tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post4247599939313880373..comments2024-03-24T13:26:57.317-07:00Comments on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule: MASTER DISASTERPIECESDennis Cozzaliohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-85946628710947896912009-01-07T18:25:00.000-08:002009-01-07T18:25:00.000-08:00Dennis, what a thoroughly entertaining entry! It ...Dennis, what a thoroughly entertaining entry! It certainly brings back memories. Not the least of which was The Divine Miss M's tacky and hilarious impersonation of Shelley Winters in <I><B>The Poseidon Adventure</B></I>. Did you come up with the term "disasterpiece"? Catchy. Enjoy the festival.Michael Guillenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15464792353062386579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-41455825346560200962009-01-07T09:49:00.000-08:002009-01-07T09:49:00.000-08:00Late to the party, but I loved this post! As alway...Late to the party, but I loved this post! As always, you bring back a lot of fond memories; for me, the first disaster movie was <I>Airport</I> (which I saw at a drive-in). I missed seeing <I>TPA</I>, but by the time <I>Earthquake</I> rolled around, I'd become obsessed by earthquakes. I was 10 years old and living in Van Nuys when the Sylmar quake hit, and had an endless fascination for the subject.<BR/><BR/>As near to its opening as possible, four of us headed off to see <I>Earthquake</I> at Grauman's Chinese. I will always love the folks responsible for hanging a huge net below the ceiling, covering the (light fixtures? chandelier? sculpture?). We had good seats, we loved the rumbling, and I fell in love with Victoria Principal (or at least her t-shirt, when she took off her jacket, part of me exploded). <BR/><BR/>As cheesy as it was, as young as I was, I was oddly haunted by the last line in the picture and that shot of the ruined city, my city, even after we walked outside and saw that everything was still standing. <BR/><BR/>As to why we Angelenos lined up to see it, it wasn't masochism, it was, I think, a way of dealing with the fear that lies buried in the back of the mind of anyone who has experienced an earthquake; the realization that it could strike at any time and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it.<BR/><BR/>Which might explain some of the appeal of the disaster movie.Peter Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03156608705252877660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-42435560750601611332009-01-06T08:29:00.000-08:002009-01-06T08:29:00.000-08:00Sorry to blather on, but I can't resist describing...Sorry to blather on, but I can't resist describing another favorite disaster movie moment -- this one from AIRPORT 1975.<BR/><BR/>GLORIA SWANSON, playing her regal self, and dressed to the nines by Edith Head, comes sweeping through Dulles Airport, followed by by a phalanx of adoring paparazzi. They pass by a couple of seated NUNS, played by Helen Reddy and Martha Scott. Naive novitiate Helen asks her older companion, "Sister, who is that?" <BR/><BR/>Martha answers with a sneer, "Probably one of those Hollywood persons." <BR/><BR/>Helen asks, "You mean -- an...ACTRESS?" (She pronounces the word as if she's never uttered it before.)<BR/><BR/>Martha says with contempt: "Or WORSE."<BR/><BR/>The movie isn't five minutes old, and it has already called Gloria Swanson a WHORE!Don Mancinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697303770099289489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-63389691009485658512009-01-06T02:03:00.000-08:002009-01-06T02:03:00.000-08:00Mancini: That was hilarious.Dennis: Yup, Cub Scout...Mancini: That was hilarious.<BR/><BR/>Dennis: Yup, Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Explorer Scout. Aye Dios!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-28295268869000106192009-01-05T22:50:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:50:00.000-08:00Another hilarious (yet still rather disturbing) ha...Another hilarious (yet still rather disturbing) hallmark of the disaster genre is its inherent sexism, right down to the "women and children first" credo. With few exceptions, the women are all helpless, screaming sex objects who need to be rescued by the men. Its probably no accident that in POSEIDON and INFERNO, the only heroic women are sexless old ladies who are killed off. Interesting that these movies were made when the feminist movement was in its infancy.<BR/><BR/>Look at the major female characters in TOWERING INFERNO:<BR/><BR/>1. The aforementioned Old Lady, Jennifer Jones. Pathetically grateful that "at my age, (my date) shows up at all" -- even if he's a con man! She was actually going to let him take her money! She selflessly saves two kids -- then falls 110 floors to her death. <BR/><BR/>2. Faye Dunaway. Her conflict: whether or not to accept a job promotion that will require her to move away from boyfriend Paul Newman. The crisis ultimately teaches her that her place is by her man.<BR/><BR/>3. Susan Flannery. Her conflict: having a secret affair with boss Robert Wagner. She pays dearly for her sins, bursting into flame before falling 65 floors to her death.<BR/><BR/>4. Susan Blakely. Married to electrical contractor Richard Chamberlain, whose cost-cutting causes the fire. The guy is a complete asshole who obviously married her to further his career (her father is builder William Holden). But despite all this, Blakely is a hysterical wreck when her hubby dies, and Dad must explain to her, as if to a child, "There's nothing any of us can do to bring back the dead." (I always imagine Blakely looking up at him in teary confusion and blurting, "There isn't?!")