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|gross = $87,000 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56202|title=AFI&#124;Catalog}}</ref>
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'''''Avalanche ''''' is a 1978 American [[disaster film]] directed by [[Corey Allen]] and starring [[Rock Hudson]], [[Mia Farrow]], [[Robert Forster]] and [[Jeanette Nolan]].
'''''Avalanche''''' is a 1978 [[disaster film]] directed by [[Corey Allen]], featuring [[Rock Hudson]], [[Mia Farrow]], [[Robert Forster]], and [[Jeanette Nolan]].

The plot revolves around David Shelby, who owns a [[ski resort]] in an [[avalanche]]-prone area. As the resort opens with a grand event, tensions arise between David and his ex-wife, Caroline, who is drawn to an environmental photographer named Nick. A tragic avalanche occurs during the festivities, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The film explores the rescue efforts and aftermath, depicting the impact on the characters' lives.

''Avalanche'' was one of the most expensive films made by [[New World Pictures]], and despite featuring notable stars, it was not a box office success.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
David Shelby is the wealthy owner of a new ski resort nestled below a snow-covered mountain. He invites his ex-wife, Caroline Brace, to come to the resort for the grand opening, which also kicks off a ski tournament and a figure skating competition. Among the many guests is David's feisty mother, Florence, Bruce Scott, a world-famous ski champion, and two rival figure skaters.
David Shelby, a prosperous owner of a newly established ski resort nestled beneath a snow-laden mountain, extends an invitation to his ex-wife, Caroline Brace, for the grand opening. This event marks the commencement of both a ski tournament and a figure skating competition.


Among the diverse array of guests are David's spirited mother, Florence; Bruce Scott, a globally renowned ski champion; and two rival figure skaters. Caroline, a magazine reporter, ended her marriage with David due to his controlling nature. Despite the divorce, David invites her to the resort with the hope of rekindling their relationship. His aspiration is to be the "King of the Mountain," and he boldly chose to open the resort in an area deemed uninhabitable due to frequent avalanches.
Caroline, a magazine reporter, divorced David as he is a control freak, but David invited her to the resort in an attempt to rekindle their marriage. David has to be "King of the Mountain" and opened the resort in what was considered uninhabitable country due to the heavy avalanches. McDade, the timid bookkeeper, explains to Florence that David had to negotiate with land developers and put his own money into building the resort. While taking her on a tour of the grounds, McDade runs into Nick Thorne, an environmental photographer who claims the resort is environmentally unsafe due to the heavy snowfall scheduled to arrive, but his protests are ignored. Caroline finds herself becoming attracted to Nick, which only infuriates David and brings out his controlling side.


McDade, a timid bookkeeper, discloses to Florence the challenges David faced, negotiating with land developers and investing his own funds in constructing the resort. While guiding her through the grounds, McDade encounters Nick Thorne, an environmental photographer, who asserts that the resort is environmentally unsafe because of the impending heavy snowfall. However, Nick's warnings are disregarded.
Due to considerable red tape involved in the resort's construction, David urges one of his business partners to fly in to settle matters despite the snow. He hosts a large party in the resort the night of the opening, where everyone dances and drinks the night away. After confronting David over his controlling nature, Caroline runs into Nick, and they go off together to Nick's cabin. The snowfall increases as the night goes on, adding more weight to the mountain. The next morning sees the start of the ski and figure skating events, and Nick leaves Caroline in the cabin to shoot some of the fresh snow off of the mountain with a snow gun to avoid an avalanche.


Caroline finds herself drawn to Nick, provoking David's ire and revealing his controlling tendencies. Due to bureaucratic hurdles in the resort's construction, David urges a business partner to fly in and resolve matters despite the snow. A lavish party is hosted on the opening night, with dancing and revelry. Following a confrontation about David's controlling behavior, Caroline meets Nick, and they retreat to Nick's cabin.
Unfortunately, the plane carrying David's business partner crashes into the mountain due to low visibility, starting an avalanche. Tons of snow roll down the mountain, destroying the ski ramp, the skating rink, and the resort, resulting in an immense loss of life. David gets trapped at the skating rink but manages to dig himself out. He makes it to the resort, where McDade and Florence are trapped under a staircase in the dining room. A gas leak in the kitchen causes an explosion, injuring more people and taking out the phone lines. The nearest town's fire department comes to the rescue, bringing a camera crew to document the destruction. Bruce manages to ski away from the impending avalanche, but is buried alive. The ski ramp is destroyed, and everyone is buried except for a boy named Jason and Mark Elliott, a television host. The two are stuck in a partly collapsed ski ramp chair, dangling in the air.


