Code Red 

As Joe Rorchek investigates a series of arson fires that occupy his firefighter sons, their unit also copes with the introduction of their first female crew member.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Laurence Heath, Carole Raschella (multiple episodes)

Stars:

Lorne Greene, Andrew Stevens, Martina Deignan

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Lorne Greene	...	Battalion Chief Joe Rorchek
Andrew Stevens	...	Ted Rorchek
Martina Deignan	...	Haley Green
Julie Adams	...	Ann Rorchek
Sam J. Jones	...	Chris Rorchek
Joe Maross	...	Captain Mike Benton
James Crittenden	...	Rags Harris
Joaquin Garay III	...	Rico Ortiz
Dennis Haysbert	...	Stuff Wade
Jack Lindine	...	Al Martelli
Anthony Pena	...	Johnny Raincloud (as Anthony Penya)
Robert Alda	...	Dr. Gerold Brooks
Burr DeBenning	...	Sam Buhl
Josh Albee	...	Art Waldon
Judith Penrod	...	Sharon Brooks

Storyline

This is the story of a family of fire fighters. Joe is the patriarch; he is a former fire fighter, who is currently an arson investigator. His son, Ted is fireman, who's laid back. His other son, Chris is helicopter pilot who flies the victims to the hospital if necessary. Presently, they are investigating a series of fires that appear to be insurance scam, because the property's owner is in debt and his property is heavily mortgaged. They have one of the arsonists, however, he was so disfigured by the fire that they can't identify him. So Joe is hoping that Ted, who saved him can convince him to help them. And also there's a situation at the firehouse, Haley Green is the first female fire fighter and some of the guys are not pleased with it.

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Plot Keywords:

arson investigation | fire bomb | arson | family relationships | tv series pilot | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1981 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Fire Station 49, 400 Yacht Street, Berth 194, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television, Irwin Allen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Code Red (1981)

User Reviews

Pilot to Short-lived ABC-TV series

This TV-movie served as a pilot to the last series produced by Irwin Allen (Master of Disaster). The series concerned itself with the exploits of a family of firefighters headed by Lorne Greene. Of interest were a female firefighter and a Native-American arson investigator (two non-traditinal roles).

Among members from prior Irwin Allen endeavors are Burr De Benning ("City Beneath the Sea", "Amazing Captain Nemo") and musician Richard LaSalle ("Land of the Giants", "Swiss Family Robinson", "Fire", etc.).

The original concept of "Code Red" was based on a script by Irwin Allen called "Pumper One". The story was set in San Francisco and was based on the fire department featured in "The Towering Inferno". When Allen moved from Warner Bros. to Columbia Pictures in 1981, he had to remove all "Inferno" references. Thus, "Code Red" was born.