The year 1974 marked a significant moment in cinematic history with the 47th Annual Academy Awards, where five remarkable films contended for the coveted Best Picture title: The Godfather Part II, Chinatown, The Conversation, Lenny, and The Towering Inferno. Among these nominees, The Towering Inferno, a disaster film released on December 18, 1974, stands out as a testament to the genre’s popularity at the time. Capitalizing on the trend of disaster-themed movies, The Towering Inferno gripped audiences with its suspenseful narrative and star-studded cast. Fifty years later, the film’s impact continues to resonate, and its production is filled with fascinating anecdotes and noteworthy achievements.
Based on two novels, Richard Martin Stern’s The Tower and Thomas N. Scortia’s The Glass Inferno, the film depicted the catastrophic fire that erupts during the grand opening of a state-of-the-art skyscraper in San Francisco. The narrative revolves around the heroic efforts of Fire Chief Michael O’Hallorhan, played by Steve McQueen, and the building’s architect, Doug Roberts, portrayed by Paul Newman, as they navigate the treacherous inferno and strive to save lives amidst escalating panic. Complicating the rescue efforts is James Duncan, a corrupt and cost-cutting contractor played by William Holden, whose negligence contributed to the disaster and who desperately attempts to evade responsibility.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast beyond its leading trio, featuring Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Susan Blakely, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, and Robert Wagner. The Towering Inferno garnered eight Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning three: Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Song for "We May Never Love Like This Again." However, its impact extended beyond accolades, leaving a lasting mark on the film industry and popular culture.
The Towering Inferno’s success was evident in its box office performance, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 1974, only surpassed by Mel Brooks’s comedy Blazing Saddles. It earned an impressive $116 million in the U.S. and Canada, significantly outperforming another disaster film of the same year, Earthquake, which ranked fifth with $79.7 million. Reflecting the star power of Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, each actor received a substantial $1 million for their roles, equivalent to approximately $6.4 million today. The film also marked the final screen appearance of Jennifer Jones, whose illustrious career included a Best Actress Oscar for The Song of Bernadette in 1944.
Beyond its commercial success, The Towering Inferno holds several intriguing distinctions. It provided one of the few opportunities where the legendary Fred Astaire showcased his acting prowess without song or dance, earning him a Best Supporting Actor nomination, though he lost to Robert De Niro for The Godfather Part II. While Astaire was the only actor from The Towering Inferno nominated for an Oscar in that film, Faye Dunaway also received a nomination for Best Actress for her role in Chinatown the same year, losing to Ellyn Burstyn for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Interestingly, the role of the fire chief was originally intended for Ernest Borgnine, a seasoned actor who had starred in the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure two years earlier. However, when Steve McQueen took on the role, it was significantly expanded.
The film’s production also introduced the innovative "Diagonal Billing" concept due to the combined star power and professional rivalry between McQueen and Newman. This unique billing arrangement reflected the actors’ equal status and drawing power. During filming, a real fire broke out on the set, leading Steve McQueen to momentarily assist the actual firefighters, demonstrating his cool-headedness and real-life heroism. Furthermore, The Towering Inferno’s narrative influence is believed to have inspired Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever, which was later adapted into the iconic action film Die Hard, featuring a lone policeman battling terrorists. Even child actor Mike Lookinland, known for his role as Bobby on The Brady Bunch, played a small part in the film, further highlighting the film’s widespread casting.
Fifty years after its release, The Towering Inferno remains a significant cultural touchstone. Its compelling story of human resilience against a catastrophic disaster, combined with its stellar cast and impressive technical achievements, continues to captivate audiences. The film’s influence extends beyond its genre, inspiring other works and solidifying its place in cinematic history. As we commemorate its 50th anniversary, The Towering Inferno stands as a testament to the power of disaster films to entertain, thrill, and remind us of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity. The film’s meticulous blend of suspense, star power, and technical prowess cemented its place as a landmark achievement in 1970s cinema, earning its rightful spot among the Best Picture nominees at the 47th Annual Academy Awards.
