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Classic Cinema Spotlight: The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

May 02, 2025

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A Vintage Nerd, The Poseidon Adventure, Classic Movie Blog, 1970s Movies, Gene Hackman Movies

When people ask me what my favorite movies are I have to tell them to give me a decade and genre. There really are too many but I can say for sure that The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is on my list of favorites. There is something special about a movie that takes you along on the adventure. This film has its ups and downs-literally and figuratively-but its the characters and the journey they go on that pull me from the beginning to the very end. Rewatching it this time around for my post was extremely bittersweet especially now with the loss of Gene Hackman. Out of the eleven actors from the main cast only two remain-Pamela Sue Martin (Susan Shelby) and Eric Shea (Robin Shelby). I can honestly say I have watched this film many times through the years, even once on the big screen and every time I am completely captivated.

Before the film, The Poseidon Adventure was an American adventure novel written by Paul Gallico and published in 1969. The film itself is one of many disaster films that were made in the 1970's. What set this film apart was the writing. That credit goes to Stirling Silliphant and Wendell Mayes who adapted Gallico's book into a screenplay. The film was then directed by Ronald Neame (Scrooge 1970) who took on the reins of this massive movie and produced by Irwin Allen who also produced The Towering Inferno (1974).

The film begins with conflict between the SS Poseidon's Captain Harrison played by Leslie Nielsen and Mr. Linarcos played by Fred Sadoff. Mr. Linarcos is a representative of the new owners of the ship who is insistent that ship goes full speed despite having issues with the ships ballast (compartment on ship that regulates water and controls buoyancy). The ship was already on its final voyage to become scrap and a undersea earthquake near Greece along with a looming tsunami coming their way could prove disastrous for everyone aboard the SS Poseidon.

On the days leading the New Year's Eve we get to know more of the main cast of characters such as; Gene Hackman as the Reverend Frank Scott who is a a minister who believes "God helps those who help themselves", Arthur O'Connell as Chaplain John, Pamela Sue Martin and Eric Shea as Susan and Robin Shelby who are traveling to meet their parents, Ernest Borgnine as Det. Lieutenant Mike Rogo and his wife Linda Rogo-a former prostitute played by Stella Stevens, as well as Mr. Manny Rosen and his wife Belle Rosen played by Jack Albertson and Shelley Winters. On the evening of New Year's we get introduced to Mr. James Martin, a lonely health conscious bachelor played by Red Buttons, Nonnie Parry, a singer played by Carol Lynley, and Acres, a waiter played by Roddy McDowall.

While the festivities of the New Year's celebrations are happening the ships Captain receives a warning. Before the Captain can do much of anything the ship is hit broadside and capsizes, floating upside-down because of a combination of the lack of the ships ballast, the condition of the ship, and the tsunami. Suddenly everyone on board goes from celebrating the New Year to being flung upside down in sheer horror. Afterwards Reverend Scott begins to take stock of the situation and makes a decision (thanks to the good idea given by Mr. Martin & Robin) that the safest place to be would be the ships hull. The ships purser tells everyone that this is a mad idea but Acres, Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, Rogo and his wife Linda, Nonnie, Mr. Martin, and Susan and Robin Shelby all decide to climb up the Christmas tree and follow Reverend Scott to the ships hull.

That one decision sets everything in motion for this group of ten survivors. Reverend Scott is a deep believer that one should help themselves as God would want them too-is utterly convinced that if they stay put they will most certainly die. As soon as they all reach the top more explosions happen and the dining room full of the other survivors including Reverend Scott's good friend Chaplain John, all perish when water begins to fill the room and the ship begins to sink.

Reverend Scott's group begins to move toward the hull hoping that they can find a way out. The group climbs a ventilation shaft, enters a flooded engine room, participates in underwater swimming, deals with multiple mini explosions, and enters a dangerous propeller shaft. All the while they are challenged to survive even when some are lost along the way. Any more details about what happens will take away the experience of watching these characters brave the horror of trying to survive in a sinking ship.

