''Linda'' is a 1973 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

crime thriller Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, ...

film directed by

Jack Smight John Ronald Smight (March 9, 1925 – September 1, 2003) was an American theatre and film director. His film credits include ''Harper'' (1966), '' No Way to Treat a Lady'' (1968), '' Airport 1975'' (1974), '' Midway'' (1976), and '' Fast Break ...

based on the novel by John D. MacDonald.

Plot

Paul Reston is considering leaving his wife Linda when she suddenly shoots Anne Braden. Anne's husband Jeff Braden runs to her aid and Linda appears to shoot him in the back, but when Paul brings the police to the scene Jeff is alive and accuses Paul of murdering Anne. The lovers Jeff and Linda attempt to have Paul take the fall for the crime by describing him as insane in their statements to the police. Certain that Linda and Jeff have been plotting against him, Paul hires Marshall Journeyman to defend him. Journeyman is skeptical at first but accepts the job and investigates Jeff and Linda.
One night Paul inserts a wire into a light socket and trips the fuse, causing his cell door to unlock. Paul sneaks out of his cell and escapes the prison then makes his way to Jeff and Linda and overhears them discussing the crime while hidden below a cliff overhang. Marshall Journeyman convinces the police chief to call in Jeff and Linda and convinces them that Jeff recorded their conversation by playing a tape made using voice actors. Linda calls it a farce but Jeff is frightened and insists that it was Linda's idea to actually go through with the plan. Marshall Journeyman opens the door so that Linda can hear Jeff confessing, which causes her to run in and call him spineless.
Paul is later shown visiting Linda in jail but she tells him not to pity her because she's "going to be out of this place in a flash."

Cast

Stella Stevens Stella Stevens (born Estelle Eggleston; October 1, 1938) is a American former actress. She began her acting career in 1959 and starred in such popular films as '' Girls! Girls! Girls!'' (1962), '' The Nutty Professor'' (1963), ''The Courtship of ...

as Linda Reston *

Ed Nelson Edwin Stafford Nelson (December 21, 1928 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Michael Rossi in the television series '' Peyton Place''. Nelson appeared in episodes of many TV programs, more than 50 mov ...

as Paul Reston *

John McIntire John Herrick McIntire (June 27, 1907 – January 30, 1991) was an American character actor who appeared in 65 theatrical films and many television series. McIntire is well known for having replaced Ward Bond, upon Bond's sudden death in Novem ...

as Marshall Journeyman *

John Saxon John Saxon (born Carmine Orrico; August 5, 1936 – July 25, 2020) was an American actor who worked on more than 200 film and television projects during a span of 60 years. He was known for his work in Westerns and horror films, often playing ...

as Jeff Braden *

Ford Rainey Ford Rainey (August 8, 1908 – July 25, 2005) was an American film, stage, and television actor.Myrna Oliver"Ford Rainey, 96; Performed Shakespeare, Shepard and Variety of Film, TV Roles" ''Los Angeles Times'', July 26, 2005. Early life Rainey ...

as Police Chief Vernon *

John Fink John Fink (born February 11, 1940) is an American film and television actor. In the 1970–1971 the NBC sitcom '' Nancy'', Fink was cast as an Iowa veterinarian, Dr. Adam Hudson, who marries the daughter of the President of the United States. ...

as Brownell * Alan Fudge as Officer Carr *

Ross Elliott Ross Elliott (born Elliott Blum, June 18, 1917 – August 12, 1999) was an American television and film character actor. He began his acting career in the Mercury Theatre, where he performed in ''The War of the Worlds (radio), The War of t ...

as Officer Ramsey * Gary Morgan as Young Man * Mary-Robin Redd as Anne Braden * Joyce Cunning as Louella * Barbara Sammeth as Young Woman

Broadcast

The film was broadcast as the ABC Saturday Suspense Movie at 7:30 p.m. on November 3, 1973.

Reception

In ''Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors'', Jerry Roberts writes, "As ''Linda'', Stella Stevens was pancaked, pushed-up, and slinky as the murderer of her lover's wife, and the mastermind of the frame-up of her own husband for the crime. Ed Nelson and John Saxon loitered."

References

External links

* 1973 television films 1973 films American crime thriller films American thriller television films American drama television films Films directed by Jack Smight ABC Movie of the Week Films about murder Films about murderers Films about infidelity Films set in prison 1970s crime thriller films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films {{US-tv-thriller-film-stub