What was the point of him being in this movie? Aside from the connection to the original movie, he serves very little purpose to the plot. Also, he said that he is a "liason" between his company and Mr. Stevens'. Is that the same company that he worked for in Airport 1975?
shareWe are to assume it is the same company he worked for in Airport 1975. In the extended television version of Airport '77, there is a scene where Patroni indicates his company rebuilt Mr. Stevens' 747. This is, likely, the main reason for his involvement in the film's plot. There is one scene in the theatrical version, where he does contribute to the rescue operation. Halfway through the film, Patroni chooses not to join Mr. Stevens on the trip aboard USS Cayuga. He explains that he would be of more help staying at the Navy search base as the rescue team will need specs on the stress points on the 747. Later in the film, Patroni provides Gallagher, via comms link, the stress points on the 747. This information allows Gallagher, and the underwater rescue team, to place the balloons, and harnesses in the appropriate spots so the 747 doesn't split in two when it is being raised.
shareI suspect The Darren Mcgavin was first intended for Patroni but George Kennedy must had a prior enagement that ruled out a large role so a minor featured character was turned into Patroni.
shareIn the television version he has more scenes. In fact his son from "Airport 1975" also has a scene in it. If I remember correctly he and his son are supposed to do something together when he is called away to deal with the disaster.
shareThey were going to pick up an aunt and go to Joe Jrs high school graduation.
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I had read the novelezation and the Joe Patroni character doesn't appear at all. It's my guess that while they were making the film, someone at Universal realised that the audience would love to see Patroni and they shoehorned him into the film.
shareI personally don't see the point of him in ANY of the airport movies not just 77. He's an overbearing loudmouth know it all. It's funny how he's a mechanic in Airport but is consulted about what damage the bomb may cause. Then he's magically made into a vice president of operations who basically does nothing but yell. Then of course "liaison" in '77 (hello,made up) and then a 30 year pilot in the Concord who knows all about military missiles not to mention the behavior of a brand new missile never used before and of course an expert in human behavior as he knows what calms people down. As anyone could plainly see I HATE his guts.
shareThe Joe Patroni character in the book, and movie, "Airport" is not a run-of-the-mill mechanic. He's the uber wrench at the airport. Given his experience and he need for an economy of characters, it's not a stretch for him to be the one discussing the effects of a bomb on the plane.
His appearance in "Airport" was one of the highlights of the film; "That's the nice thing about the 707, she can do everything but read!"
Yeah, in "Airport 75", George Kennedy's acting was awful. Just yelling and blowing up. I like to think that's because the characters wife and son were on the stricken aircraft, but regardless, it's painful to watch.
He seems to go too far the other direction in "Airport 77" staying way too calm and quiet.
He seems to go too far the other direction in "Airport 77" staying way too calm and quiet.
I think that Patroni should have just been in the first film. His character deteriorated as the films went on (as did the general believability of the films). For those who critiscise him for being a 'know-it-all', then you should remember the other characters too. They were all showing 'unbelievable' levels of expertiism in their respective fields.
Patroni- mechanic who knows every bolt of the 707.
Lancaster- airport manager who actually has the managerial skills to run it expertly and in completely immune to stress. As well as knowing how to handle a board of directors and self important pilots.
Customs chief- who is an expert in human behaviour to such a degree which would make Sherlock Holmes look like an amateur.
Mrs Quonsett- a stowaway who knows every gap in airport and aircraft security and how to circumvent it.
"I'm not really me. Thats me there- that pile of albino mouse droppings!"
I might see George Kennedy(Joe Patroni) in the first three Airport movies. Being a top aircraft mechanic and being promoted to VP of operations seems somewhat plausible, but being a captain of a Concord or any other jet airliner seems a bit much.
In Airport 1979, Patroni stated he's been flying for 30 plus years. What about all those years he spent as a mechanic and as a VP of Operations? It is my understanding that if airline pilots haven't flown for 60 days, they need to be recertified. How could Patroni spend all those years as a mechanic and VP of Operations and still acquire and maintain proficiently as an airline captain?
Also, I have always felt that George Kennedy had a rather strong tendency to overact, but in all fairness, his performance in Airport 1979 seemed toned down and more acceptable.
There are a lot more Patroni scenes in the TV version incidentally. We see him playing a more direct role in the "liaison" function where we learn his company provided the aircraft for the Stevens Corporation. We also see the return of the actor who played his son in "Airport 1975" in several scenes as well. It's in the theatrical cut where his role is near invisible.
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