Watching what each character goes through and how they manage to move forward hoping that they will find their way out of this nightmare is what makes this film truly an adventure. This film was shot in sequence which is rare in the movie making world. You witness the characters go from glitzy to down trodden which makes it all the more believable. Amazingly all of the actors in this film did most of their own stunts. Ernest Borgnine once said in an interview that this was the most physically demanding movie he ever did. The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is one of my favorite films because takes you on an emotional journey that has many moments of bittersweetness which make this movie utterly unforgettable.

Classic Cinema Spotlight: The Lady Vanishes (1938)

April 25, 2025

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Classic Cinema

The Lady Vanishes (1938) stars Margaret Lockwood as Iris Henderson, a wealthy English tourist who who is enjoying time with her girlfriends on the slopes of the fictional countryside of Bandrika. Iris is about to get married because she figures she has done everything in life and she should just settle down. In the midst of all this an avalanche happens and those who were traveling through by train are stranded. Everyone clamors to get a room in the only hotel around and that is where you will slowly get introduced to the other characters in this film.

Upstairs from Iris's room is a young ethnomusicologist named Gilbert Redman (Michael Redgrave) who disturbs Iris with his loud clarinet, Miss Froy (Dame Mae Whitty) who is a a former governess, Caldicott (Naunton Wayne) and Charters (Basil Radford) who are cricket enthusiasts trying to get to some last games, and a lawyer named Eric Todhunter (Cecil Parker) who is traveling with his mistress (Linden Travers). The next day everyone boards the train to head to their separate destinations without a hitch.

That is until Iris faints after having her head hit with an object and eventually joining Miss Froy and several strangers in a compartment to rest. When Iris begins to feel better she joins Miss Froy in the dining car for tea. They have a good chat and Miss Froy writes her name (Froy) in the dew on the window next to them. Soon after, they return to their compartment, where Iris falls asleep. When Iris wakes up, Miss Froy has vanished, and the other passengers in the compartment and some of the train staff begin to deny having seen her.

The film begins really slow but picks up the pace once the sweet Miss Froy goes missing. Iris refuses to believe that Miss Froy didn't exist. Only Gilbert, the ethnomusicologist who disturbed her sleep the night before in the hotel would be the one who believed her claims. After some time Iris began to doubt herself after a man named Dr. Hartz (Paul Lukas) told her that the injury on her head most likely distorted her memories. It didn't help that where Miss Froy was sitting in the compartment now sits a lady dressed in similar clothes but looking nothing like the real Miss Froy.

As all this confusion ensues you might begin to ask yourself if it was all of Iris's imagination or why everyone around her seems to not remember the nice old lady she was having tea with before. Iris and Gilbert decide to figure this mystery out which leads them down a an unexpected path. The Lady Vanishes (1938) isn't just a typical Hitchcock whodunit but it blends humor, action, and even a little romance.

While you try to figure out where Miss Froy is and who she is, keep your eye on the rest of the cast. Everyone from the hotel manager to the cricket obsessed Caldicott and Charters give unforgettable performances. Fun movie fact is that the hilarious characters of Caldicott (Naunton Wayne) and Charters (Basil Radford) went on to do three more films after this one; Night Train to Munich (1940), Crook's Tour (1941), and Millions Like Us (1943).

A Vintage Nerd, The Lady Vanishes (1938), Alfred Hitchcock, Classic Movie Blog, Classic Cinema Review, Classic Movie Reviews

7 More Vintage Easter Recipes

April 17, 2025

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Retro Food

With Easter around the corner there is a lot of prepping and cooking that happens this time of the year. A few years ago I shared 7 Vintage Easter Recipes which you can see HERE. I thought I would share a few more for some inspiration. There is something to be said about vintage food recipes-they are timeless.

Here are 7 more vintage Easter recipes that you can enjoy this springtime:

I Love Lucy (1951-1957) & Guest Stars Who Played Themselves

April 10, 2025

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Classic TV Land

A Vintage Nerd, Classic Movie Blog, I Love Lucy, I Love Lucy Guest Stars, Classic TV Shows, TVLand, Lucille Ball

I Love Lucy (1951-1957) is one of those shows that is absolutely timeless. The cast had perfect comedic timing and the storylines were always fun. You were guaranteed a good time anytime you watched the show. What made it even more fun were the times they would have guest stars join in on their adventures. Some of the guest stars played specific characters in an episode and some simply played themselves. Lucy and Desi were able to get huge stars such as; Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, and John Wayne. Most added to the storyline like William Holden, Van Johnson, and Harpo Marx while some were cameos like Eve Arden's appearance. Either way having these guest stars pop in an I Love Lucy episode added to the laughs and made the episodes extra special.

