Producer Irwin Allen was king of the high concept disaster movie, in some cases literally. The Swarm certainly became a millstone round his neck, but his triumphs were seared into the moviegoer's consciousness. The Poseidon Adventure soon had a spiritual successor in 1974's The Towering Inferno. Essentially a big screen translation of a chunky holiday read (and adapted from no less than two tomes), the scenario was a template for the modern tale of cinematic calamity. San Francisco's Glass Tower was proclaimed as the world's tallest building. Tall but deadly, as before long a blaze worked its way through the levels like a dose of flu from a doorman. Superstar combo Paul Newman (as the tower's designer) and Steve McQueen (playing the ultimate rugged fireman) burned up the screen trying to bring the natural menace under control. Also providing performer kindling were Fred Astaire, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Robert Wagner and O J Simpson!
I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.
