TOPG Ep 103: Towering Inferno w/ Nanoose Bay Fire Department
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head into the flames with The Towering Inferno (1974), the disaster epic that turned a skyscraper into the world’s worst workplace safety seminar. Joined by members of the Nanoose Bay Fire Department, we break down the movie’s towering cast, spectacular practical effects, and just how much of this fire chaos would make modern firefighters immediately quit. Does this classic disaster film still burn bright, or has it gone up in smoke?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden, David Purcell
Cast: Michael Peters, Trevor Holme, & Caitlin Holmes
Host: Olen Vanderleeden, David Purcell
Cast: Michael Peters, Trevor Holme, & Caitlin Holmes
Creators and Guests
Host
Mathew Stockton
Mathew Stockton is co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold and the voice behind the acclaimed true crime podcast Dark Poutine. Known for his dry wit, sharp cultural takes, and unapologetic disdain for both Tom Cruise and David Hasselhoff, Mathew brings a grounded, no-nonsense edge to the show. Check Mathew out on Dark Poutine and follow his dog Steve at Steve_couldnt_leave
Host
Olen Vanderleeden
A Gen X creative whose career spans cannabis, clean tech, and media, but his real passion is stuck in a time warp somewhere between a VHS rental and a training montage. As the creator, producer, and co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold, Olen channels his lifelong love of 80s cinema, especially the high-kicking, synth-scored, gloriously weird corners of it, into a podcast that celebrates, critiques, and reexamines the movies that shaped a generation.
Guest
David Purcell
David Purcell is a sharp, funny, and knowledgeable Gen Xer who had a rough start with Gung Ho, but hey, it wasn’t entirely his fault. He more than redeemed himself with his quick wit and golf expertise on Tin Cup. David often steps in for Mathew when the conversation turns to tough topics like sports or Tom Cruise movies.
Guest
Pieter Vanderleeden
At 93, Pieter is the tireless heart of Pieter’s Plot Corner, watching and studying every film we cover, then delivering a brilliant and succinct plot summary for listeners who may not have seen (or survived) the movie in question. He missed a lot of these films in the '80s, but he’s catching up now, and loving (almost) every minute. Equally dedicated to the good and the awful, Pieter is an essential part of the podcast family and a fan favorite in his own right.
