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Paul Newman and Steve McQueen epitomized the charisma of 1970s Hollywood, captivating audiences and solidifying their legacies as iconic actors. In 1974, they teamed up for the spectacular disaster film The Towering Inferno, which centers on the heroic efforts of two men battling a massive fire in a high-rise building to save trapped souls during a grand opening ceremony.
Despite their cinematic prowess and widespread popularity, Newman and McQueen’s contrasting personalities and egos created a tumultuous atmosphere on set. As we delve into their infamous rivalry, we uncover the complexities that shaped the production of this cinematic masterpiece.
The Towering Inferno features a highly impressive cast including not only Newman and McQueen but also Faye Dunaway and Fred Astaire. The film is based on the concurrent narratives of Richard Martin Stern’s The Tower and Frank M. Robinson’s The Glass Inferno. The plot revolves around a life-threatening blaze igniting in a luxurious San Francisco skyscraper, with McQueen’s character, Chief Michael O’Hallorhan, and Newman’s architect, Doug Roberts, leading the charge to avert disaster.
To avoid competing films about skyscraper fires, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. opted for a collaborative venture after a fierce bidding contest for the rights to both novels. The studios combined themes from the two narratives, resulting in a budget of $14 million and a new screenplay, with McQueen and Newman each receiving a hefty paycheck of $1 million for their roles.
Newman & McQueen’s Fiery On-Set Feud
The presence of two of Hollywood’s heavyweight actors inevitably led to heightened tension on set. Both were riding the wave of their respective successes, with McQueen coming off hits like The Great Escape and Bullitt, and Newman basking in the acclaim from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Cool Hand Luke. Their shared interests in racing and thrill-seeking only intensified their competitive spirits.
From the onset of filming, Newman and McQueen’s rivalry became apparent. McQueen expressed dissatisfaction with his character’s dialogue compared to Newman’s, prompting him to request additional lines from the screenplay. His fixation on screen time soon aggravated Newman, especially as friend A.E. Hotchner visited the set and witnessed the friction firsthand.
As reported by Hotchner in an interview with Best Life Online, Newman was deeply frustrated by McQueen’s demands and referred to him using stark language, noting that each filming day felt as uncomfortable as a trip to the dentist. McQueen was not new to contentious relationships on set, previously clashing with Yul Brynner while filming The Magnificent Seven due to similar competitive dynamics.
Both actors continued to push their limits during filming, as Newman insisted on performing many of his own stunts, while McQueen donned full firefighter gear for authenticity. Their dedication led to physical injuries, including Newman suffering a burn and McQueen spraining his ankle. The rivalry extended to the marketing as well, with studios finding creative solutions to showcase both actors’ names equally on promotional materials. Regardless of personal conflicts, The Towering Inferno emerged as a box office sensation.
The Towering Inferno Becomes a Celebrated Classic
The challenges surrounding its production did not halt the film’s success. Upon its release on December 16, 1974, The Towering Inferno was met with acclaim, being hailed by Variety as “one of the greatest disaster pictures made.” The film grossed over $203 million, becoming the top-grossing film of the year and earning eight Academy Award nominations, winning three, including for Best Original Song.
Audiences were impressed by the stunning visuals and the compelling performances from a heavy-hitting cast, solidifying The Towering Inferno as a landmark achievement for both Newman and McQueen. With their $1 million compensation plus a percentage of the profits, Newman reportedly made around $12 million (equivalent to roughly $77 million today); yet, the experience left him vowing never to take on another film for financial gain alone, expressing frustration about the production in candid remarks to Hotchner. “For the first time, I fell for the godd**n numbers,” he lamented, reinforcing his commitment to pursuing projects fueled by passion rather than profit.
Buy The Towering Inferno on Prime Video.
Source
movieweb.com