Known for Art
William Ward Preston (April 20, 1932 – January 17, 2016) was an American production designer and art director. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Art Direction for the film The Towering Inferno.
Born
April 20, 1932
Died
January 17, 2016 (age 83)
Birthplace
Torrance, California, USA
Filmography
31 films, 4 shows


Staying Afloat
1993 · 1h 35m · US
In this comedy thriller, a prospective series pilot, Larry Hagman plays a disinherited socialite and high roller who, with the aid of a comely con artist and his sarcastic butler, helps the feds bring down an arms merchant.


Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis
1991 · 1h 40m · US
True story of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, its crew's struggle to survive the sharks and exposure, and the captain's scape-goat court-martial.


UHF
1989 · 1h 37m · US
The eccentric new manager of a UHF television channel tries to save the station from financial ruin with an odd array of programming.


The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory
1987 · 2h 20m · US
Against orders and with no help of relief Texas patriots led by William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett defend the Alamo against overwhelming Mexican forces.


American Anthem
1986 · 1h 42m · US
Steve is a talented gymnast who has given up competition and is working at his father's bike shop. Julie is the new girl at his old gym, who has moved to town to train with their powerful coach. Inspired by Julie, Steve resumes training. While dealing with the conflicts in their personal lives and the stress of training, they prepare for the US Olympic Trials.


Purple Rain
1984 · 1h 51m · US
A victim of his own anger, the Kid is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father, the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia. But another musician, Morris, looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.


That Championship Season
1982 · 1h 50m · US
It started as a friendly meeting between 4 old buddies with their basketball coach and ended up in revealing the truth about their relationship. The meeting forces the five men to reveal their true identity, to be honest with each other for the first time in their lives. When the night comes to an end they decide to go back to the old glorious days and reunite into the team which won that championship season, back in 1957.


Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.
1981 · 1h 30m · US
In a small Southern town, the local sheriff tries to keep everything peaceful and under control.


The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
1980 · 1h 33m · US
Ghosts and a young cadet try to save a military academy from being closed.


The Night the City Screamed
1980 · 1h 36m · US
A massive blackout plunges a major American city into a night of terror.


Airplane!
1980 · 1h 28m · US
An ex-fighter pilot is forced to take over the controls of an airliner when the flight crew succumbs to food poisoning.


Steel
1979 · 1h 42m · US
Mike Catton was once a world-renowned construction foreman (at least in the construction world), but an accident left him with a serious fear of heights. Unable to climb the big skyscrapers while under construction, he retired and became a truck driver. But when an old friend needs him to help put up a building, and when the old friend gets harassed and threatened by an Evil Corporate Type, he comes out of retirement and assembles the creme de la creme of the construction world. Together, they race against time to finish the building while the Evil Corporate Type tries to stop them.


Viva Knievel!
1977 · 1h 46m · US
The legendary stuntman plans his most incredible stunt yet while battling the mob in this action-adventure.