<BR/><BR/>And let's not forget the Women on the rooftop helipad. A chopper is coming in for a risky landing. Suddenly, completely unprovoked, the women go running in hysterics out onto the pad, causing the chopper to swerve and crash, killing the pilots -- and everyone else's hopes for rescue.Don Mancinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697303770099289489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-30520360102857050852009-01-05T22:16:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:16:00.000-08:00Dennis: How could I have forgotten about Rosa Amic...Dennis: How could I have forgotten about Rosa Amici and her precious doughnut? Homer Simpson would have understood.<BR/><BR/>And yes, we have a date Friday night at the Promenade Room, on the 135th floor, with "294 other guests." (I always loved that bizarrely specific detail on the one-sheet.) We may never love like this again.Don Mancinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697303770099289489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-53457130350246636712009-01-05T22:12:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:12:00.000-08:00Yes! Mr. Peel comes through! I knew there had to b...Yes! Mr. Peel comes through! I knew there had to be an honest-to-God dining reference in there somewhere. See ya Friday night, eh?Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-71710577350506942422009-01-05T22:09:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:09:00.000-08:00I'm definitely going to be there Friday for TOWERI...I'm definitely going to be there Friday for TOWERING INFERNO...where William Holden will of course promise us, "Dinner will not be delayed."Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-89875441798527849422009-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:00DID: I knew were a Boy Scout. I just knew it...DID: I knew were a Boy Scout. I just <I>knew</I> it...Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-57665219428531816232009-01-05T22:03:00.000-08:002009-01-05T22:03:00.000-08:00Don, we just passed like two ships (the Poseidon a...Don, we just passed like two ships (the <I>Poseidon</I> and the <I>Juggernaut</I> maybe? Was that what it was called?). <BR/><BR/>To your hilarious account of disaster movies and food I would add Victoria Principal's relentless pursuit of the glazed donut, which ends up getting her in so much trouble! Worth crawling through wreckage and maybe even stepping on a nail (maybe even breaking one) for that!<BR/><BR/>Now I'm gonna be watching <I>The Towering Inferno</I> to see how many people stop down for hors d'oeuvres while the ceiling comes crashiggn down on them in fiery chunks. (I think that in the director's commentary on the DVD is it revealed that the reason Richard Chamberlain ends up upsetting the balance on that dinghy cable chair because, in an extended scene, we see him sneaking a family-sized jar of cashews under his tux.) Are we still one for Friday?Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-16816506146171301122009-01-05T21:58:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:58:00.000-08:00First order of survival, find food. I learned that...First order of survival, find food. I learned that as a 16 year old explorer scout.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-5998010190094376602009-01-05T21:56:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:56:00.000-08:00psaga-- Your doppleganger sold me popcorn at the 1...psaga-- Your doppleganger sold me popcorn at the 10:10 screening of <I>Milk</I> I went to last night. It was all I could do not to reach across the conter and give her a hug! By the way, <I>Earthquake</I> was swell! <BR/><BR/>Campaspe: After Saturday night's screening, my friend Don and I, flush with the excitement that can only be brought on by awesome destruction wrought in miniatures and Albert Whitlock matte paintings, vowed to make it back on Friday for <I>The Towering Inferno</I>. (My wife Patty was, curiously, not quite as enthusiastic, though she had a good time and was an exceedingly good sport about the whole thing.) <BR/><BR/>I haven't seen <I>TTI</I> in a theater since I was a lad of 15 or so, and I am really curious to see how it plays, whether it can stay safely within the boundaries of camp (as <I>Earthquake</I> certainly did) or whether what we all experienced and/or witnessed just over eight years ago will make a difference, and if so, how. As I said, I've had reservations about it anyway, but the allure of seeing it on that giant screen is going to prove to be too much, I think. And yes, you are absolutely right: <I>Earthquake</I> is very often unaccountably, inescapably cheesy and bad. But the great glory of Satruday night's screening was that it didn't matter a damn. It was more fun that way, watching Ava Gardner blowsily swearing at Charlton Heston and trampling through the wreckage in his designer duds and perfectly touched makeup; luxuriating in the over-the-top self-righteousness of George Kennedy's cop; and enjoying to the fullest Marjoe Gortner's singular bizarre performance, with that high-pitched, strangulated voice and that creepy blond wig he wears while enforcing curfews and arresting looters with the Guard("A lot of the guys with long hair wear 'em on duty," he assures Victoria Principal, just before mowing down some punks who threatened him earlier.)<BR/><BR/>I promise to post full-fledged updates on <I>Earthquake, The Towering Inferno</I> and even <I>Black Sunday</I>, if I'm so lucky as to make it back for thirds!