credited under the name Walter Matuschanskayasky.
I totally get where he's coming from. His face was like a mirror of how I felt. I guess I should've watched the movie like my mom did in 1974, but I was only a year old back then! 😆 She said it was a blast and I wish I could've been there to experience it.
 |
| The miniature sets |
Even though around 800 theaters in the U.S. and 2,000 worldwide could use the Sensurround technology, it was rarely utilized after the film Earthquake and faded away within five years. The only other films that used Sensurround were Midway in 1976, which was successful; the mostly forgotten disaster film Rollercoaster in 1977, which didn’t do well; and Battlestar Galactica in 1978, a strange re-edit of the TV series' initial episodes. After that, the technology was never seen again.
The film was directed by Mark Robson, with a screenplay by Mario Puzo and George Fox, and the music was composed by John Williams.
The concept of earthquakes led to the creation of the attraction Earthquake: The Big One at Universal Studios in both Florida and Hollywood.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)