THE TOWERING INFERNO
Movie
Year: 1974
Director: John Guillermin
US Premiere: Monday 16 December 1974
Copyright 1974 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Warner Bros. Inc.
On this page
Plot Summary
Oscar winning film (for Cinematography, Editing and for the theme song "We May Never Love Like This Again") about a burning skyscraper, the efforts of firefighters to rescue a large party stranded at the top of the building.
Cast
The Cast of The Towering Inferno
Steve McQueen - Chief Michael O'Hallorhan
Paul Newman - Doug Roberts
William Holden - James "Jim" Duncan
Faye Dunaway - Susan Franklin
Fred Astaire - Harlee Claiborne
Susan Blakely - Patty Simmons
Richard Chamberlain - Roger Simmons
Jennifer Jones - Lisolette Mueller
O. J. Simpson - Harry Jernigan
Robert Vaughn - Senator Gary Parker
Robert Wagner - Dan Bigelow
Susan Flannery - Lorrie
Sheila Mathews - Paula Ramsay
Normann Burton - Will Giddings
Jack Collins - Mayor Robert Ramsay
Don Gordon - Kappy
Felton Perry - Scott
Gregory Sierra - Carlos
Ernie Orsatti - Mark Powers
Dabney Coleman - Deputy Chief #1
Elizabeth Rogers - Lady in Breeches Buoy
Ann Leicester - Guest in the Promenade Room
Norman Grabowski - Chief Flaker, US Navy Air Rescue
Ross Elliott - Deputy Chief #2
Olan Soulé - Johnson, Structural Engineer
Carlena Gower - Angela Allbright
Mike Lookinland - Phillip Allbright
Carol McEvoy - Mrs. Allbright
Scott Newman - Young Fireman
Paul Comi - Tim, Fireman
George Wallace - Jack, Chief Officer
Patrick Culliton - Technician
William H. Bassett - Leasing Agent
John Crawford - Callahan
Erik Nelson - Wes
Art Balinger - Announcer
LCDR. Norman Hicks - Pilot
LTJG. Thomas Carnahan - Co-Pilot
Uncredited (in alphabetic order):
Beau Anderson - Party Guest
Shirley Anthony - Woman leaving Duncan's office as Doug Roberts arrives
David Armstrong - Male Party Guest
Larry Arnold - Party Guest
Buzz Barbee - Engineer
Phil Barry - Engineer
Al Beaudine - Party Guest
Holger Bendixen - Praying Barman
Don Bledsoe - Fireman on Peerless Building Roof
John Blower - Party Guest
Robert Buckingham - Party Guest
Jim Burns - Helicopter Pilot
Dusty Cadis - Party Guest
Larry Carr - Party Guest
Marcello Clay - Party Guest
Ken Clayton - Technician in Security Center
Robert Cole - Party Guest
Joe DeAngelo - Barman
Sandra Deel - Bess, Doug's Secretary
Richard Diamond - Motorcyclist
Richard DiSante - Fireman
Ken DuMain - Party Guest
Brent Dunsford - Party Guest
Peter Paul Eastman - Party Guest
Gwen Farrell - Female Party Guest
Janice Fields - Female Party Guest
Ruth Foster - Female Party Guest
Bud Garrett - Party Guest
Ralph Grosh - Party Guest
John Gruber - Engineer #1
Elizabeth Harrower - Woman viewing 81st floor apartment
Orwin C. Harvey - Fireman in lift shaft
Joe Haworth - Engineer
Francine Henderson - Party Guest
Harry Hickox - Man viewing 81st floor apartment
Robert Hitchcock - Party Guest with white hair
Chris Holter - Receptionist
Claire James - Party Guest
Kathryn Janssen - Party Guest
Dale Johnson - Party Guest
Mike Johnson - Fire Victim in Elevator
Michael Keani - Party Guest (unsure about spelling of surname)
Paul King - Engineer and Party Guest
Jack Krupnick - Party Guest
Thomas "Tom" Lawrence - Bigelow's Assistant #2
Norma Lee - Secretary
Ethelreda Leopold - Party Guest
Bob Liddle - Party Guest
John Marlin - Waiter