<BR/><BR/>Dave S.: Thanks for the tip of the cap to <I>Juggernaut</I>. Personally, I wish they'd found room for that overlooked gem, at the expense, perhaps, of <I>The Hindenburg</I> or <I>The China Syndrome</I>. <BR/><BR/>And here's to Belle-- quite a swimmer in her day, Reverend!Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-56993641389857125632009-01-05T21:47:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:47:00.000-08:00Has anyone ever noticed that the people in these m...Has anyone ever noticed that the people in these movies seem inordinately, inappropriately (given the situations) obsessed with FOOD? <BR/><BR/>In POSEIDON, after the ship has capsized, hundreds have been killed, and our little group has climbed up just a few decks, Reverend Scott suddenly tells everyone to "search for food." Even as a kid, I wanted to shout at the screen: "How can you think of food at a time like this?! You're in a race against time! Your air supply is running out! And when the ship capsized, you were in the dining room! YOU JUST ATE!"<BR/><BR/>In EARTHQUAKE, shortly after L.A. has been devastated, most of the main characters converge at "Wilson Plaza" -- where Genevieve Bujold, Ava Gardner, and thousands of extras suddenly line up for COFFEE! Yes, after a cataclysmic earthquake, one might need something to stay awake.Don Mancinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697303770099289489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-8859046584837021552009-01-05T12:49:00.000-08:002009-01-05T12:49:00.000-08:00I am a huge disaster movie fan. I was in grade 2 w...I am a huge disaster movie fan. I was in grade 2 when The Poseidon Adventure came out (it's still my favourite; at the time I even had the book, the Viewmaster reels, and a K-Tel record with "The Morning After" among its tracks), and I made my father take me to every disaster movie that came out in its wake (including "Juggernaut"; too boring for a 12-year old). By the time "The Swarm" came out, I was able to take myself to the movies, so Dad was off the hook. I'm not sure what it is about these movies I like so much. Certainly the spectacle of the destruction is one aspect, and the "human stories" angle was another element that sucked me in regardless of how cheesy they were. But beyond that, these movies were kind of codes of conduct and early life lessons for me when I was a kid... Don't do anything that is going to hurt others, sometimes sacrifice is necessary, and sometimes, no matter how good a person you are, bad things can happen (I'm thinking of you, Belle Rosen).Dave Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12394730675283743852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-30473760362389601392009-01-04T20:27:00.000-08:002009-01-04T20:27:00.000-08:00I love Compaspe's comments. There is nothing wrong...I love Compaspe's comments. There is nothing wrong with admitting that cheesy can be OK.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-20034714304343708212009-01-04T18:19:00.000-08:002009-01-04T18:19:00.000-08:00I loved this post. I wasn't allowed to see these m...I loved this post. I wasn't allowed to see these movies upon release (I was too young, and the movies were too violent, decreed the Siren's mommy) and perhaps that is why when we got a pay-TV channel I immediately watched every single one I could tune into when Mom's back was turned. I always liked The Towering Inferno best (ah, Paul!!!!! she said with a schoolgirlish sigh) but now that you mention it, I have not seen it since 9/11 and it's a crapshoot as to whether or not it would be too hard to watch now. (Poor Jennifer Jones! And Robert Wagner running through that room...)<BR/><BR/>Earthquake is truly bad but damn if I don't enjoy it, and Marjoe Gortner's performance alone makes it a classic of a very weird sort.The Sirenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587505433284584391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-17620983769555894332009-01-04T16:06:00.000-08:002009-01-04T16:06:00.000-08:00PS It's so great to see pictures of you on SLIFR! ...PS It's so great to see pictures of you on SLIFR! You and Lord Larry make a great pair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-81200312332691552682009-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:002009-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:00OMG that manipulation of Pauline Kael is hilarious...OMG that manipulation of Pauline Kael is hilarious! Way to call 'em to task, Dennis! Having stumbled over "swill" in a recent crossword, it is now cemented in my head. (Mmm, concrete slop...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-68688229841738963952009-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:002009-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:00Happy New Year, Mr. Cozzalio, and thanks for your ...Happy New Year, Mr. Cozzalio, and thanks for your great work!