Flood!

Plot

A large freshwater lake above the small town of Brownsville, Oregon is a popular tourist attraction and fishing destination, which provides the town with much of its economic activity. After a season of heavy rains, the lake is nearly overflowing. The mayor of the town refuses to open the flood gates to relieve pressure on the dam, for fear of impacting the sportsfishing industry, and the town's economy from the tourist trade.

When the dam starts sprouting small leaks due to the pressure, town board member, Paul Burke enlists the help of Sam Adams to determine the safety of the dam. When the dam starts showing signs of imminent collapse, and the floodgates are jammed and unable to be opened to lower the level of the lake, Burke enlists friend (and helicopter pilot) Steve Brannigan to free the stuck gates using a helicopter before the dam bursts, and floods the town below.

Cast

• Robert Culp as Steve Brannigan
• Martin Milner as Paul Burke
• Barbara Hershey as Mary Cutler
• Richard Basehart as John Cutler
• Carol Lynley as Abbie Adams
• Roddy McDowall as Mr. Franklin
• Cameron Mitchell as Sam Adams
• Eric Olson as Andy Cutler
• Teresa Wright as Alice Cutler
• Francine York as Daisy Kempel
• Whit Bissell as Dr. Ted Horne
• Leif Garrett as Johnny Lowman
• Ann Doran as Emma Fisher
• Elizabeth Rogers as Nancy Lowman
• James Griffith as Charlie Davis
• Edna Helton as Mrs. Wilson
• Gloria Stuart as Mrs. Parker
• Jack Collins as Jack Spangler

Production

Irwin Allen had huge success with two disaster films. In 1975, he announced he would make three TV movies for ABC, The Forgotten World, Flood and Time Traveller.Metropolitan Daly, Maggie. Chicago Tribune 7 May 1975: a12. The film ended up on NBC'My Baby' Has Its Moments Los Angeles Times 19 Nov 1976: d36.

In August 1976, Robert Culp and Martin Milner signed to star.INSIDE TV: A Double Date for Diana Ross Los Angeles Times 20 Aug 1976: g26. Filming started that month at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene, Oregon.People: Name-calling as a pastime for the party Jarvis, Jeff. Chicago Tribune 24 Aug 1976: 1. Filming continued in Brownsville, Oregon and at the Fall Creek Lake dam, the featured dam in the film. The Brownsville Christian Church was used as the hospital, while the Brownsville Fire Station/City Hall was used as City Hall, but only for exterior shots, as was Main Street. The nearby Crawfordsville Covered Bridge was used also. Brownsville is also the same town that was used to film many scenes for Stand by Me in 1985.

Reception

The Los Angeles Times said it "fails to offer much excitement".'Flood!' a Small Scale Disaster Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 24 Nov 1976: e16.

References

References

1. (2005). "Movies Made for Television, 1964-2004: 1964-1979". Scarecrow Press.
2. FLOOD! film credits.