IMDb > Firehouse (1973) (TV)

Firehouse (1973) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   67 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alex March
Writer:
Frank Cucci (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Firehouse on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 January 1973 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
Tensions arise when a previously all-white firehouse gets its first black fireman. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Not too bad for a TV movie more (6 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Michael Lerner ... Ernie Bush

Paul Le Mat ... Billy Dalzell

Val Avery ... Sonny Caputo
Richard Jaeckel ... Hank Myers
Andrew Duggan ... Capt. Jim Parr
Vince Edwards ... Spike Ryerson

Richard Roundtree ... Shelly Forsythe
Sheila Frazier ... Michelle Forsythe (as Sheila E. Frazier)
Mel Scott ... Mamu

Alma Beltran ... Spanish Lady

Howard Curtis ... Eddie Doyle
Mwako Cumbuka ... Clarence
Ty Henderson ... Bobby
Otis Day ... Oldest Boy
Bobby Johnson ... Bartender
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
USA:74 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Filming Locations:
Fire Station 23 - 225 E. 5th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
Company:
Metromedia Productions more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful.
Not too bad for a TV movie, 26 February 2006
5/10
Author: mickya from United States

I remember seeing this movie when it came out in 1973. I believe it was a made for TV film, but it had better production values than the usual made for TV fare.

Just watched it again for the first time in over 30 years last night. I got it on one of those cheap DVDs you find at the dollar store.

Firehouse starts of interesting enough. With some John Carpenter horror movie synthesizer music and heartbeats pounding, we see fire starters setting an urban building ablaze. The city fire department arrives shortly thereafter. The firefighting scenes were grainy and realistic. They may have been real firefighters, but I am not sure.

From here, we are introduced to the firefighters at a particular station. Led by Captain Parr (Andrew Duggan), we meet Spike (Vince Edwards), Hank (Richard Jaeckel), and Sonny (Val Avery). Another fireman, Eddie, dies in the blaze that begins the movie. Spike is a bigot who blames the fire on blacks and the others go along with him.

Meanwhile, Shelly Forsythe (Richard Roundtree) is the first black to join the station. He is a "probbie". Shelly is reluctant to join the fire department and gets into an argument with his wife, who threatens to leave him if he doesn't join.

Racial tensions develop as soon as Shelly arrives. Spike makes it difficult for him. The captain is spineless (in once seen he gives Spike an order and Spike replies "Don't tell me what to do.") and tells Shelly just to ignore the verbal abuse.

Some of the racial issues are stereotyped and clichéd. I thought it was unrealistic that a large city would not have hired any black firemen by 1973. And I doubt if Spike's behavior was realistic. His hostility toward Shelly should have gotten him fired, but everyone called him a hero so they looked the other way.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (6 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Firehouse (1973) (TV)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Backdraft Arson Gang Busters Rookie Fireman The Last Alarm Firehouse Dog
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Drama section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.