Steve Marlo - Fireman
Maureen McGovern - Herself, Singer at Party
Anthony McHugh - Engineer
John McKnight - Party Guest
Clyde McLeod - Party Guest
John Moio - Security Guard
Tony Piazza - SFPD Officer
Virginia Piazza - Woman on Lobby Escalator
Jamie Reidy - Young Assistant #1
Jennifer Rhodes - Janet, Secretary
Leoda Richards - Female Party Guest
Richard Roat - Bigelow's Assistant
Hank Robinson - Dinner Guest
Glynn Rubin - Party Guest
Rodell Sharp - Senator Parker's Wife (not seen with Parker)
Shelley Snell - Clerk
Norman Stevans - Party Guest tied next to Steve McQueen when water rushes in
Nico Stevens - Party Guest
Robert Strong - Male Party Guest
Jenny Sullivan - Telephone Operator
Carlos Tappan - Party Guest
Vaughn Taylor - Jeweler (cut scene)
Don Terwilliger - Party Guest
Elizabeth Thompson - Marge the Waitress
Victor Toyota - Party Guest
William Traylor - Bill Harton, Security Guard in Central Security Center on 50th Floor
John Vick - Cab Driver
Tom Waters - Engineer
Gary Wright - Engineer
Ben Young - Security Guard #2
Dee Dee Young - Female Party Guest
Elke - Lisolette Mueller's Cat
Extras we're trying to identify (courtesy of IMDB):
Don Ames - Party Guest
Raven Grey Eagle - Minor Role
Stunts
| Rick Baker (aka Richard Diamond) Bruce Paul Barbour Buff Brady Tony Brubaker Steven Burnett Richard E. Butler Mickey Caruso (stunt double for Normann Burton) Roydon Clark Erik Cord Everett Creach Roger Creed Paula Crist Dick Crockett Howard Curtis Vince Deadrick (stunt double for Normann Burton) Paula Dell Dick Dial Nick Dimitri Bennie E. Dobbins Larry Duran Bud Ekins Gary Epper Jeannie Epper Stephanie Epper Tony Epper Lila Finn James W. Gavin Mickey Gilbert Orwin C. Harvey (stunt double for Hank Robinson) Eddie Hice Larry Holt (stunt double for Paul Newman) Loren Janes Mike Johnson (stunt double for Robert Wagner) Kevin N. Johnston Gene LeBell Julius LeFlore Fred Lerner Lars Lundgren |
Denver Mattson Troy Melton John Moio Minor Mustain John Nowak Doug O'Dell Frank Orsatti Regina Parton Regis Parton Victor Paul Gil Perkins Peter Peterson Bobby Porter (stunt double for Mike Lookinland) Glenn Randall Jr. Frank Reinhard Dar Robinson Walter Robles George Robotham Thomas Rosales Jr. Wally Rose Barbara Glynn Rubin (stunt double for Susan Flannery) Russell Saunders Fred Scheiwiller Felix Silla (stunt double for Carlena Gower) Dean Smith (double for Technician) Marilyn Stader Paul Stader Peter Stader Tom Steele Bob Terhune Jack Verbois Richard Washington Chuck Waters Fred M. Waugh George P. Wilbur James Winburn Bob Yerkes Fred Zendar |
Production Crew
Producer - Irwin Allen
Director - John Guillermin
Director of Action Sequences - Irwin Allen
Associate Producer - Sidney Marshall
Screenplay - Stirling Silliphant
Based On Two Novels:
"The Tower" by Richard Martin Stern
"The Glass Inferno" by Thomas M. Scortia And Frank M. Robinson
Music by - John Williams
Song: "We May Never Love Like This Again" - Al Kasha And Joel Hirschhorn
"We May Never Love Like This Again" Singer - Maureen McGovern
Supervising Music Editor - Leonard Engel
Orchestrator - Herbert W. Spencer
Score Mixer - Ted Keep
Executive Assistants To Producer - Albert Gail, William A. Welch
Production Managers - Hal Herman, Norman Cook
Production Designer - William Creber
Director of Photography - Fred Koenekamp, A.S.C.
