History Film / TheToweringInferno

* ActionPolitician: Downplayed, but Mayor Ramsey and Senator Powers refuse to panic or capitalize on their status to try and get rescued over anyone else, help keep order among the panicked guests, and Powers races to try and stop Simmons and his companions from swamping the breeches buoy. [[AdaptedOut Governor Armitage and Senator Peters]] from ''The Tower'' also count, although [[DirtyCoward Congressman Wycoff is a subversion]].

* HateSink: Roger Simmons, and to a lesser extent, Jim Duncan. The fact the tower is on fire and that there's so many victims can be placed completely at their feet, because of incompetence, penny-pinching, nepotism and looking for political benefits over everything else.

* DeathBySex: Bigelow and his secretary are killed almost immediately after a sexual rendezvous in his apartment... [[DeathByIrony just before the fire crew arrive on their level.]]
** To top it off, he actually [[NoPhonesTonight disconnected his phone]] so as not to be disturbed during their activities. Had he not done so, he'd have been told about the fire right away.

A 1974 DisasterMovie produced by Creator/IrwinAllen, directed by John Guillermin and featuring an AllStarCast headed by Creator/SteveMcQueenActor and Creator/PaulNewman.

* BittersweetEnding: Despite O'Hallorhan's report that the loss of life in the disaster could've been a lot worse, we are still left with the haunting images of the nearly 200 people who didn't survive the blaze and with [[SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped a grim lesson]] in what happens when architectural safety in a high-rise building is compromised. [[spoiler:Not to mention that San Francisco loses both their senator and their mayor.]]

** For Bigelow and his secretary/lover Lorrie. Bigelow thinks he can pull off a HeroicSacrifice, running through the flames to search for the firemen to save Lorrie. He [[GoOutWithASMile gives her a last smile, too, before going]]. We start to think he might really do it. And then RealityEnsues, the aforementioned aversion of ConvectionSchmonvection happens and he burns alive in a matter of seconds. She follows quickly.

* InfantImmortality: the only two children we see, Phillip and Angela, get down safely.

[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_towering_inferno_moive_poster.jpg]]

[[quoteright:290:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_towering_inferno_moive_poster.jpg]]

Sure enough, because of the faulty wiring resulting from said cut corners, a short circuit in a janitor's closet grows into a massive fire. As the guests become trapped in the building, it falls on [[DaChief Fire Chief O'Hallorhan]] ([=McQueen=]) and the San Francisco Fire Department to help save the day.

* YourCheatingHeart: Roger Simmons cheats on his wife Patty. He tries to pick Susan Franklin up during the party.

* DownerEnding: Despite O'Hallorhan's report that the loss of life in the disaster could've been a lot worse, we are still left with the haunting images of the nearly 200 people who didn't survive the blaze and with [[SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped a grim lesson]] in what happens when architectural safety in a high-rise building is compromised. Not to mention that San Francisco loses both their senator and their mayor.

* DirtyCoward: Roger Simmons, who takes the lift before his turn and pushes a man clinging to it to his death.

*** Ian Douglas, an interior designer and the one who discovers and reports the fire (ironically in the process of preparing to [[InsuranceFraud burn his own storeroom for the insurance]] makes his way to the top floor along with a cleaning lady and her AddledAddict son, and takes charge of the survivors left there.

*** Jeffrey Quantrell (a reporter who'd been covering the flaws of the building, leading to a libel suit which was just about to get him fired when the building accidentally did catch fire.

*** Will Shevelson (a construction manager fired for complaining about the cost-cutting who gave information to Quantrell and later supplies the fire department with the only 100% accurate plans to the building).

*** John Connors, a disgruntled sheet metal worker who starts the electrical fire while setting off a bomb (not meant to kill anyone) out of a vendetta against the city over the death of his wife.

*** The U.N. Inspector General (a holocaust survival with a somewhat practical view of how people react to disaster).

*** Grover Frazee, a minor political in charge of organizing the party who ignores warnings about the fire potential.

*** The U.N. Inspector General (a holocaust survival with a somewhat practical view of his people react to disaster).

*** An unnamed waiter with three children who draws one of the last numbers to be evacuated in the lottery but is nonetheless accepting of his fate.

*** Senior architect Ben Caldwell, who is concerned about the possibility of corner cutting but underestimates it, and posses a keen idea of how unlikely any rescue attempts are to save everyone.