<BR/><BR/>While Thomas Harris' novel Black Sunday is quite the page-turner, I feel Ernest Lehman, Kenneth Ross and Ivan Moffat's script (and Frankenheimer’s input, of course) really streamlines and cherry-picks the book for maximum suspense (much like Peter Stone's script did for The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3). <BR/><BR/>I'm still a fan of Allen/Neame's TPA, first seeing during its original release and its later re-release, and think it holds up because of all the goofy socio-political themes it uses to add dramatic depth: the preacher's loss of faith, the cop/whore dynamic, the child leading them, etc. While I still have affection for L.B. Abbott's miniatures, I think the original TPA would be even more effective if after the tidal wave, all further miniature effects (that take you outside of the ship) were excised. <BR/><BR/>Interestingly, as much as I love disaster flicks (dude, when The Swarm came out, I sat through it twice--in my defense, I was 13 at the time), but I've never actually seen any of the Airport movies from beginning to end; they just never interested me that much. <BR/><BR/>--IvanIvanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16443946766217092846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-5165645510868909412009-01-04T04:10:00.000-08:002009-01-04T04:10:00.000-08:00Well, by the time you read this you'll have had yo...Well, by the time you read this you'll have had your fill of the Sensurround experience. I'd be intrigued to hear your opinion on it.<BR/><BR/>I saw Earthquake at two theaters, three if you count the sneak preview my folks and I had one summer day on a mid 70's tour of Universal. The two theaters in question are the Chinese in Hollywood and the old Paramount theater across the street, now known as the El Capitan.<BR/><BR/>Wow, what an experience for me as a 14 year old getting sonically blasted by the monstrous Cerwin Vega subwoofers pointed at the dead center of the auditorium. I bought the actual soundtrack for it that contained a "recreation" of the sensurround experience. Even as a kid I always made it a point to have a bad-ass stereo system so hearing the Earthquake soundtrack at home was a real treat.<BR/><BR/>Coincidentally, The Towering Inferno is playing in almost the same theater that it premiered in on it's original release. The venue has changed somewhat and the main Egyptian theater is somewhat smaller but it would be deja-vu to see it again at it's original crime scene.<BR/><BR/>Dennis, you already know of my love for both these films so I can only be enviuos that I cannot attend (stupid work).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-19456394368843666632009-01-03T20:24:00.000-08:002009-01-03T20:24:00.000-08:00I saw Earthquake in a midtown New York City theate...I saw <B>Earthquake</B> in a midtown New York City theater in Sensurround. I thought the sound and the rumbling were like a subway rolling underneath the theater. The theater was packed with people having a good time, laughing when Ava Gardner met her doom.<BR/><BR/>As for <B>Poseidon Adventure</B>, I saw it at Fox's screening room in advance. The rival student film critic was indignant and complained about how many films by Jean-Luc Godard could have been financed for the same Ten Million dollars.<BR/><BR/>Let us know how <B>Black Sunday</B> holds up, especially in light of current and recent events.<BR/><BR/>And where's <B>Meteor</B>?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-68356298341329645702009-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:002009-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00Dennis, I have included your great post on taking ...Dennis, I have included your great post on taking your daughters to High School Musical 3 in my year-end round-up of noteworthy blog entries. You can find it here:<BR/><BR/>http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2008/12/dancing-image-in-2008.htmlJoel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-78857837990404896422009-01-03T11:11:00.000-08:002009-01-03T11:11:00.000-08:00That's it, Mutt. All those headshots featuring act...That's it, Mutt. All those headshots featuring actors way past their prime, and none more chintzy than <A HREF="http://tinyurl.com/8bmje6" REL="nofollow">this one</A>. Yet it didn't matter! I was as excited for <I>Airport 1975</I> as any of these movies, and those one-sheets really sold the goods.<BR/><BR/><I>Airport 1975</I> being the exception, however, when it came to really distinctive logos for the movie titles themselves. Look at all of those posters (even, I'd say, <I>The China Syndrome</I> and <I>Black Sunday</I>)-- very memorable title designs. Especially <I>The Poseidon Adventure</I> and <I>Earthquake</I>. Did I mention I'm excited about tonight's screening?Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-71311197752527398032009-01-03T10:58:00.000-08:002009-01-03T10:58:00.000-08:00I was in high school during the golden age of disa...I was in high school during the golden age of disaster films. I loved them. For me, the sign of a must-see movie was a poster with a bunch of little character headshots at the bottom.<BR/><BR/>What I remember most about seeing Black Sunday was a very exciting trailer that ran before the film. Some movie with robots and spaceships and such. I think it did well.The Mutthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09149977320388415139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-78218735584394876152009-01-03T10:50:00.000-08:002009-01-03T10:50:00.000-08:00I hear ya. There was a time (and it really wasn't ...I hear ya. There was a time (and it really wasn't too long ago) when I figured I was too smart, or too cool, for something like <I>Earthquake</I>. Frankly, I don't have as much time for that stuff as I get older. (Does this mean you and I are aging/regressing Benjamin Button-style?) I'd rather just enjoy what it is that I enjoy, whether or not it's intellectually defensible. At the very least I can always have a conversation with myself (who else would want to listen?) about why I like it that amounts to something more than "I liked it!" Entering in with that spirit, I am beyond excited for tonight's rumblefest!Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.com