The Towering Inferno

Director: John Guillermin John Guillermin

Overview

A skyscraper and an all-star cast go up in flames in Irwin Allen's classic disaster movie. To celebrate the construction of the Glass Tower, the world's tallest building, architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and builder James Duncan (William Holden) hold a gala bash on the highest floors. Trouble is, Duncan's son-in-law and electrical subcontractor Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain) installed faulty wiring throughout the 138-story behemoth to save money. While the guests -- including Doug's lady friend (Faye Dunaway), a rich widow (Jennifer Jones), a con man (Fred Astaire), and a politico (Robert Vaughn) -- enjoy the party, and a security guard (O.J. Simpson) wonders why his equipment is on the fritz, a burnt-out circuit breaker ignites some garbage on the 85th floor, swiftly turning the high-rise into, well, a towering inferno. With the guests trapped on the 135th floor, it's up to Roberts and Fire Chief O'Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) to find a way to stop the blaze. Though not the first all-star '70s disaster movie (1970's Airport and 1972's The Poseidon Adventure preceded it), The Towering Inferno was the most popular and the most spectacular. In a move that would become more common in late-'90s blockbuster Hollywood, The Towering Inferno's mammoth production was mounted by two studios; screenwriter Stirling Silliphant combined the two novels owned by the studios into one saga. 1970s "shake 'n bake" maestro Allen, with co-director John Guillermin (Allen did the action sequences), tapped into deep fears about the fragility of modern life in the face of extreme natural phenomena, as well as into the envies and insecurities of middle-aged professional men. The Towering Inferno packed theaters and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture; it won for Cinematography, Editing, and Song. While its heroic, no-nonsense men provided some traditional comfort, The Towering Inferno still might provoke second thoughts about going into a skyscraper.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/22/2021
UPC:	9317486004844
Original Release:	1974
Source:	IMPORTS
Language:	English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Steve McQueen	Chief O'Hallorhan
Paul Newman	Doug Roberts,Young Fireman
Bill Holden	Jim Duncan
Faye Dunaway	Susan
Fred Astaire	Harlee Claiborne
Susan Blakely	Patty
Richard Chamberlain	Simmons
O.J. Simpson	Jernigan
Susan Flannery	Lorrie
Norman Burton	Giddings
Don Gordon	Kappy
Felton Perry	Scott
Gregory Sierra	Carlos
Ernest Orsatti	Mark Powers
Dabney Coleman	Deputy Chief #1
Elizabeth Rogers	Lady in Buoy
Ann Leicester	Guest
Norm Grabowski	Flaker
Ross Elliot	Deputy Chief #2
Olan Soule	Johnson
Carlena Gower	Angela Allbright
Mike Lookinland	Phillip Allbright
Carol McEvoy	Mrs. Allbright
Paul Comi	Tim
George D. Wallace	Chief Officer
Patrick Culliton	Technician
William H. Bassett	Leading Agent
John Crawford	Callahan
Erik Nelson	Wes
Art Balinger	Announcer
Norman Hicks	Pilot
Thomas Karnahan	Co-Pilot
Leoda Richards	Party Guest
Ruth Foster	Party Guest
Maureen McGovern	Singer at Party
Ernie F. Orsatti	Mark

Technical Credits

Stirling Silliphant

John Guillermin	Director
Stirling Silliphant	Screenwriter,Producer
Irwin Allen	Producer
Logan Frazee	Special Effects
Herman Lewis	Sound/Sound Designer
Theodore Soderberg	Sound/Sound Designer
Bud Ekins	Stunts
John A. Bonner	Sound/Sound Designer