The Horror at 37,000 Feet
| The Horror at 37,000 Feet | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Genre | Horror |
| Written by | Ronald Austin James D. Buchanan |
| Directed by | David Lowell Rich |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Morton Stevens |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Anthony Wilson |
| Cinematography | Earl Rath |
| Editor | Bud S. Isaacs |
| Running time | 73 minutes |
| Production company | CBS |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release |
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The Horror at 37,000 Feet is an American horror television movie made for CBS Television by David Lowell Rich.[1] The film first aired in 1973. In the movie, demonic forces terrorize the passengers on a Boeing 747 en route from London to New York.[2]
William Shatner, who ten years earlier had starred in the Twilight Zone episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", plays an ex-priest.
Plot
On a Boeing 747 flight from London to Los Angeles piloted by Captain Ernie Slade (Chuck Connors), a wealthy architect (Roy Thinnes) and his wife (Jane Merrow) have placed a druid sacrificial altar in the baggage hold of the airliner. Aboard for the ill-fated trip is ex-priest Paul Kovalik (William Shatner) and millionaire Glenn Farlee (Buddy Ebsen). Soon after takeoff, crew and passengers alike face the supernatural horror that is unleashed from the baggage compartment – the ghosts of the druids, that are seeking revenge from being uprooted from their ancient home.
Cast
- Chuck Connors as Captain Ernie Slade
- Buddy Ebsen as Glenn Farlee
- William Shatner as Paul Kovalik
- Roy Thinnes as Alan O'Neill
- Jane Merrow as Sheila O'Neill
- Tammy Grimes as Mrs. Pinder
- Lynn Loring as Manya
- Paul Winfield as Dr. Enkalla
- France Nuyen as Annalik
- Will Hutchins as Steve Holcomb
- Darleen Carr as Margot
- Russell Johnson as Jim Hawley
- H.M. Wynant as Frank Driscoll
- Mia Bendixsen as Jodi
Production
The Horror at 37,000 Feet was entirely shot on sound stages at the CBS Studio Center, Studio City, California.[3]
Reception
In a later review, critic Richard Scheib commented: "The Horror at 37,000 Feet is a silly film, although to its credit it and most of the principals do maintain a degree of intent gravity and at least treat the exercise seriously."[4]
Shatner described his character's demise in the movie as one of his "unique ways" of dying: "I get sucked out of an airplane while carrying a lit torch into the airliner's baggage compartment to try to confront a druid ghost." According to Shatner, many of his fans consider the movie the worst film in which he has ever appeared.[5]
References
Notes
- ^ Roberts 2009, p. 475.
- ^ Young 2000, p. 285.
- ^ "Details: 'The Horror at 37,000 Feet'." IMDb. Retrieved: March 26, 2015.
- ^ Scheib, Richard. "Review: 'The Horror at 37,000 Feet'." Moria. Retrieved: March 26, 2015.
- ^ Shatner and Fisher 2009, pp. 167–168.
Bibliography
- Roberts, Jerry. Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-81086-138-1.
- Shatner, William and David Fisher. Up Till Now: The Autobiography. New York: MacMillan, 2009. ISBN 978-0-312-56163-5.
- Young, R.G. The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. Winona, Minnesota: Hal Leonard Corporation, 2000. ISBN 978-1-55783-269-6.