*** Simmons' Secretary and former Mistress [[WomanScorned Ruth]], who sends evidence of his misconduct to the authorities.
*** CorruptCorporateExecutive J. Paul Norris, a guest unwilling to let the women take the elevator down first when it looks safe.
*** Firemen Dennis Howard and Lou Storr, who are sent to try and open some blocked stairwell doors but end up taking refuge along with the trapped party guests.

** In both books, only one person is killed by the burning elevators, as opposed to a crowd that rushes them. In ''The Glass Inferno'' the building owner manages to keep the panicking restaurant customers who want to go down in the elevator from doing so by pointing out that if the elevator was safe, then the firemen would have came up in it to help them. Several floors below and sometime earlier, Security Chief Jernigan also prevents a rush on the elevators, after seeing signs of fire damage, by punching out a belligerent Tennant. One building employee who drunkenly tries to take the elevator is killed, though. In ''The Tower'' one guest hijacks the elevator, which was falsely assumed to be safe, right before it would have been used to evacuate the women [[HoistByHisOwnPetard causing him to die while they remained up there]].

** From ''The Glass Inferno'' There's Ian Douglas, an interior designer and the one who discovers and reports the fire (ironically in the process of preparing to [[InsuranceFraud burn his own storeroom for the insurance]] makes his way to the top floor along with a cleaning lady and her AddledAddict son, and takes charge of the survivors left there. Jeffrey Quantrell (a reporter who'd been covering the flaws of the building, leading to a libel suit which was just about to get him fired when the building accidentally did catch fire. Krost (a [[TheAlcoholic drunken]] maintenance man who accidentally causes the fire by hiding a bottle of whiskey with a lit cigarette inside it. Donaldson, another maintenance man who helps coordinate with the firefighters. Griff Edwards, the building engineer. [[BeleagueredBureaucrat Fire Chief Fuchs]] and his firefighter son Mark (who are both injured fighting the fire). Mark's rookie partner and high school classmate Dave Lencho. The Harris family (the parents and eldest daughter are at a movie while the younger children are saved by Jernigan early on and had taken anti-fire precautions they'd learned from Lisolette). Jernigan's assistant Art Garfunkel. Two restaurant customers who initially try to commandeer one of the unsafe elevators but are persuaded to help get people out of the one safe elevator in an orderly fashion instead. Will Shevelson (a construction manager fired for complaining about the cost-cutting who gave information to Quantrell and later supplies the fire department with the only 100% accurate plans to the building). A group of trapped firemen who escape down the elevator cables (losing one of their number in the process). Lex Hughes (an unhappy accountant who, [[WhatYouAreInTheDark ends up trying to rob his office]] upon realizing the fire would hide his theft). Thelma (the wife of the building owner, whose present during the fire).
** From ''The Tower'' There's John Connors, a disgruntled sheet metal worker who starts the electrical fire while setting off a bomb (not meant to kill anyone) out of a vendetta against the city over the death of his wife. Governor Bent Armitage, who serves as the BigGood of the story and takes charge of those trapped in the building. The unnamed fire commissioner (one of the party guests, who helps keep anyone from overrunning the beach buoys). Patrolmen Barnes and Shannon, who provide security outside of the tower both before and after the fire and provide a GreekChorus of sorts. Grover Frazee, a minor political in charge of organizing the party who ignores warnings about the fire potential. Simmons' accomplices safety inspector Harry Whittaker (who has a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment after seeing about the fire on the news) and electrical foreman Pat Harris (who is also implied to have murdered two construction workers who wanted to tell the architect about what he was up to). Congressman Cary Wycoff, who has Simmons role as the main rabble rouser inside of the building, and his older, cool-headed contemporary Jake Peters. Hilda Cook, a Broadway actress who is the first one down the beach buoys. The U.N. Inspector General (a holocaust survival with a somewhat practical view of his people react to disaster). Beth Shirley, Mayor Ramsey's cousin, and the Governor's love interest. An unnamed waiter with three children who draws one of the last numbers to be evacuated in the lottery but is nonetheless accepting of his fate. Joe Lewis, an electrician who wasn't in on Simmons' racket. Senior architect Ben Caldwell, who is concerned about the possibility of corner cutting but underestimates it, and posses a keen idea of how unlikely any rescue attempts are to save everyone. [[TheFundamentalist Reverend Willie Joe Thomas]] who preaches against the building as a symbol of idolatry both before and after the fire breaks out. Simmons' Secretary and former Mistress [[WomanScorned Ruth]], who sends evidence of his misconduct to the authorities. CorruptCorporateExecutive J. Paul Norris, a guest unwilling to let the women take the elevator down first when it looks safe. Firemen Dennis Howard and Lou Storr, who are sent to try and open some blocked stairwell doors but end up takin refuge along with the trapped party guests. Patty's mother, Mary. Coast Guardsmen Kronski and Oliver (who fire the Beach buoy harpoon).

