imagine if that boy never possessed that gift. this story of a mothers unconditional love and selflessness would never had been told. there are countless mother and fathers out there who have put the same love into their children without any recognition. so cheers to them.
0:02 - In addition to Merlin Olsen in the FTD spot, you also have one Ted Giannoulas, aka the Famous San Diego Chicken. 8:26 - Corinne Orr as the voice of Snuggle the bear for Snuggle fabric softener. 10:00 - In the Burger King ad, Don Pardo does the main voiceover.
Pat Sajak had it made as the host of "Wheel of Fortune" which produced many shows in one sitting. With a nightly network show, it was a grind. Not many can do it over the long haul.
As far as disaster films go, this flick earns a 5-star rating... Not because of its cinematic prestige (lol, this film is no Henri Georges Clouzot's THE WAGES OF FEAR). The 5-star rating is based on its sheer entertainment value as a cheesy, camp disaster epic. When comparing it to EARTHQUAKE and the 4 AIRPORT films of the 1970s, this ranks as a "classic". Irwin Allen's own POSEIDON ADVENTURE is also entertaining but nowhere near the superstar power of TTI. The scenes with Bill Holden and Richard Chamberlain are hilarious (!) Wagner is as superficial and phony as a $3 dollar bill. An almost convincing O. J. Simpson has to be seen to be believed. And even a Brady Bunch is onboard: Bobby Brady (Mike Lookinland). This is the only film to feature Paul and Scott Newman (dad and son). Scott should have been given a meatier role in this film, and at least one scene with his dad, he certainly had the screen presence. His scenes with McQueen are memorable. Mr. Frederick Austerlitz (Freddie Astaire's real name) adds a touch of class to this potboiler; he was of German and Austrian descent (Deutsch mother and Osterreich father). Aside from McQueen, Felton Perry gave the coolest and most natural acting performance such a film would allow. I remember seeing this the 1st week of its release back in L.A. McQueen was instinctively clever in switching from his original role of architect Doug Roberts (the actual lead character) to the Fire Chief Mike O'Hallorhan (whose role was elevated from a supporting character to the film's eventual main hero). Allen had originally cast McQueen as architect Doug Roberts and Ernest Borgnine as Fire Chief Mike O'Hallorhan. It was McQueen who persuaded the film's producer (master of disaster Irwin Allen) to cast Robert Redford as architect Doug Roberts. Reportedly, Redford turned downed the offer because he was reluctant to co-star with McQueen (possibly due to McQueen's intimidating macho screen image). McQueen then suggested Paul Newman to Irwin Allen...McQueen never forgot that he had a tiny role in the film that made Newman a star: Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). McQueen would only settle for a Hollywood co-star of his own boxoffice caliber and that left only two: Paul Newman or Robert Redford. Now, to the much ballyhooed equal or staggered/diagonal billing of McQueen and Newman that is still debated by film buffs and film historians. There was no "equal" billing in TOWERING INFERNO. McQueen was unequivocally billed first. I vividly remember in all the radio ads, TV trailers, and film previews at theaters, Steve McQueen was named FIRST. In the actual film itself during the opening credits, Steve McQueen is still named first despite the staggered or diagonal billing format. This staggered/diagonal billing format was NOT the first time it was used as some grossly misinformed articles have listed (e.g., Wikipedia). The diagonal/staggered billing was used earlier that very same year in THE KLANSMAN between Lee Marvin and Richard Burton. However, it was 2 years earlier in 1972, that the diagonal/staggered billing (between Paul Newman and Lee Marvin in POCKET MONEY) was made popular. There may have been even earlier examples in cinema history, but POCKET MONEY and all its posters clearly depicted the diagonal/staggered billing between Paul Newman and Lee Marvin: Newman was to the left and first, while Marvin's name was to the right but higher. In THE TOWERING INFERNO, Steve McQueen received first billing over Paul Newman (one of his career ambitions). No argument. Both the names of McQueen and Newman appear together with McQueen's to the left and first and then Newman's to the right (but higher). The English language which is read from left to right sealed this argument before it even began. Summarily, McQueen also dominated every scene he had with Newman.
I noticed the TV promos and TV guide ads gave an emphasis to Susan Blakely and Robert Wagner. The latter was starring in Hart to Hart. Wonder what was Blakely in at time that they would promote her ahead of Faye Dunaway.
0:03 - Rita Rudner for A&P. 6:15 - In the ad for the 1980 Pontiac Bonneville, the elderly man at 6:39 is Herb Vigran. 7:47 - Casey Kasem does the voiceover on the Continental Airlines commercial. 9:32 - In the ad for Thomson Vacations, the actress playing the Thomson rep (9:44) is Carol Potter. 12:02 - Bill Cosby on the voiceover for Del Monte green beans. 14:45 - Stevie Wonder for TDK cassette tapes. Norman Rose does the voiceover at the end. 15:46 - Florence Henderson for Tang.
09:22 - Victor's - The music is the same production music that was used in the "Burbles" segments on the 1970s BBC children's show, "Vision On", and the "Coin Coins" segments on its French version, "Déclic".
Who is out there actually replating frozen dinners? We eat them from the little tray and then we either lick the tray, or give it to the dog to lick. Right?
