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.