As the night progresses, the snowfall intensifies, adding more weight to the mountain. The next morning, the ski and figure skating events commence, and Nick leaves Caroline in the cabin to mitigate the risk of an avalanche using a snow gun. Tragically, the plane carrying David's business partner crashes into the mountain in low visibility, triggering an avalanche. Massive amounts of snow cascade down, obliterating the ski ramp, skating rink, and the resort, causing significant loss of life.
Caroline sees the avalanche from the cabin and heads to the resort, meeting up with David. After dynamiting and digging through the snow, they come across McDade and Florence, who is near death due to hypothermia. Caroline resuscitates her through mouth-to-mouth and accompanies her on the ride to the hospital. Bruce, still alive, is found by a team of search and rescue people and is carried off in critical condition. David and a group from the fire department go to the ski ramp to rescue Jason and Mark, telling them to fall into the safety trampoline. Jason goes first and is safe, but the metal rope drags across the pulley and causes an electrical shock, electrocuting Mark.


David becomes trapped at the skating rink but manages to free himself. Upon reaching the resort, he discovers McDade and Florence trapped under a staircase in the dining room. A gas leak results in an explosion, causing further injuries and cutting off communication. The town's fire department arrives for rescue, accompanied by a camera crew documenting the destruction.
Another ambulance arrives as David and Nick load body bags into a truck. The driver tells David the bridge leading to the hospital is still unsafe due to the snow. Realizing that Caroline and Florence are heading that way, Nick and David drive off to intercept them. The ambulance carrying the women skids over a patch of ice and careens off the road, throwing Caroline out. The vehicle crashes into a gorge under the bridge, killing the driver and Florence. David and Nick make it to the scene minutes later to find Caroline clinging to the bridge's collapsed railing hanging over the ledge. The men work together to pull Caroline up, David tying a rope around her and Nick pulling her to safety. The three then look on as the ambulance continues to burn under them.


Bruce narrowly escapes the avalanche but is buried alive. The ski ramp collapses, burying everyone except a boy named Jason and Mark Elliott, a television host, dangling from a partly collapsed ski ramp chair. Caroline witnesses the avalanche from the cabin and rushes to the resort, meeting David. After using dynamite and digging through the snow, they rescue McDade and Florence, the latter on the brink of death due to hypothermia. Caroline revives her with mouth-to-mouth and accompanies her to the hospital.
Caroline arrives at the destroyed resort to say goodbye to David before leaving. She runs into Nick, who is also leaving; he says it will take years to reclaim everything buried in the snow. Nick tells her he likes her just like she is, and they part on good terms. Caroline goes inside the resort and has a final word with David, who admits that the entire incident is his fault, surprising Caroline. She tells him that she loves him and then departs, leaving David alone with the destruction of his accomplishments.

Bruce, still alive, is found by a search and rescue team in critical condition. David, along with the fire department, goes to the ski ramp to save Jason and Mark. Despite instructions to fall onto a safety trampoline, an electrical shock occurs, electrocuting Mark. As another ambulance arrives, David and Nick load body bags into a truck. The bridge to the hospital is deemed unsafe due to snow, prompting Nick and David to intercept Caroline and Florence.

However, the ambulance skids on ice, crashing into a gorge under the bridge, resulting in the death of the driver and Florence. Arriving moments later, David and Nick rescue Caroline from the edge of the collapsed bridge. Caroline bids farewell to David at the ruined resort. Encountering Nick, they part on good terms, with Nick expressing his appreciation for her as she is.

