Who will survive — in one of the greatest movie posts ever!
Today begins a new feature on Against the ‘70s: theme events! The first theme event is called Disaster Blasters, because I’m a White Zombie fan. (They’re called “theme events” as opposed to “theme months” because I only get a post out every two weeks.) I’ll be covering The Horror at 37,000 Feet, Earthquake, The Towering Inferno, and today’s film, The Poseidon Adventure (1972, Ronald Neame).
The first thirty minutes of The Poseidon Adventure is a real shitshow, if only in the screenplay department. Neame’s camera and blocking are rooted in the classic forms of ’50s and ’60s Hollywood, with nary a trace of the then-developing New Hollywood style. It may not look modern, but Neame and the cast make sure it’s a smooth watch.
Then the tsunami hits, turning not just the ship and people upside down, but our relationship with the narrative as well. All those weaknesses from the first act are there, and let’s not kid ourselves, they’re still weaknesses. But something interesting happens. Now these characters must do more than gab about who they are, what they want, whether they’re rebellious or a renegade and what the difference is. Now they have to act if they want to survive. But how to act when there is nothing but uncertainty in every direction? A door could lead to escape or a watery grave, and there’s no way to tell.
Following that, I’ve “tabled” (ar ar) the usual movie-derived ttrpg material for a discussion about using the disaster movie genre in role-playing games, followed by some spitballed ideas towards a disaster movie-themed ttrpg. If someone reads this and wants to make it themselves, be my guest!
LINC’S LINKS
Speaking of which, here’s Exeunt Press’ Make Your Own One-Page Roleplaying Game: A Guide from Skeleton Code Machine, a booklet that I assumes does what it says on the tin. Haven’t purchased it yet, but will because I might be able to make use of it in regards to today’s post, and for future reasons. $5, cheap!
You should subscribe to The Reveal, because then you can read Let's Watch the 1975 Academy Awards!, Keith Phipps’ blow by blow account of the night. (The awards took place in 1975, but this is for 1974 movies, including future AT70s entries Earthquake and The Towering Inferno.)
Mike Shea, on his Sly Flourish blog, says GMs should Offer Choices in Every Scene and I agree. This dovetails with today’s post, where I write, “Choice is the bedrock foundation of traditional ttrpgs.” But choice, in the context of a disaster-movie themed ttrpg, is a tricky thing.
Here’s are some Poseidon Adventure memories from Carol Lynley, Red Buttons and director Ronald Neame collected Judy Sloane at Front Row Features. Interesting stuff here, like apparently Reverend Scott getting stuck underwater was Hackman’s idea.
NEXT TIME, ON AGAINST THE ‘70S:
