Updated: December 26, 2021

The Cast & Crew of the Towering Inferno - 1974

Cast:

Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Jones, Fred Astaire, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn.

Crew:

Irwin Allen Director, John Guillermin Director, Stirling Silliphant Producer, Irwin Allen Producer, Fred Koenekamp Director of Photography, Joseph Biroc Director of Photography, Harold F. Kress Editor, William J. Creber Production Designer, Ward Preston Art Director, John Williams Composer, Paul Zastupnevich Costume Designer, Carl Kress Editor.

One hundred and thirty stories of glass and steel pierce the landscape, a monument to architectural know how and the power of money. But the builders have taken some cash saving shortcuts, and it takes just one spark from an electric current to set off a disaster.

During a celebratory party full of wealthy movers and shakers, the tower bursts into flames, and chaos erupts as the raging force of nature envelopes the structure. A courageous fire captain on the outside and the desperate architect trapped inside struggle to save the guests from the fire created by their greedy manipulations.

Warner Brothers, which owned Richard Martin Stern's "The Tower," and 20th Century Fox, which owned Thomas N. Scotia and Frank Robinson's "The Glass Inferno," joined artistic and financial forces to produce this film. It cost approximately $14 million to make and made $55 million in domestic release and $150 million worldwide.

Color by DeLuxe; shot in Panavision.

200 stunts were performed by 100 stunt doubles; however stars Steve McQueen and Paul Newman both preferred to do their own stunt work, including the last one where they were tied down along with the rest of the guests, and millions of gallons of water were released on top of them.

Additional cast: Elizabeth Rogers (Lady in Buoy), Ann Leicester (Guest), Norman Grabowski (Flaker), Olan Soule (Johnson), Carlena Gower (Angela Allbright), Carol McEvoy (Mrs. Allbright), Paul Comi (Tim), George Wallace (Chief Officer), Patrick Culliton (Technician), Erik Nelson (Wes), and Art Ballinger (Announcer).

Additional credits: Orville Hallbert (camera operator action sequences), Ted Keep (scoring mixer), Don White and Phil Ball Assistant directors), Vanderveer Photo Effects (opticals), and Pacific Title (titles).

The producers gratefully acknowledged the cooperation of:

San Francisco Fire Department,

San Francisco Board of Fire Commissioners, Keith P. Calden, Chief of San Francisco Fire Dept., Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles City Board of Fire Commissioners, Raymond M. Hill, Chief of Los Angeles Fire Dept.

Dedication: To those who give their lives so that others might live to the fire fighters of the world this picture is gratefully dedicated.

"The Towering Inferno" was actress Jennifer Jones last screen appearance.