Director of Photography, Action Sequences - Joseph Biroc, A.S.C.
First Assistant Cameraman - Ed Morey III
Assistant Cameraman - Frank Redmond
Camera Operator - Tom Lockridge
Second Unit Camera Assistant - Fred Smith
Camera Operator of Action Sequences - Orville Hallberg
Art Director - Ward Preston
Set Decorator - Raphael Bretton
Costume Designer - Paul Zastupnevich
Men's Costumers - Wally Harton, Dick James, Hugh McFarland
Women's Costumer - Kathleen McCandless
1st Assistant Directors - Wesley J Mcafee, Newton Arnold
2nd Assistant Directors - Don White, Robert Bender
Stunt Coordinator - Paul Stader
Script Supervisor - Marie Kenney
Dialogue Coach - Steven Marlo
Casting Director - Jack Baur
Mechanical Effects - A. D. Flowers, Logan Frazee
Film Editors - Harold Kress, Carl Kress
Assistant Film Editor - William DeNicholas
Negative Cutter - Jack Hooper
Sound - Herman Lewis
Boom Operator - Orrick Barrett
Cable Man - Bruce Vanover
Technical Advisors - Peter Lucarelli, Jack Cavallero
Photographic Effects - Bill Abbott, A.S.C.
Photographic Effects Coordinator - George Swink
Assistant Art Director - Steve Sardanis
Production Illustrators - Nikita Knatz, Tom Cranham, Dan Goozee, Joseph Musso
Scenic Artists - Edward T. McAvoy, Benjamin Resella
Promenade Room Cyclorama - Gary Coakley
Production Controllers - Art Volpert, George Leslie
Property Masters - Robert McLaughlin, Jerry Kobold
Assistant Property Master - Ron Greenwood
1st Assistant Director, Action Unit - Malcolm Harding
2nd Assistant Director, Action Unit - Phil Ball, Mike Grillo
Script Supervisor, Action Unit - Esther Stephenson
Technical Advisor in San Francisco - Chief Jack Cavallero
Technical Advisor in Los Angeles - Chief Pete Lucarelli
Still Photographers - Orlando Suero, Kathy Fields
Unit Publicist - Don Morgan
Set Designer - William Cruse
Construction Coordinator - Orlando Suero
Standby Painter - Frank Chapman
Key Grip - John Murray
Key Grip for Action Sequences - Lou Pazelli
Gaffer for Action Sequences - Bill Hannah
Electrician - Ron Anderson
Second Unit Rigging Gaffer - Curtis Foster
Cinematographer in San Francisco - Jim Freeman
"B" Camera Operator - Owen Marsh
Best Boy - Phil Sarabia, John Gantner
Crab Dolly Grip - Dennis Brown
Gaffer
- Gene Stout
Lead Man - Mike Garcia
Head of Makeup Department - Emile Lavigne
Makeup Artist - Monty Westmore
Hair Stylists - Jean Burt Reilly, Naomi Cavin, Susan Germaine
Craft Service Man - Dick Menchaca
Extra Talent - Bruce Maidy
Producer's Secretary - Margaret Reeves
Director's Secretary - Ann Leicester
Production Assistant - Betty Atkinson
Stand-in - Tony Piazza
Production Supervisor for Twentieth Century Fox - Jere Henshaw
Production Supervisor for Warner Brothers - Richard Shepherd
Unit Publicist - Tony Habeeb
Studio Teacher - Sharon Thurgood
Transportation Coordinator - Jim Martell
Driver - Chris Haynes
Marketing Consultant - Edward Summer
Real Estate Consultant - Lewis Wolff
Trivia
- First major collaboration between Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Brothers.
- An early working title for the movie was "The Flaming Tower".
- Several scenes were cut including a scene featuring Bigelow and his assistants receiving the gold scissors from the jewelers.