** From ''The Glass Inferno'' There's [[BadassGay Ian Douglas]], an interior designer and the one who discovers and reports the fire (ironically in the process of preparing to [[InsuranceFraud burn his own storeroom for the insurance]] makes his way to the top floor along with a cleaning lady and her AddledAddict son, and takes charge of the survivors left there. Jeffrey Quantrell (a reporter who'd been covering the flaws of the building, leading to a libel suit which was just about to get him fired when the building accidentally did catch fire. Krost (a [[TheAlcoholic drunken]] maintenance man who accidentally causes the fire by hiding a bottle of whiskey with a lit cigarette inside it. Donaldson, another maintenance man who helps coordinate with the firefighters. Griff Edwards, the building engineer. [[BeleagueredBureaucrat Fire Chief Fuchs]] and his firefighter son Mark (who are both injured fighting the fire). Mark's rookie partner and high school classmate Dave Lencho. The Harris family (the parents and eldest daughter are at a movie while the younger children are saved by Jernigan early on and had taken anti-fire precautions they'd learned from Lisolette). Jernigan's assistant Art Garfunkel. Two restaurant customers who initially try to commandeer one of the unsafe elevators but are persuaded to help get people out of the one safe elevator in an orderly fashion instead. Will Shevelson (a construction manager fired for complaining about the cost-cutting who gave information to Quantrell and later supplies the fire department with the only 100% accurate plans to the building). A group of trapped firemen who escape down the elevator cables (losing one of their number in the process). Lex Hughes (an unhappy accountant who, [[WhatYouAreInTheDark ends up trying to rob his office]] upon realizing the fire would hide his theft). Thelma (the wife of the building owner, whose present during the fire).

** Mrs. Allbright's handicap and his son's headphones: we understand that she is deaf when she picks up her kids. Likewise, we see that her son Phillip wears headphones. This is the reason why they do not hear the evacuation signal later.

