Copyright 30 September 1964 by Arcola Pictures. An Aaron Rosenberg Production, released through 20th Century-Fox. New York opening at the Palace and local cinemas: 9 December 1964. U.S. release: 30 September 1964. U.K. release: November 1964. Sydney opening at the Regent. 9,506 feet. 105 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: One night on a lonely beach near the Los Angeles Airport, Consolidated Airlines flight 22 piloted by Captain Jack Savage (Rod Taylor) crashes and burns. All passengers and crew are killed, with the exception of a stewardess, Martha Webster (played by Suzanne Pleshette).
Sam McBane (Glenn Ford) Director of Flight Operations for the Airline, rushes to the scene of the accident. He is told by airport personnel that Savage reported his right engine on fire shortly after takeoff and requested permission to land. Savage was told to maintain altitude on his left engine until a flight path was cleared. Minutes later, the plane crashed. McBane is baffled by the accident. It is his assignment to determine the accident's cause, but he can find no logical reason. Surely the plane could have maintained altitude on one engine. What else could have gone wrong?
COMMENT: Flashbacks, that's the problem. Much as I enjoyed Jane Russell's guest spot, all the re-enactments really do is to flesh out the part played by Rod Taylor. As Mr. Taylor is not an actor over-loaded with charisma, I can do without these unnecessary scenes.
Otherwise it's not a bad little film, with some good suspense — even if the solution is somewhat too pat and thus unsatisfying. Glenn Ford is his usual reliable self, and the support cast is loaded with interest.
SYNOPSIS: One night on a lonely beach near the Los Angeles Airport, Consolidated Airlines flight 22 piloted by Captain Jack Savage (Rod Taylor) crashes and burns. All passengers and crew are killed, with the exception of a stewardess, Martha Webster (played by Suzanne Pleshette).
Sam McBane (Glenn Ford) Director of Flight Operations for the Airline, rushes to the scene of the accident. He is told by airport personnel that Savage reported his right engine on fire shortly after takeoff and requested permission to land. Savage was told to maintain altitude on his left engine until a flight path was cleared. Minutes later, the plane crashed. McBane is baffled by the accident. It is his assignment to determine the accident's cause, but he can find no logical reason. Surely the plane could have maintained altitude on one engine. What else could have gone wrong?
COMMENT: Flashbacks, that's the problem. Much as I enjoyed Jane Russell's guest spot, all the re-enactments really do is to flesh out the part played by Rod Taylor. As Mr. Taylor is not an actor over-loaded with charisma, I can do without these unnecessary scenes.
Otherwise it's not a bad little film, with some good suspense — even if the solution is somewhat too pat and thus unsatisfying. Glenn Ford is his usual reliable self, and the support cast is loaded with interest.