Caroline shares a final moment with David, who confesses the incident is his fault. Expressing her love, she departs, leaving David to confront the aftermath of his shattered achievements.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 51: Line 61:


== Production ==
== Production ==
Roger Corman decided to make the film after enjoying success with another disaster movie, ''Tidal Wave'' where he added new footage to a Japanese film. ''Avalanche'' was originally budgeted at $2 millino and [[Gavin Lambert]], who wrote ''I Never Promised You a Rose Garden'' for Corman, was hired to do the script.<ref>Koetting p 108</ref>
The film was originally budgeted at $6.5 million, but producer Roger Corman cut that amount before production began.<ref name="times">{{cite news|title=THE YOUNG DIRECTORS: WHO IS USING WHOM?|author=Goldstone, Patricia|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Dec 17, 1978|page=o6}}</ref> It was directed by Corey Allen, who had previously made the film ''[[Thunder and Lightning (1977 film)|Thunder and Lightning]]'' for Corman. Allen himself rewrote Gavin Lambert's script extensively and received a script credit. (Lambert later claimed Allen "dewrote" the script.<ref name="times" />)


The project spent several years in development. It was eventually directed by Corey Allen, who had previously made the film ''[[Thunder and Lightning (1977 film)|Thunder and Lightning]]'' for Corman. Allen himself rewrote Gavin Lambert's script extensively and received a script credit. (Lambert later claimed Allen "dewrote" the script.<ref name="times" />)
However, Allen was unhappy with the budget cuts and stated that "I don't feel the aims of the film were fulfilled . . . there were heavy pressures on Paul [Rapp, the line producer,] to bring the film in ahead of schedule, and these I feel were detrimental to the film."<ref name="times" />

The budget increased to $4 million and was announced at $6.5 million, but Roger Corman cut that amount before production began.<ref name="times">{{cite news|title=THE YOUNG DIRECTORS: WHO IS USING WHOM?|author=Goldstone, Patricia|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Dec 17, 1978|page=o6}}</ref> Allen was unhappy with the budget cuts and stated that "I don't feel the aims of the film were fulfilled . . . there were heavy pressures on Paul [Rapp, the line producer,] to bring the film in ahead of schedule, and these I feel were detrimental to the film."<ref name="times" />


The film was shot at the [[Purgatory Resort]] north of [[Durango, Colorado]] over an eight-week period. The ski scenes were at Purgatory Ski Resort. The avalanche scenes, in which the people are indoors, were filmed at The Lodge at Tamarron, south of Purgatory. At least one scene was filmed in Durango with the Gaslight Movie Theater in the background, at which one of the premier showings of the film was held.
The film was shot at the [[Purgatory Resort]] north of [[Durango, Colorado]] over an eight-week period. The ski scenes were at Purgatory Ski Resort. The avalanche scenes, in which the people are indoors, were filmed at The Lodge at Tamarron, south of Purgatory. At least one scene was filmed in Durango with the Gaslight Movie Theater in the background, at which one of the premier showings of the film was held.

[[Lewis Teague]] was second unit director.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
Line 61: Line 75:


The film came out at the same time as New World's ''[[Piranha (1978 film)|Piranha]]''. Corman says that New World thought ''Avalanche'' would be more of a success because "it was more mainstream" and had bigger stars; however, ''Piranha'' was the bigger hit. In hindsight, Corman says this was because ''Piranha'' was "funny and very well directed".<ref>{{cite news|author=Leedham, R.|date=Oct 3, 1991|title=Low, low, quick, quick, low|work=The Guardian|id={{ProQuest|187184267}}}}</ref>
The film came out at the same time as New World's ''[[Piranha (1978 film)|Piranha]]''. Corman says that New World thought ''Avalanche'' would be more of a success because "it was more mainstream" and had bigger stars; however, ''Piranha'' was the bigger hit. In hindsight, Corman says this was because ''Piranha'' was "funny and very well directed".<ref>{{cite news|author=Leedham, R.|date=Oct 3, 1991|title=Low, low, quick, quick, low|work=The Guardian|id={{ProQuest|187184267}}}}</ref>

Audiences actually laughed at some of the scenes in the film, especially where it was obvious that styrofoam was used for snow. Even at that time, the special effects could have been produced much more skillfully than they were in this film.


