Review of Ski Lift to Death

A motley assortment of folks find themselves in considerable jeopardy when the ski lift gondola they are in jumps the track and leaves them hanging way up in the chilly winter air. Director William Wiard, working from a colorful and eventful script by J.G. Hawks and Laurence Health, maintains a steady pace throughout and develops a reasonable amount of tension. The solid acting from a bang-up cast qualifies as a major plus: Deborah Raffin as a sweet budding ski champion, Charles Frank as Raffin's loving boyfriend, Don Johnson as a cocky cowboy ace hot dog skier, Clu Gulager as a nice guy manager, Howard Duff as a mob informant, Gail Strickland as Duff's concerned mistress, Veronica Hamel as a perky newscaster, and Lisa ("The Pom Pom Girls") Reeves as a foxy underage bar maid. The ski lift accident sequence and subsequent rescue operation are genuinely exciting and harrowing. The copious ski footage and gorgeous snow-covered mountainous landscapes are both truly breathtaking. A rowdy disco dance t-shirt contest rates as another definite highlight. Roland "Ozzie" Smith's pretty, picturesque cinematography really hits the spot. Only Barry De Vorzon's often sappy'n'syrupy score misses the mark. That minor criticism aside, this vintage 70's made-for-TV disaster item sizes up as a whole lot of fun.