- Scene showing O'Hallorhan with his wife Joyce, two sons and daughter at his houseboat was removed.
- Don Gordon (Kappy) played Kowalski's brother Stan Kowalski in the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episode Deadly Waters.
- Gregory Sierra also appeared in Irwin Allen's The Night the Bridge Fell Down.
- Keep an eye open for Seaview crewmen including Bud Garrett.
- Kathryn Janssen who was a passenger in The Poseidon Adventure enjoys another "disaster dinner" in The Towering Inferno as one of the party guests.
- The World Premiere of The Towering Inferno was held at the AVCO Center Cinema on Monday 16th December 1974, benefitting the American Diabetes Association. A dinner was also held at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
- The New York Premiere was held at the National Theatre on Wednesday 18th December 1974 followed by a supper party at the Four Seasons hosted by Twentieth Century Fox chairman, Dennis Stanfill. The premiere beneficiary was the New York Diabetes Association.
- The San Francisco Premiere was held at two locations, the Parkside Theatre and the Alexandria Theatre, on Thursday 19th December 1974. The event beneficiary was the FLAME youth program sponsored by the San Francisco Fire Department.
Memories
Tony Piazza (SFPD Officer and Stand-in)
AN ANNECDOTE ABOUT PAUL NEWMAN by Tony Piazza
Regarding PAUL NEWMAN- he was just one of the guys, and I have a story that will demonstrate that.
We had been working on “The Towering Inferno” through the night at the Corporate Headquarters of the Bank of America building in San Francisco. The exterior, with a matte added on by the sfx people at FOX was the Tower you saw in the film. A model was also constructed at the studio for additional shots and the two melded together for the final film. Anyhow, we had been working for about 10 hours at the front entrance of the building (I was cast as a SFPD officer) and had gone into the lobby just before we wrapped that morning at 5 am (we had started the shoot at 7pm the previous evening). All the extras were exhausted. I looked up and Paul Newman was opening up a portable bar he had and was preparing some drinks for some of his fellow actor friends. He looked up and saw me watching- and without a second thought, asked if “you want to join us?” I declined- didn’t think my agent would approve, but was always impressed that he would want to have included me in his circle.
WORKING WITH A LEGEND by Tony Piazza
I was watching a young Fred Astaire in “Top Hat” on TCM last night and thought back to the summer I worked with him during the “autumn” of his life in 1973. It was during the shoot of Irwin Allen’s “Towering Inferno” at San Francisco’s Hyatt Regency Hotel that I first met and worked with this real Hollywood legend. Of course you would not have thought so to see him. He wasn’t surrounded by a large entourage of staff or masses of fawning autograph seeking fans… just a small, but fit, elderly man, extremely modest in personality and pretty much of a reserved character. While crowds were recognizing McQueen and Newman, Mr. Astaire could pretty much blend into the crowd without attracting too much attention. It was kind of sad, but again, I had a feeling that he preferred it that way. He had more than his share of attention during Hollywood’s golden era and now he seemed extremely satisfied just being a private person, doing his job, and moving on with life.
I watched him at a polite distance, as he waited for his cue to step onto the escalator that would carry him up into the massive hotel lobby which doubled as the atrium of the film’s tower. As he waited, he was just perceptibly tapping his feet, keeping time to the music coming over the hotel’s Muzak system. I can’t recall the tune, but it was a classic that could have easily been introduced in one of his musicals. He seemed content, moving his feet, mentally creating some dance routine that would have been the rave of earlier movie audiences, but alas was replaced by exploding buildings and machine gun fire.
I was working on two films at that time- it was a busy San Francisco when it came to movie productions that year. I spent the morning to late afternoon on “The Streets of San Francisco” television show and then went over to the “Towering Inferno” location from evening to the next morning. I literally worked around the clock. My family was also heavily involved. My Mother was one of the couple that comes up ahead of Mr. Astaire in the escalator scene. If you view it, look for the woman with the blue pant suit and her hair worn up, standing next to a male “extra” that is supposed to be her companion. It is always great to see her young and smiling again each time I view the film- she passed on about nine years ago.
