The Towering Inferno (1974). Photofest.
(John Guillermin, US 1974, 165 min., 35mm)
Producer Irwin Allen’s cycle of disaster films reached its peak in 1974 with The Towering Inferno. The tallest building in the world, the 137-story Glass Tower in San Francisco is about to open to the public when chief architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) discovers that the electrical engineer, Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain), has used substandard wiring to save money. With a dedication ceremony taking place at the top of the building, a fire breaks out on the 81st floor, working its way toward the party. Meanwhile, fire department battalion chief Mike O’Halloran (Steve McQueen) devises a daring plan to quench the fire while Roberts tries to save as many guests as possible from the inside. Another all-star lineup features Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Jennifer Jones, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner, and Fred Astaire in an Oscar-nominated performance.