This is one of the famous ABC MOVIES OF THE WEEK we all grew up on as kids, not to be forgotten. Still just as good today as it was then, and yes, I agree with the last reviewer, this is perhaps John Forsythe's finest role. He deserved an Emmy nod.
The plot is very simple, and reminscent of lots of cop shows, all about a small town with strange characters. Forsythe plays a salesman called Dave Ryder, travelling through a remote part of southern California, who happens to accidentally run down an important man. When he goes for the police -- the man's body conveniently disappears and the locals try to make it look like he's some sort of a crackpot. You have to love this, because it's a heck of a charade.
Interestingly, it turns out the dead man practically owned the town and everybody in it, and was having an affair with the sheriff's wife. A contemporary PEYTON PLACE to be sure. Fascinating to watch.
Super writing on the part of Jack B. Sowards, famous for writing the classic Star Trek movie, THE WRATH OF KHAN. Prior to this tv movie, Sowards wrote the popular 70s mystery, THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS.
Bolstered by a terrific cast. Earl Holliman is memorable as the "easy going" sheriff. Same for Norman Alden, playing the good old country doctor.
Ralph Meeker plays Chuck and veteran actress Claudia McNeil plays the housekeeper (who knows all the secrets), Mrs. Hanson. In a stand-out performance is Anne Francis (as Julie), the lady of mystery, a role she was so good at. Watch Anne at her very best.
Look for famous bit actor Bob Harks (who appeared in nearly every tv show in small roles for decades), this time playing the driver of a hearse. He should have written a book about his on screen adventures.
A real deal treat, and the ending is one you won't forget. Forsythe is THAT CLOSE to going to jail himself. Some beautiful countryside and desert locations, and not to forget that mysterious ranch house. Everything clicks.
Beware of the meat locker scene!
Released on dvd in 2003, a three movie set, along with AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (1945) and Vincent Price's THE BAT (1959). Shop around because some (not all) dvd box sets are very expensive.
The plot is very simple, and reminscent of lots of cop shows, all about a small town with strange characters. Forsythe plays a salesman called Dave Ryder, travelling through a remote part of southern California, who happens to accidentally run down an important man. When he goes for the police -- the man's body conveniently disappears and the locals try to make it look like he's some sort of a crackpot. You have to love this, because it's a heck of a charade.
Interestingly, it turns out the dead man practically owned the town and everybody in it, and was having an affair with the sheriff's wife. A contemporary PEYTON PLACE to be sure. Fascinating to watch.
Super writing on the part of Jack B. Sowards, famous for writing the classic Star Trek movie, THE WRATH OF KHAN. Prior to this tv movie, Sowards wrote the popular 70s mystery, THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS.
Bolstered by a terrific cast. Earl Holliman is memorable as the "easy going" sheriff. Same for Norman Alden, playing the good old country doctor.
Ralph Meeker plays Chuck and veteran actress Claudia McNeil plays the housekeeper (who knows all the secrets), Mrs. Hanson. In a stand-out performance is Anne Francis (as Julie), the lady of mystery, a role she was so good at. Watch Anne at her very best.
Look for famous bit actor Bob Harks (who appeared in nearly every tv show in small roles for decades), this time playing the driver of a hearse. He should have written a book about his on screen adventures.
A real deal treat, and the ending is one you won't forget. Forsythe is THAT CLOSE to going to jail himself. Some beautiful countryside and desert locations, and not to forget that mysterious ranch house. Everything clicks.
Beware of the meat locker scene!
Released on dvd in 2003, a three movie set, along with AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (1945) and Vincent Price's THE BAT (1959). Shop around because some (not all) dvd box sets are very expensive.