My Mother was from Mr. Astaire’s era, perhaps just a little later, and was very impressed by his approachability and humbleness. This was demonstrated when my father visited the set. My Dad was assigned to “The Streets of San Francisco” as location liaison, but came to visit her on the “Towering Inferno” after he had completed his days’ work. Mr. Astaire was standing close by when my father came up to greet her, and without a thought my mother introduced the two. She said, “Mr. Astaire this is my husband” whereupon he very graciously shook hands and they exchange some polite conversation. I have known some smaller actors (who are legends in their own minds) whereas that could never happen- but Mr.Astaire, always the gentleman, responded politely even though he had not really known them from Adam. That scores some big points, coming from a fan’s perspective!
Mr. Astaire certainly lived up to all he portrayed on the silver screen- as evidenced by this experience, and made him all the more enjoyable while watching him last night glide across the dance floor with Ginger in his arms. That certainly was a class act, performed by a truly classy individual!
Working with Irwin Allen
Regarding “Towering Inferno” I have a number of other stories to tell. I was fortunate enough to also get some stand-in work with the second unit under the direction of IRWIN ALLEN himself. I’d always enjoyed the imaginative features and television shows that he had been associated with, and so it was a thrill to actually work with the man.
Awards and Nominations
Academy Award Oscars Won 1975
Best Cinematography - Fred J. Koenekamp and Joseph Biroc
Best Film Editing - Harold F. Kress and Carl Kress
Best Music, Original Song "We May Never Like This Again" - Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn
Academy Award Nominations 1975
Best Picture - Irwin Allen
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Fred Astaire
Best Art Direction/Set Direction - William Creber, Ward Preston, and Raphael Bretton
Best Music, Original Dramatic Score - John Williams
Best Sound - Theodore Soderberg and Herman Lewis
Golden Globes Won 1975
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Fred Astaire
Most Promising Newcomer, Female - Susan Flannery
Golden Globes Nominations 1975
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture - Stirling Silliphant
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Jennifer Jones
Best Original Song "We May Never Like This Again" - Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn
British Bafta Film Awards Won 1976
Best Supporting Actor - Fred Astaire
Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music - John Williams
British Bafta Film Award Nominations 1976
Best Art Direction - William Creber
Best Cinematography - Fred J. Koenekamp
Alternative Titles
Brazil: Inferno na Torre
France: La Tour Infernale
Germany: Flammendes Inferno
Italy: L'inferno di Cristallo
Japan: タワーリング・インフェルノ
Spain: El coloso en llamas
The Towering Inferno 50th Anniversary
Monday 16th December 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Premiere of Irwin Allen's blockbuster movie The Towering Inferno. The premiere was held at the Avco Center Cinema in Westwood, Los Angeles on Monday 16th December 1974. Before the premiere, regular Irwin Allen stuntman Orwin C. Harvey performed a daring stunt, being set on fire, and leaping off the Avco Cinema Center roof. A Premiere dinner was held that evening at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The Towering Inferno Red Carpet TV Coverage hosted by Dick Strout, Ruta Lee, and Bill Welsh
Towering Inferno stuntman Orwin C. Harvey
The New York Premiere was held at the National Theatre on Broadway on Wednesday 18th December 1974 followed by a supper party with 500 attendees at the Four Seasons Restaurant, hosted by Twentieth Century Fox chairman, Dennis Stanfill. The premiere beneficiary was the New York Diabetes Association. Stuntman Orwin Harvey again performed a stunt jumping off the roof of the National Theatre.
The San Francisco Premiere for The Towering Inferno was held at two locations, the Parkside Theatre and the Alexandria Theatre, on Thursday 19th December 1974. The West Coast Benefit Premiere was held in honour of the FLAME youth program sponsored by the San Francisco Fire Department. The photo above shows two fire engines holding up the banner that would be placed on the front of the Alexandria Theatre. There was a display and demonstrations of fire department equipment by the San Francisco Fire Department at the premiere. Note that many San Francisco firemen and residents appeared in the movie itself.