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
[[John J. B. Wilson|John Wilson]], founder of the [[Golden Raspberry Awards]], included ''Avalanche'' among the 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made in ''[[The Official Razzie Movie Guide]]''.<ref>{{cite book|authorlink=John J. B. Wilson|last=Wilson|first=John|title=The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst |year=2005|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|isbn=0-446-69334-0}}</ref> The film was riffed in [[List of Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes#Season 11 (2017)|the 2017 revival]] of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/24/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-the-return-review Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return Review - IGN]</ref>
[[John J. B. Wilson|John Wilson]], founder of the [[Golden Raspberry Awards]], included ''Avalanche'' among the 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made in ''[[The Official Razzie Movie Guide]]''.<ref>{{cite book|authorlink=John J. B. Wilson|last=Wilson|first=John|title=The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst |year=2005|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|isbn=0-446-69334-0}}</ref> The film was riffed in [[List of Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes#Season 11 (2017)|the 2017 revival]] of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/24/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-the-return-review Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return Review - IGN]</ref> [[Neil Patrick Harris]] guest-starred as Kinga's online boyfriend and magician.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 19:12, 18 July 2024

Avalanche
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCorey Allen
Written byCorey Allen
Claude Pola
Story byFrances Doel
Produced byRoger Corman
StarringRock Hudson
Mia Farrow
Robert Forster
Jeanette Nolan
Rick Moses
CinematographyPierre-William Glenn
Edited byLarry Bock
Skip Schoolnik
Music byWilliam Kraft
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • August 30, 1978 (1978-08-30) (United States)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6.5 million[1]
Box office$87,000 [2]

Avalanche is a 1978 disaster film directed by Corey Allen, featuring Rock Hudson, Mia Farrow, Robert Forster, and Jeanette Nolan.

The plot revolves around David Shelby, who owns a ski resort in an avalanche-prone area. As the resort opens with a grand event, tensions arise between David and his ex-wife, Caroline, who is drawn to an environmental photographer named Nick. A tragic avalanche occurs during the festivities, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The film explores the rescue efforts and aftermath, depicting the impact on the characters' lives.

Avalanche was one of the most expensive films made by New World Pictures, and despite featuring notable stars, it was not a box office success.

Plot

David Shelby, a prosperous owner of a newly established ski resort nestled beneath a snow-laden mountain, extends an invitation to his ex-wife, Caroline Brace, for the grand opening. This event marks the commencement of both a ski tournament and a figure skating competition.

Among the diverse array of guests are David's spirited mother, Florence; Bruce Scott, a globally renowned ski champion; and two rival figure skaters. Caroline, a magazine reporter, ended her marriage with David due to his controlling nature. Despite the divorce, David invites her to the resort with the hope of rekindling their relationship. His aspiration is to be the "King of the Mountain," and he boldly chose to open the resort in an area deemed uninhabitable due to frequent avalanches.

McDade, a timid bookkeeper, discloses to Florence the challenges David faced, negotiating with land developers and investing his own funds in constructing the resort. While guiding her through the grounds, McDade encounters Nick Thorne, an environmental photographer, who asserts that the resort is environmentally unsafe because of the impending heavy snowfall. However, Nick's warnings are disregarded.

Caroline finds herself drawn to Nick, provoking David's ire and revealing his controlling tendencies. Due to bureaucratic hurdles in the resort's construction, David urges a business partner to fly in and resolve matters despite the snow. A lavish party is hosted on the opening night, with dancing and revelry. Following a confrontation about David's controlling behavior, Caroline meets Nick, and they retreat to Nick's cabin.

As the night progresses, the snowfall intensifies, adding more weight to the mountain. The next morning, the ski and figure skating events commence, and Nick leaves Caroline in the cabin to mitigate the risk of an avalanche using a snow gun. Tragically, the plane carrying David's business partner crashes into the mountain in low visibility, triggering an avalanche. Massive amounts of snow cascade down, obliterating the ski ramp, skating rink, and the resort, causing significant loss of life.

