Where Have All the People Gone (1974)

Peter Graves and his kids seem to be the last people on earth.No zombies! Great! If a movie like this were made today we would get zombies running all over the place, but thankfully we are free of all that! In fact, there is very limited violence here.This TV movie is not in the same class as the feature film, The Omega Man (1971), but the suspense and mystery of the whole thing will hold you from beginning to end.Also, this is not as depressing as many other films with this plot line. Nice to see Peter Graves in the lead role but some might struggle with his being so serious after seeing him in the comedy: Airplane (1980).

Another TV movie that has stayed with me ever since I first saw it, aged about 12, resurfaced recently, prompting this review.Peter Graves, complete with gray hair – I bet he was born with it that color - plays Steve Anders who, as the movie starts, is on vacation with his family in some unspecified California mountains. His daughter (a young Kathleen Quinlan) and son stay with him, along with Clancy (Noble Willingham), a friend, digging for fossils in a cave, while his wife leaves them to return to LA. Not long after, the sun brightens dramatically for a few seconds, which phenomenon is followed by an earthquake.In short order, Clancy, who was the only one of the four on the surface when the sun flared up and told the others about it, falls ill. The family thinks it is radiation poisoning and he dies as they try to get him back to civilization. When they themselves get there, they find towns that are empty, apart from clothes full of a strange powder, mad dogs, and a very few survivors who tell of a disease that wiped out most of humanity within hours.There isn't actually much more to it than that, but I found the story oddly absorbing and the whole treatment pleasingly creepy.Peter Graves turns in a solid performance and the two kids aren't too nauseating, though a little shrill at times. It was also fun to see Noble Willingham, whom I otherwise only know from "The Royale", a better-than-average episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", in something else.Camera work and effects are fine considering when the film was made, the music is adequate, and it doesn't go on too long. All in all, then, well worth seeing.Rating: 7/10.

Where Have All the People Gone is a great movie. The idea is great. It was executed great. I thought it was great how the father always looked on the bright side and protected his children from whatever foe they faced. It almost felt real except one problem. Did a deadly virus kill everyone except the people that were immune? If so what is the point of the solar flares? If the solar flares some how killed everyone how could the surviving characters be immune to the sun? Who knows? Did the solar flare cause the virus somehow? Who knows? Haha i don't care this movie hooked me in from the start. Its very entertaining watching the apocalypse unfold in such a way.

I recently saw "Where Have All the People Gone?" (1974) (TV) for the first time in many years. I think Jim Arness's little brother, Peter Graves, is a very good actor but this movie is less than perfect.Steven Anders (Graves) & his family are camping. Mom Barbara (Jay MacIntosh) has returned home so we don't get to know her well until the end. Their children, David (George O'Hanlon) & Deborah (Kathleen Quinlan), are having a great time, although Deb is interested in trying a spa vacation next year.While they are in one of their caves the Anders "enjoy" an earthquake. Needless to say they evacuate immediately. Their guide, Jim (Noble Willingham), tells them that just before the quake the sun suddenly exploded like a flare. Shortly after Jim sickens. The next day he is dead. Now the walk begins. They head back to the little town their camping adventure started out in but everyone has followed Jim's example. So Steve & the kids set up to leave for home in Los Angeles in hopes of finding Mom safe & sound. They are wondering why they are still alive.Their next stop brings Jenny (Verna Bloom) into their lives. Found hidden in a VW Van, she has obviously suffered trauma from the possible loss of her family but she can't tell them, she can't talk. When David asks what they'll do with her, Deborah suggests cleaning her up, feeding her & taking her along.Then they're stopped at gun point. The Bronco & their food is stolen. The thief is trying to get to his home in Arizona. He hopes his family is O.K. David wants to get him but Steve knows how he feels.Next stop brings them to a ranch, 2 dead bodies, a wagon & a team of horses...&, of course, someone in the barn with a loaded rifle. This is where young Michael (Michael-James Wixted) comes into the picture. Steve is trying to move Jenny & Deborah out of the line of fire. David decides to get the rifle & succeeds in wrestling it away from the 10 year old. His parents are the dead ones because of the theft of their vehicles by evil doers. In a situation like this people can be at their worst. Needless to say Michael isn't feeling very trusting but Steve puts him at ease. Because of Michael we'll soon learn Jenny's story because she feels he is her son Billy & is very protective of him. The cast is good. They carry their parts well. Peter, Kathleen & George are particularly good.From the theft of the Bronco forward this movie picks up on excitement & strong emotions. I would recommend it if you don't expect too much at first. It has a slow start to say the least BUT it doesn't stay that way.