You have no idea how thrilled I was to get this film for the Shelley Winters Blog-a-thon. For me, The Poseidon Adventure is more than a movie. It is the moment I became a true Film Buff.
Up until that time, my movie-going was tied to my parents and my siblings. Don't get me wrong. Going to the theater with them was always fun. But I had reached a point where seeing films like "Brothers of the Wind" and "The Sound of Music" had worn thin. I wanted to see "real" films; ones that I picked. We had a Dollar Movie within walking distance. Dollar Movie Theaters showed "Second Run" films or films that had already done the "big" theater chains. That became my escape.
actual photo of the theater at the Mini-Mall
On a Saturday, I grabbed a dollar and walked across Route 130 to the Cinnaminson Mini-Mall. The matinee was The Poseidon Adventure. It would be the first film I went to solo.
One of the first in a line of Disaster Films, the Poseidon Adventure would be followed by films like "The Towering Inferno" and "Earthquake". I would see them too.
The movie boasted one of the most unique settings for a film: an upside-down ocean liner. That was the draw. Anyone can run through a burning building or jump cracks in the ground. But a world where everything is topsy-turvy. How could I resist?
As with any ensemble cast, the beginning of the film is there to introduce the characters. In no particular order, we meet:
A policeman and his used-to-be-a-hooker wife played by Ernest Borgnine (one Oscar) and Stella Stevens (one Golden Globe), respectively.
A single man who spends much of his time jogging around the deck, played by Red Buttons (one Oscar).
His character is noticed by a older couple, going off to meet their new grandson, played by Jack Albertson (one Oscar) and Shelley Winters (two Oscars).
An older and a younger priest argue over faith and values, played by Arthur O'Connell (two Oscar nominations) and Gene Hackman (one Oscar).
An English butler played by Roddy McDowall.
An annoying brother and his annoyed sister, played by Eric Shea and Pamela Sue Martin.
The lead singer of a band, who gets to sing "The Morning After" in the film, played by Carol Lynley.
The captain of the ship played by Leslie Nielsen.
Could anyone actually afford such a cast today? Highly doubtful.
When we meet Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters) and her husband, Manny (Jack Albertson), they are relaxing on deck chairs. They see James Martin (Red Buttons) as he passes, taking his morning jog. Belle watches with interest. She observes that he runs because he's lonely. Manny looks somewhat exasperated. Belle is going to try to fix someone up again. He advises her to leave well enough alone. Of course, she really doesn't listen. Mrs. Winters' character is a kindhearted woman with a loving husband. The two are never seen apart. As usual, she plays it beautifully. There is nothing you don't like about Mrs. Rosen.
During the New Year's celebration, the ship is hit by a giant tidal wave and turns upside down. Gene Hackman gathers some survivors with him to venture through the boat to the bottom, which is now the top. Using the Christmas Tree to reach an access point, they climb out of the ballroom. Belle, being a bit rotund, gets stuck. It seems to be her fate to stay until a slap on the behind by Hackman gets her moving up the tree. The small band of survivors escapes just before the ballroom fills with water.
At another point, Belle needs help going up an upside down staircase. They wrap a fire hose around her to pull her up. Of course, Eric Shea's character tells her not to worry, that he helped his father land a marlin when they were fishing. He does later apologize for his remark. Belle is very forgiving.
The fat jokes end there.
Winters' character, although confident in the love department, is sure she won't live to see the closing credits. At one point, she gives her husband something to give their grandson, as though she couldn't go on. In spite of those moments, she does carry on. That lack of belief disappears when Gene Hackman is trapped by falling debris underwater. She shows off a medal that she earned as a child for underwater swimming and dives in to save him. And does!
Overall, she plays the role of Belle with love and heart.You would have to be made of stone to want someone other than Shelley Winters to be your grandmother!
Shelley Winters was a guest on the Mike Douglas Show shortly after the movie premiered. They show the underwater scene. She points out that during the shots, she is constantly pushing the hair from in front of her face. She wanted people to see that it was her performing the stunt. Several articles have appeared confirming this. Was there anything that she could not do?
Playing a loving character like Belle shows the versatility of Shelley Winters. Consider that the previous year would find her in three horror movies (Revenge!, What's the Matter with Helen? and Whoever slew Auntie Roo?). To be able to cross genres as easily as she did is the mark of a true professional.
Of the nine Oscar nominations, only Shelley Winters would garner an acting nod for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Belle. It would be her fourth nomination. Although she didn't win, she would win the Golden Globe for her portrayal. It would be her first Globe in five nominations.
Oh, wait. I think there are other cast members. Well, some make it, some don't. If you want to find out who survives, you'll have to see the movie. And, for goodness sake, see the original, not the remake. You can't get a film with that much talent in one place. That is, unless you watch "Earthquake" or "The Towering Inferno". But do it after you've seen "The Poseidon Adventure."
Bonus:
Mad Magazine got into the act as well with their parody, "The Poopside Down Adventure." I couldn't resist.
