The disaster movie was a staple of the 1970s. Hotels, airplanes, cruise ships, anywhere well-heeled people gathered in large groups was a setting for fire, flood or the dreaded disease of the week. Killer on Board is one of those formulaic disaster movies with fairly standard, stock characters. What elevates it is the cast. Pros all, they know what to do and do it well.
Patty Duke is an Oscar winning actress. She plays a widow with a young son, travelling with her sister (Susan Howard), a wayward young woman with a taste for married men (George Hamilton).
Frank Converse and Claude Akins, recent co-stars in the NBC series Movin' On, reunite with Frank playing the reluctantly heroic doctor and Claude the equally reluctant ship's captain who comes around to help save the day.
Beatrice Straight plays a woman living her last days to the fullest, pursued by smarmy Len Birman as a cruise ship entertainer on the make.
Bonnie Bartlett and real-life husband Willilam Daniels play a couple whose marriage is in trouble. And the beautiful and talented Jane Seymour plays the object of both Mr. Birman and Mr. Converse's attention, as a tour guide trapped on the floating deathtrap.
With chaos ensuing, a scientific team is brought on board to figure out what they are dealing with and develop an antidote. The stowaways who brought the virus on board remain hidden.
There is only one thing to do. Pop some popcorn. Get yourself a soft drink and settle back for an old school disaster movie. It may not win an Emmy, but these pros know how to make it fun.