Crowds outside the Parkside Theatre for the Premiere of The Towering Inferno on 19th December 1974
Irwin Allen receiving an award at the San Francisco Premiere of The Towering Inferno
Guests arriving at the Alexandria Theatre for the Premiere of The Towering Inferno on 19th December 1974
A post-Premiere dinner was held at the San Francisco Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel with 300 attendees including Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, and Richard Chamberlain. The photo above shows San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto presenting Irwin Allen with an honorary fire helmet from the San Francisco Fire Department.
The Gala European Premiere of The Towering Inferno was held in London at the Warner West End Cinema (near Leicester Square) on 29th January 1975. Irwin and Sheila Allen flew over for the event, accompanied by Paul Zastupnevich. Paul often joked that he went with Irwin and Sheila on their honeymoon. Here is a very special and historic colour British Movietone film showing Irwin, Sheila, and Paul's arrival at Heathrow and their attendance at the London premiere.
Costume Art
Gallery
Visit The Towering Inferno Gallery
Julien's Auctions
JULIEN'S AUCTIONS, THE IRWIN ALLEN STORYBOARDS
An auction takes place on Saturday 15 June 2024 at Julien's Auctions, dedicated to The Irwin Allen Storyboards. These are all original illustrated art pieces including several lots featuring storyboards from The Towering Inferno. The lots include some oversize storyboard illustrations by Tom Cranham.
The Irwin Allen Towering Inferno Storyboard Lots (courtesy of Julien's Auctions)
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions are a top auction house for original Irwin Allen props, costumes, artwork and collectibles and have an amazing collection of original Towering Inferno Storyboard paintings and drawings coming up for auction in the Hollywood/Entertainment Signature® Auction #7351 - The Irwin Allen Collection on 29 July 2023.
Bidding on the original final poster artwork by John Berkey for The Towering Inferno has already exceeded over $200,000. The original art pieces in the Irwin Allen Collection are not only attracting Irwin Allen fans, but also art connoisseurs who will see these works of art as great investments. Original props and costumes are also drawing the attention of investors as illustrated by recent sale prices.
Recent Publications
INFINITY #71 - THE TOWERING INFERNO 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Infinity Magazine #71 features a beautiful 6 page article to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Towering Inferno and also includes a double, centre page poster. The magazine is available in both print and digital format.
As we go through our many boxes of magazines and clippings, anything we find on The Towering Inferno will be included in The Towering Inferno Publications Gallery.
Towering Inferno Publications Gallery
Showcase
Links
Interesting articles
Pacific Heights home featured in 'Towering Inferno' on the market
Collectibles
Irwin Allen Memorabilia at Amazon US (#ad)
Irwin Allen Memorabilia at Amazon UK (#ad)
Towering Inferno DVD at Amazon US (#ad)
Towering Inferno Blu-Ray at Amazon US (#ad)
Tributes
RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN
Richard Chamberlain, star of Irwin Allen's The Towering Inferno and The Swarm passed away late evening on 29th March 2025 in Hawaii, just 2 days short of his 91st birthday. Aside from his adventures in Irwin Allen movies, Richard was well known for his starring roles in Dr. Kildare in the early 1960s and in television movie series such as The Thorn Birds and Shogun in the early 1980s.
BBC - Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
BBC - Richard Chamberlain: Heartthrob king of the TV mini-series
New York Times - Richard Chamberlain, TV Heartthrob Turned Serious Actor, Dies at 90
Variety - Richard Chamberlain, TV’s Dr. Kildare, ‘Shogun,’ ‘Thorn Birds’ Star, Dies at 90
Richard Chamberlain Interview - Bobbie Wygant Archive
Richard Chamberlain - The Complete "Pioneers of Television" Interview
This website is a tribute to Irwin Allen, the performers, the production crews, and the studios who made the television shows and movies a reality. It is also a tribute to all the people who help to keep these productions alive for future generations.
