Grounded

Somehow, they carted The VIPs from the Grand Hotel out to the Airport to make one of those old-fashioned Hollywood movies they don't make any more.

The kaleidoscopic plot, adapted from Arthur Hailey's bestselling novel, is absurdly complex, and the cast of a dozen stars scurries about to service it. Burt Lancaster lumbers about as Mel Bakersfield, manager of an unnamed metropolitan airport who is faced with the usual night of danger, laughter, suspense and heartbreak. Burt's main problem of the moment is the jetliner stuck in the snow out there on No. 29 runway. As if that were not enough, another flight just has to land on that runway. Seems there is a mad bomber (Van Heflin) on board, who is threatening to blow up the plane to give his wife (Maureen Stapleton) all the insurance money. Such churlish behavior endangers the crew of what must be the world's largest flying soap opera, including Captain Dean Martin and his pregnant girlfriend, Stewardess Jacqueline Bisset; Co-Captain Barry Nelson, home-loving father of seven; and cute little old Helen Hayes, who keeps stowing away aboard all kinds of flights.

Meanwhile, back on the ground, gruff but lovable Troubleshooter George Kennedy is struggling to clear the runway of snow, while the airport's p.r. girl, Jean Seberg, casts concerned glances at stoic Manager Lancaster. Customs Officer Lloyd Nolan tries to keep the flow of contraband at a minimum, but the flow of cliches is not, unfortunately, his department. Produced by Ross Hunter, fearless champion of the industry's carriere-garde (Pillow Talk and Thoroughly Modern Millie), the movie spends over two hours proving what every seasoned traveler already knows: waiting around airports can be a drag.

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