# The Poseidon Adventure (1972) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451 "2018-09-16T18:31:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/41 "2018-09-18T00:19:44Z")
When Shelly Winters jumped in for her underwater scenes, that was Shelly Winters, no stunt double. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/42 "2018-09-18T00:25:40Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > When Shelly Winters jumped in for her underwater scenes, that was Shelly Winters, no stunt double. Here you go. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AwCPhHR57ho/hqdefault.jpg "THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE - The Cast Looks Back") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwCPhHR57ho) ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/43 "2018-09-18T01:02:54Z")
Hmmm. 42 posts and now this is the first to mention Stella Stevens? Hum baby. Yes, the movie is cornball, but it does move (like the passengers frenetically dancing to a ballad) and it’s easy on the eyes. The commentary track with Pamela Sue, Stella, and Carol is also lots of fun. For example… > [@](#): > > Carol and crew: “I couldn’t do this movie today. I swear, there are so many claustrophibic memories as I watch it. Climbing through things, then the water…”. “Ah, if they gave you enough money…”. “…It’d be hard! I was much more adventurous back then!” “Maybe with Al Pacino you’d reconsider. You never know.” > > Stella: “Underneath that pink shirt, I’m not supposed to have anything on at all. But it was so clammy cold, it would hit my nipples and they would get really hard. So, I had to wear a Rudi Gernreich No Bra bra…There is Ernie, holding on to me, showing my bra strap…It is the biggest flaw in the movie to me, and I’m just embarrassed.” > > Pamela Sue: “I don’t know, but they sure managed to get a couple of butt shots of everyone stepping in there! Stella’s panties, my hot pants. There they are. Shots that you just love to have taken of you.” > > Carol: “Wooh! Right up my kazoo there!” ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/44 "2018-09-18T01:24:09Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > When Shelly Winters jumped in for her underwater scenes, that was Shelly Winters, no stunt double. I think the movie is worth watching, just for Shelly’s role. I just loved her in this. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/45 "2018-09-18T02:13:38Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I’m not even sure you could torch a hole in the hull. The internal air pressure might just blow the hot metal right back.:eek: > > But yea, as soon as you cut that hole, the ship is going down fast. Too fast for a sequel. The shaft room that they were eventually rescued from had a pretty stout door that had to be cranked open; presumably it’s air and water tight. I don’t remember if they closed it again once they were inside. If they did, that would limit the air that would escape through the hole. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/46 "2018-09-18T02:51:10Z")
Loved it. Still do. Loved the score too. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/47 "2018-09-18T08:28:37Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I’ve seen Leslie Nielsen in lots of dramas. At one time he was considered a serious actor. :smack: I don’t think some of you could miss the point any more than you have. Because of his later work in comedies it makes viewing his earlier dramatic work funny even when it isn’t. Put together with the poor acting by a bunch of has-beens (minus Hackman, his acting wasn’t top notch in the film but he has never been a has been) and watching this flick is a ball! ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/48 "2018-09-18T11:51:14Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Last night some channel was playing [The Poseidon Adventure (1972)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069113/). > > . . . > > It’s a real hoot. Between the really bad acting and knowing what the actors did in other flicks. It’s impossible to take this movie seriously. Watch it and enjoy! I think the movie was actually great. This is what happens when you pluck a 40 year old movie out of the bin and try to watch it with today’s lens. - It has a 79% on the tomato meter. The critics of the day liked it. At the time The Poseidon Adventure was a huge it. - It was one of the first disaster films. No CGI. Just good old fashioned camera work. I remember my parents going to the movie on their own just because the heard that the scene where Poseidon capsizes was so amazing. And it was at the time. - The acting seemed appropriate to the type of film that it was. - It wasn’t meant to be Gone with the Wind. It was meant to be entertainment, and it was great at that. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/49 "2018-09-18T12:04:37Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Surely you’ve seen some of his excellent dramatic acting, such as _Forbidden Planet_? I have, and stop calling me Shirley. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s a different kind of acting, altogether. It’s a different kind of acting. > [@pkbites](#): > > :smack: > > I don’t think some of you could miss the point any more than you have. Says you! No time to argue. I’m off to play the kazoo! ---