David becomes trapped at the skating rink but manages to free himself. Upon reaching the resort, he discovers McDade and Florence trapped under a staircase in the dining room. A gas leak results in an explosion, causing further injuries and cutting off communication. The town's fire department arrives for rescue, accompanied by a camera crew documenting the destruction.

Bruce narrowly escapes the avalanche but is buried alive. The ski ramp collapses, burying everyone except a boy named Jason and Mark Elliott, a television host, dangling from a partly collapsed ski ramp chair. Caroline witnesses the avalanche from the cabin and rushes to the resort, meeting David. After using dynamite and digging through the snow, they rescue McDade and Florence, the latter on the brink of death due to hypothermia. Caroline revives her with mouth-to-mouth and accompanies her to the hospital.

Bruce, still alive, is found by a search and rescue team in critical condition. David, along with the fire department, goes to the ski ramp to save Jason and Mark. Despite instructions to fall onto a safety trampoline, an electrical shock occurs, electrocuting Mark. As another ambulance arrives, David and Nick load body bags into a truck. The bridge to the hospital is deemed unsafe due to snow, prompting Nick and David to intercept Caroline and Florence.

However, the ambulance skids on ice, crashing into a gorge under the bridge, resulting in the death of the driver and Florence. Arriving moments later, David and Nick rescue Caroline from the edge of the collapsed bridge. Caroline bids farewell to David at the ruined resort. Encountering Nick, they part on good terms, with Nick expressing his appreciation for her as she is.

Caroline shares a final moment with David, who confesses the incident is his fault. Expressing her love, she departs, leaving David to confront the aftermath of his shattered achievements.

Cast

Production

Roger Corman decided to make the film after enjoying success with another disaster movie, Tidal Wave where he added new footage to a Japanese film. Avalanche was originally budgeted at $2 millino and Gavin Lambert, who wrote I Never Promised You a Rose Garden for Corman, was hired to do the script.[3]

The project spent several years in development. It was eventually directed by Corey Allen, who had previously made the film Thunder and Lightning for Corman. Allen himself rewrote Gavin Lambert's script extensively and received a script credit. (Lambert later claimed Allen "dewrote" the script.[4])

The budget increased to $4 million and was announced at $6.5 million, but Roger Corman cut that amount before production began.[4] Allen was unhappy with the budget cuts and stated that "I don't feel the aims of the film were fulfilled . . . there were heavy pressures on Paul [Rapp, the line producer,] to bring the film in ahead of schedule, and these I feel were detrimental to the film."[4]

The film was shot at the Purgatory Resort north of Durango, Colorado over an eight-week period. The ski scenes were at Purgatory Ski Resort. The avalanche scenes, in which the people are indoors, were filmed at The Lodge at Tamarron, south of Purgatory. At least one scene was filmed in Durango with the Gaslight Movie Theater in the background, at which one of the premier showings of the film was held.

Lewis Teague was second unit director.

Reception

Avalanche was one of the most expensive films ever made by New World Pictures and was not a success at the box office.[1]

The film came out at the same time as New World's Piranha. Corman says that New World thought Avalanche would be more of a success because "it was more mainstream" and had bigger stars; however, Piranha was the bigger hit. In hindsight, Corman says this was because Piranha was "funny and very well directed".[5]

Legacy

John Wilson, founder of the Golden Raspberry Awards, included Avalanche among the 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made in The Official Razzie Movie Guide.[6] The film was riffed in the 2017 revival of Mystery Science Theater 3000.[7] Neil Patrick Harris guest-starred as Kinga's online boyfriend and magician.

References

  1. ^ a b Christopher T Koetting, Mind Warp!: The Fantastic True Story of Roger Corman's New World Pictures, Hemlock Books. 2009 p 143
  2. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  3. ^ Koetting p 108
  4. ^ a b c Goldstone, Patricia (Dec 17, 1978). "THE YOUNG DIRECTORS: WHO IS USING WHOM?". Los Angeles Times. p. o6.
  5. ^ Leedham, R. (Oct 3, 1991). "Low, low, quick, quick, low". The Guardian. ProQuest 187184267.
  6. ^ Wilson, John (2005). The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 0-446-69334-0.
  7. ^ Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return Review - IGN