Airport (1970) 6.5
Melodrama about a bomber on board an airplane, an airport almost closed by snow, and various personal problems of the people involved. Director:George Seaton |
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Airport (1970) 6.5
Melodrama about a bomber on board an airplane, an airport almost closed by snow, and various personal problems of the people involved. Director:George Seaton |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Burt Lancaster | ... | ||
| Dean Martin | ... |
Vernon Demerest
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| Jean Seberg | ... | ||
| Jacqueline Bisset | ... | ||
| George Kennedy | ... | ||
| Helen Hayes | ... | ||
| Van Heflin | ... |
D.O. Guerrero
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| Maureen Stapleton | ... | ||
| Barry Nelson | ... |
Anson Harris
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| Dana Wynter | ... | ||
| Lloyd Nolan | ... | ||
| Barbara Hale | ... |
Sarah Demerest
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| Gary Collins | ... | ||
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John Findlater | ... | |
| Jessie Royce Landis | ... | ||
Mel Bakersfeld is the hard-charging manager of Lincoln International Airport, trying to keep his airport open despite a raging Midwestern snowstorm and an angry wife. Meanwhile, his antagonistic brother-in-law, Vernon Demerest, may have his plans for a placid layover in Italy disturbed by unexpected news from Gwen Meighen, and by the plans of D.O. Guerrero, the loose cannon on board. Written by Steve Fenwick <scf@w0x0f.com>
I thoroughly enjoyed Airport, hands down the best of the four flicks in the serial(does Concorde count? It was MFTV). There was so much tension going on both with the airline, the airport and the lives of some of the passengers and crew members. This was a good old fashioned 60's flick, but not too cheesy. Helen Hayes is excellent as the little old lady who with all the grace and charm, has made a career out of stowing away. I love how she fights with Jacqueline Bisset's character in order to distract the mad bomber on board(Van Heflin). The tension when Joe Patroni(George Kennedy) guns the plane's engines and gets that plane out of the snow was gut wrenching. Burt Lancaster as the married and harried airport manager who has some what of an affinity for his assistant. Dean Martin gave such a surprising dramatic performance as the captain who was carrying on a love affair with Bisset's stewardess who later tells him she's pregnant. Even Gary Collins wasn't THAT bad. The film's climactic ending leaves you nothing short of disturbed and breathless. Maureen Stapleton, upon learning the plane has landed after being blown up by her husband, walks up to the injured passengers bawling her eyes out and apologizing for her husband's actions. Of course my favorite is the scene where Bisset's character Gwen(who was wounded in the blast) is being escorted by the doctor who tells the EMT's on the ground that Gwen is pregnant. Martin is also escorting her, completely bypassing his wife, who is ready to give him a hug and then soon puts two and two together. What a way to find out! That dejected look on Hale's face, who is once again playing her, oh so kind and understanding character, you can't help but hate Martin for this last scene. Hale almost never played the "bad girl." She's a favorite of mine. Airport will keep you on edge. Haley managed to intertwine the suspension and soap opera dramatics that made the prime time soap opera "Hotel" so popular. He definitely walks a fine line and doesn't go over either one.