**Author:** ![SpaceSissy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@SpaceSissy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceSissy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/50 "2018-09-18T12:31:43Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I remember hearing that Ebert proposed a sequel in which, as soon as the passengers reach the top of the (inverted) ship, it rolls over again and they have to go back through everything again. 🙂 Thats hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/51 "2018-09-18T14:26:58Z")
> [@SpaceSissy](#): > > Thats hilarious! I don’t know when Ebert made that quip, but that’s the ending of the Mad magazine version: The kid tells Rogo (Borgnine) that he forgot to mention that the boat rights itself 2 hours after it capsizes. The last panel is the boat righting itself and a dialogue balloon saying **Come back here, you little bastard. If I catch you, I’ll kill you, so help me God!** ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/52 "2018-09-18T15:31:29Z")
If you’re interested: MAD’s [The Poopsidedown Adventure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEs8TclS5CE). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/53 "2018-09-18T15:37:41Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > To be fair, while “The Morning After” was quite popular that year (I remember listening to it at the pool on top hits radio), the song from _Blazing Saddles_ was [not so popular.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGcfHvUTfac) ☹ > > Full disclosure: I love Maureen McGovern. Maureen McGovern was the singing, guitar playing nun in [Airplane!](https://cdn.lolwot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-airplane-4.jpg)which makes up for her entire musical catalog. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/54 "2018-09-18T15:43:24Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Maureen McGovern was the singing, guitar playing nun in [Airplane!](https://cdn.lolwot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-airplane-4.jpg)which makes up for her entire musical catalog. Holy smokes; I did not know that! That just adds another level of perfection to Airplane! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/55 "2018-09-18T16:32:03Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > :smack: > > I don’t think some of you could miss the point any more than you have. > > Because of his later work in comedies it makes viewing his earlier dramatic work funny even when it isn’t. Put together with the poor acting by a bunch of has-beens (minus Hackman, his acting wasn’t top notch in the film but he has never been a has been) and watching this flick is a ball! You know, large numbers of people disagree with you. Which is fine; movie tastes vary. I have not watched the whole movie, and have no desire to. But then the disaster flicks weren’t high on my list even back in the 70s when they came out. But you may have to concede that the movie isn’t by any means inherently bad. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/56 "2018-09-18T20:22:42Z")
This is really one of my favorite movies. I love it stem to stern. I seem to recall we have a pretty good thread on here about the made for tv movie remake they did staring Steve Gutenberg. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/57 "2018-09-19T00:20:27Z")
Back then I loved the disaster movies, especially TPA. When I saw Earthquake it was at a theater in Monterey, Calfornia. Before the first showing the theater tested those big Sensurround speakers. Shops on either side of the theater, and above it(built on a slope) emptied out when those suckers cranked up, especially the bar next door. A girl down the hall in my barracks, from Alaska, went through the 1964 Good Friday quake. She said the sound was much like the noises she remembered, except that it went on evenly, not starting and stopping. I stood in a long line to see it, with my fiancee and another guy, our friend. After we left the movie “Roy” asked us “Did you see Clint Eastwood? He was standing about six people behind us in line1” I would have loved to have had just a glimpse of the guy in the flesh. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/58 "2018-09-21T15:29:39Z")
I didn’t see \*TPA \*in the theater, but in TV re-runs. Pretty hokey. The 2006 Wolfgang Petersen remake was better, but still, nobody’s gonna confuse it with _Casablanca_. > [@pool](#): > > …Did you ever hear [Borgnine’s] secret for longevity? > > [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3I\_PeLNzxNQ](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_PeLNzxNQ) And then the interviewer shakes his hand! > [@suranyi](#): > > I’ve seen Leslie Nielsen in lots of dramas. At one time he was considered a serious actor. Which dramas? You can tell me - I’m a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/59 "2018-09-21T17:15:51Z")
Here’s a thread I started four years ago on TPA, filled with deathless information (not). > **["The Poseidon Adventure": A few questions:](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725226)** > > A couple of nuts-and-bolts questions and a WTH?: Would you really set a helicopter down on the capsized hull? When the survivors are in “shaft alley” and have alerted the rescuers and said rescuers have started the cutting torch, would there be a... I am mildly obsessed with this film. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451/60 "2018-09-21T20:56:25Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > If you’re interested: MAD’s [The Poopsidedown Adventure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEs8TclS5CE). Thanks for finding that; it’s a scream! Haven’t seen it since I lost my copy 40 years ago! :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poseidon-adventure-1972/821451.md?page=4)