DISASTER ON THE COASTLINER begins with a computer (aka: a series of refrigerator-sized cabinets) being rewired by a mysterious mastermind.
Oh no!
The maniac has reprogrammed the very computer that runs the speeding train of the title! Being that this is a made-for-TV disaster film from the 1970's, it takes quite a while to get to the actual disaster part.
Meanwhile, an overly zealous secret service man (Lloyd Bridges) spars with a railroad executive (E. G. Marshall) in the command center.
Simultaneously, a naive woman (Yvette Mimieux) hops aboard the loco locomotive, along with a deceptive "master of disguise" (William Shatner). Shatner's shady character is trying to avoid the authorities.
Endless exposition ensues.
Shatner fans will be in heaven! He gets tons of screen time, and is in full James T. Kirk mode culminating in a nerve-jangling, heroic moment of derring-do!
For his part, Bridges' character reacts to the building tension in a way that guaranteed his future role in AIRPLANE!. He yells! He snarls! He explodes! He barks orders at subordinates! He's a wondrous spectacle to behold! Compared to Bridges, Shatner seems sedate, almost cadaver-like!
Co-stars a very Perry Mason / Ironside Raymond Burr as the railroad chairman...
Oh no!
The maniac has reprogrammed the very computer that runs the speeding train of the title! Being that this is a made-for-TV disaster film from the 1970's, it takes quite a while to get to the actual disaster part.
Meanwhile, an overly zealous secret service man (Lloyd Bridges) spars with a railroad executive (E. G. Marshall) in the command center.
Simultaneously, a naive woman (Yvette Mimieux) hops aboard the loco locomotive, along with a deceptive "master of disguise" (William Shatner). Shatner's shady character is trying to avoid the authorities.
Endless exposition ensues.
Shatner fans will be in heaven! He gets tons of screen time, and is in full James T. Kirk mode culminating in a nerve-jangling, heroic moment of derring-do!
For his part, Bridges' character reacts to the building tension in a way that guaranteed his future role in AIRPLANE!. He yells! He snarls! He explodes! He barks orders at subordinates! He's a wondrous spectacle to behold! Compared to Bridges, Shatner seems sedate, almost cadaver-like!
Co-stars a very Perry Mason / Ironside Raymond Burr as the railroad chairman...