JERRY JAMESON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB

USA, 1977.  Universal Pictures.  Story by H.A.L. Craig, Charles Kuenstle, Screenplay by Michael Scheff, David Spector, based on the novel Airport by Arthur Hailey.  Cinematography by Philip H. Lathrop.  Produced by William Frye.  Music by John Cacavas.  Production Design by George C. Webb.  Costume Design by Edith Head, Burton Miller.  Film Editing by Robert Watts, J. Terry Williams.  

In this embarrassing second sequel to the original 1970 hit film (which isn’t looking that good either), a grab-bag of jet setters and celebrities are transported to an island mansion by a millionaire (James Stewart) on a luxurious airplane whose interior is the size of the Taj Mahal. The grand event they are going out there for, the millionaire’s opening of his new art gallery, is delayed when criminals sabotage the plane and it ends up lying on the bottom of the ocean. The colourful array of cast members keep this turkey going, particularly a riveting Lee Grant, but there’s no denying that this is a cheeseball soap opera with the mild trappings of a disaster film. Jack Lemmon (whose salary could be the only explanation for his appearance here) plays the stalwart pilot, while passengers include Christopher Lee and Olivia de Havilland.

Academy Award Nominations:  Best Art Direction; Best Costume Design