Tower of Terror (1997 film)

Tower of Terror is a 1997 American supernatural horror television film written and directed by D. J. MacHale, and starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst. It is based on the theme-park attraction, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, and aired on ABC on October 26, 1997, as a presentation of The Wonderful World of Disney. It is Disney's first film based on one of its theme-park attractions, and the only one produced for television.

The film, which has no connection to any incarnation of The Twilight Zone,

Researching Buzzy's story, Jill discovers that Abigail is the sister of Sally Shine. Abigail was secretly jealous of her younger sister's talents and fame. Although Halloween was Abigail's birthday, no one seemed to have remembered. After finding out that Abigail caused the curse, she also discovers that Abigail has been in a sanitarium ever since, but is allowed out on day release.

Buzzy realizes that finding the personal effects of the guests (a lock of Sally's hair, Ms. Partridge's handkerchief, Dewey's spare bell-boy hat, Gilbert's Oxford spectacles, and Carolyn's locket) and repairing the elevator have given Abigail the means to complete the curse. He and Jill rush back to the hotel, but they are too late. Unaware that they are about to walk into a trap, Carolyn, Gilbert, Dewey, Emeline, and Sally enter the repaired elevator. Anna runs in, but only Sally makes it out of the elevator before the doors close and the car moves up the shaft. The group confronts Abigail, who then tearfully admits her actions before Sally appears.

The elevator continues to move up, but gets stuck on the 11th floor again, with only minutes left before the final phase of the curse takes effect. Sally explains that the party was a surprise birthday party for Abigail and apologizes to Abigail for not being able to get to it, but of course, Abigail did not know about it. Sally has kept the present she wanted to give to Abby - a golden friendship bracelet with two hearts engraved with their names - assuming she would forgive her. Buzzy then explains that Abigail was the one who started the curse all out of jealousy over Sally, which makes Sally surprised that Abigail is an old woman now and was the one responsible. Abigail is distraught at her mistake, but does not know how to stop the spell. Buzzy, Q, Jill, Abby, and Sally board the service elevator, catching up with the others on the 11th floor. Anna manages to leap from an emergency escape hatch, rejoining Buzzy and the others, but at exactly 8:05 pm, lightning strikes the hotel again, and both cars plummet towards the basement. Amid the chaos, Sally and Abby reconcile, breaking the curse. As they hold hands, they both dissolve into a shower of golden sparkles that safely stops both elevators just before they crash.

Buzzy and his group follow up behind as Carolyn, Gilbert, Dewey, Emeline, and Sally finally ascend to the party at the Tip-Top Club, restored to its former glory; Gilbert proposes to Carolyn after the latter performs for the party. One by one, the ghosts then ascend to Heaven, along with the other partygoers. Abigail, now a child again, appears with Sally, and thanks her for the present. The sisters then hold hands and vanish into golden sparkles, reversing the curse on the hotel. With the spell broken, the Hollywood Tower Hotel is restored and reopened to the public, with Q taking charge as the new owner.

Cast

Production

Writing

DJ MacHale was chosen to write the film, and he finished his draft March 20, 1997. The film was written without any attachment to The Twilight Zone brand. Executive producer George Zaloom said, "What we've done is to create a story line based on some action things that occur at the attraction." He went on to say, "We've taken the free-fall elevator, as well as the Hollywood milieu, and have come up with a whole scenario."

On March 22, 1997, when it was announced that ABC would be reviving The Wonderful World of Disney, it was revealed that Kirsten Dunst would be starring in a new film for their Sunday line up, entitled Tower of Terror.

Filming

According to Knight Ridder, filming began in May 1997.

When asked why the film would be shot in California, rather than at Disney-MGM Studios' production facilities, Disney spokesperson Craig Martinelli said, "...it's logistics more than anything else." But he did go on to say exterior shots would be filmed at the Orlando attraction in the summer of 1997.

Release

To promote the film, on October 16, 1997, Kirsten Dunst appeared on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

On Tuesday, October 21, Dunst appeared at Disney-MGM Studios to sign novelizations of Tower of Terror in front of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The following day, she participated in the handprint ceremony at the park, then hosted a Q&A at the Theater of the Stars.

Notes

References

External links

Tower of Terror Oral History