** From ''The Glass Inferno'' There's [[BadassGay Ian Douglas]] an interior designer and the one who discovers and reports the fire (ironically in the process of preparing to [[InsuranceFraud burn his own storeroom for the insurance]] makes his way to the top floor along with a cleaning lady and her AddledAddict son, and takes charge of the survivors left there. Jeffrey Quantrell (a reporter who'd been covering the flaws of the building, leading to a libel suit which was just about to get him fired when the building accidentally did catch fire. Krost (a [[TheAlcoholic drunken]] maintenance man who accidentally causes the fire by hiding a bottle of whiskey with a lit cigarette inside it. Donaldson, another maintenance man who helps coordinate with the firefighters. Griff Edwards, the building engineer. [[BeleagueredBureaucrat Fire Chief Fuchs]] and his firefighter son Mark (who are both injured fighting the fire). Mark's rookie partner and high school classmate Dave Lencho. The Harris family (the parents and eldest daughter are at a movie while the younger children are saved by Jernigan early on and had taken anti-fire precautions they'd learned from Lisolette). Jernigan's assistant art Garfunkel. Two restaurant customers who initially try to commandeer one of the unsafe elevators but are persuaded to help get people out of the one safe elevator in an orderly fashion instead. Will Shevelson (a construction manager fired for complaining about the cost-cutting who gave information to Quantrell and later supplies the fire department with the only 100% accurate plans to the building). A group of trapped firemen who escape down the elevator cables (losing one of their number in the process). Lex Hughes (an unhappy accountant who, [[WhatYouAreInTheDark ends up trying to rob his office]] upon realizing the fire would hide his theft). Thelma (the wife of the building owner, whose present during the fire).
** From ''The Tower'' There's John Connors, a disgruntled sheet metal worker who starts the electrical fire while setting off a bomb (not meant to kill anyone) out of a vendetta against the city over the death of his wife. Governor Bent Armitage, who serves as the BigGood of the story and takes charge of those trapped in the building. The unnamed fire commissioner (one of the party guests, who helps keep anyone from overrunning the beach buoys). Patrolmen Barnes and Shannon, who provide security outside of the tower both before and after the fire and provide a GreekChorus of sorts. Grover Frazee, a minor political in charge of organizing the party who ignores warnings about the fire potential. Simmons' accomplices safety inspector Harry Whittaker (who has a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment after seeing about the fire on the news) and electrical foreman Pat Harris (who is also implied to have murdered two construction workers who wanted to tell the architect about what he was up to). Congressman Cary Wycoff, who has Simmons role as the main rabble rouser inside of the building, and his older, cool-headed contemporary Jake Peters. Hilda Cook, a Broadway actress who is the first one down the beach buoys. The U.N. Inspector General (a holocaust survival with a somewhat practical view of his people react to disaster). Beth Shirley, Mayor Ramsey's cousin, and the Governor's love interest. An unnamed waiter with three children who draws one of the last numbers to be evacuated in the lottery but is nonetheless is accepting of his fate. Joe Lewis, an electrician who wasn't in on Simmons' racket. Senior architect Ben Caldwell, who is concerned about the possibility of corner cutting but underestimates it, and posses a keen idea of how unlikely any rescue attempts are to save everyone. [[TheFundamentalist Reverend Willie Joe Thomas]] who preaches against the building as a symbol of idolatry both before and after the fire breaks out. Simmons' Secretary and former Mistress [[WomanScorned Ruth]], who sends evidence of his misconduct to the authorities. CorruptCorporateExecutive J. Paul Norris, a guest unwilling to let the women take the elevator down first when it looks safe. Firemen Dennis Howard and Lou Storr, who are sent to try and open some blocked stairwell doors but end up takin refuge along with the trapped party guests. Patty's mother, Mary. Coast Guardsmen Kronski and Oliver (who fire the Beach buoy harpoon).

** Mrs. Allbright's handicap and his son's headphones: we understand that she is deaf when she picks up her kids. Likewise, we see that his son Phillip wears headphones. This is the reason why they do not hear the evacuation signal later.

* AnyoneCanDie: Major characters can easily plummet to their deaths or get burned to a crisp. [[spoiler:Of the actors on the poster, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, Robert Vaughn and Robert Wagner all die.]]

* SceneryPorn: The opening shots of the newly completed Glass Tower and nearby Peerless Tower in Downtown San Francisco are quite impressive; the Glass Tower itself is quite a marvel in and of itself.

* DeathByIrony: Roberts makes a point of getting Lisolette Mueller a coveted place on the scenic elevator for its gravity brake descent, [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished due to her help in ushering the Allbright children to safety]]. An explosion during said descent sends her plummeting out of the elevator to her death.

* DeathByIrony: Roberts makes a point of getting Lisolette Mueller a coveted place on the scenic elevator for its gravity brake descent, [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished due to her help in ushering the Allbright children to safety]]. An explosion during said descent sends her plummeting to her death.

* DeathByIrony: Roberts makes a point of getting Lisolette Mueller a coveted place on the scenic elevator for its gravity brake descent, due to her help in ushering the Allbright children to safety. An explosion during said descent sends her plummeting to her death.

* DeathByIrony: Roberts makes a point of getting Lisolette Mueller a place on the scenic elevator for its gravity brake descent, due to her help in ushering the Allbright children to safety. An explosion during said descent sends her plummeting to her death.

** The helicopter pilot who lands on the roof in ''The Glass Inferno'' doesn't crash and is able to successfully rescue many character that way.

* ActionPolitician: Downplayed, but Mayor Ramsey and Senator Powers refuse to panic or capitalize on their status to try and get rescued over anyone else, help keep order among the panicked guests, and Powers races to try and stop Simmons and his companions from swamping the beach buoy. [[AdaptedOut Governor Armitage and Senator Peters]] from ''The Tower'' also count, although [[DirtyCoward Congressman Wycoff is a subversion]].

* MenAreTheExpendableGender: While women do die in the film (such as [[spoiler: Lisolette and Lorrie]]), the majority of the victims are men. Doubly so in the finale, where only men are left in the penthouse when the charges destroy the water tanks (all the women having been saved by breeches buoy beforehand), causing many of them to die getting swept out the windows by the water or getting killed in the chaos.