Here are some guest stars on I Love Lucy who played themselves:

William Holden: Season 4: Episode 17 "L.A. at Last" (1955)

Eve Arden: Season 4: Episode 17 "L.A. at Last" (1955)

Hedda Hopper: Season 4: Episode 21 "The Hedda Hopper Show" (1955)

Cornel Wilde: Season 4: Episode 25 "The Star Upstairs" (1955)

Rock Hudson: Season 4: Episode 26 "In Palm Springs" (1955)

Van Johnson: Season 4: Episode 27 "Dancing Star" (1955)

Harpo Marx: Season 4: Episode 28 "Harpo Marx" (1955)

Richard Widmark: Season 4: Episode 30 "The Tour" (1955)

John Wayne: Season 5: Episode 1 "Lucy Visits Graumans" & Episode 2 "Lucy and John Wayne" (1955)

Charles Boyer: Season 5: Episode 19 "Lucy Meets Charles Boyer" (1956)

Bob Hope: Season 6: Episode 1 "Lucy Meets Bob Hope (1956)

Orson Welles: Season 6: Episode 3 "Lucy Meets Orson Welles" (1956)

Classic Cinema Spotlight: The Shuttered Room (1967)

March 28, 2025

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Classic Cinema

A Vintage Nerd, Classic Movie Blog, The Shuttered Room (1967), 1960's Movies, Carol Lynley, Gig Young, Oliver Reed, Vintage Blog

B movies can be defined as a type of cheap, low-budget film. A type of film that may have well known stars of the time in it but not necessarily have the big budget or the backing of a studio. Although B movies aren't usually popular in the mainstream, they are just as a fun and enjoyable as big budget popular films. The 1960's came out with slew of entertaining B movies-The Shuttered Room (1967) being one of them. This film is loosely based on an anthology called The Shuttered Room and Other Pieces which was a blend of fantasy and horror short stories, essays and memoirs by American author H. P. Lovecraft and others.

The Shuttered Room (1967) stars Gig Young as Mike Kelton and Carol Lynley as his wife, Susannah Whately Kelton. The film begins with some fantastic cinematography by Kenneth Hodges who sets up the mystery and creepiness which was about to unfold perfectly. The next scenes show parents caring for their child when suddenly they are approached by an unexpected visitor who they store in a shuttered room. Fast forward fifteen plus years and a young wife named Susannah is seen with her distinguished husband Mike heading to an island called Dunwich. Susannah shares with Mike her worries and fears about returning to the home she once knew as a child.

While Susannah grapples with her past, every local they meet starts to warn them that they should leave the island immediately. Even Susannah's Aunt Agatha (Flora Robson) who reconnects with her after sending her off as a child, tells them both that the Whately property is cursed. Although Susannah and Mike want to make her old family home into their new summer home, they are rattled by the warnings.

Despite the possible dangers, Mike and Susannah decide to stay the night in her decrepit house. The next day they are met with not only more warnings but Susannah's bizarre cousin Ethan (Oliver Reed) and his gang of local thugs. Ethan begins to obsess over Susannah which creates some odd and uncomfortable situations. Ethan and his gang cause a lot of chaos throughout the entire film which was both creepy and distracting.

The mystery of Susannah's childhood and the house she is now reclaiming as an adult do not come to a head until the end of the film. It is in the films final minutes that the elusive shuttered room that was seen at the beginning of the film is finally revealed. There is a lot that goes unsaid about Susannah's family history and about the hidden person found in that room. What I found interesting was the question that was asked frequently from the beginning to the end of the film-if Susannah was pretty. I can only speculate that between the behavior of the local men and even the male folk in the Whately clan-that something dreadful happened to the crazed soul that was chained and locked in that shuttered room. In the final scenes of the film the Whately property burns to the ground and I couldn't help but wonder that perhaps not all mysteries need to be solved.