They Only Kill Their Masters ** (1972, James Garner, Katharine Ross, Hal Holbrook, Harry Guardino) – Classic Movie Review 11,496

Director James Goldstone’s 1972 MGM American mystery thriller film They Only Kill Their Masters stars James Garner, Katharine Ross, Hal Holbrook and Harry Guardino. It is a just passable movie, but with two loveable ingredients – James Garner and a pet Doberman.

They Only Kill Their Masters is an intriguing whodunit that is as clumsy as its title, but the vintage players (June Allyson, Tom Ewell, Peter Lawford, Ann Rutherford, Edmond O’Brien, Arthur O’Connell), many of them contract artistes in MGM’s golden years, are well worth a look.

Garner is well cast and grabs all his opportunities as the local chief of police detectives Abel Marsh investigating who caused a pregnant woman’s death in the sleepy small American West Coast town of Eden Landing. Ross plays Kate Bingham, new nurse to veterinarian Dr Warren Watkins (Holbrook), who helps Garner out.

Divorcée Jenny Campbell has been killed by her pet Doberman on the shore of her beachfront home, so Abel visits Dr Watkins, who tranquilised the dog when it was found over Jenny’s body, and meets Kate, who objects to the dog being euthanised when it is so well behaved.

This thriller is never quite taut or atmospheric enough, and it is badly dated in its attitudes and fashions, but nevertheless it is intriguing enough and passable escapist entertainment, and worthwhile for Garner and the cast.

The main cast are James Garner as Police Chief Abel Marsh, Katharine Ross as Kate Bingham, Hal Holbrook as Dr. Warren Watkins, Harry Guardino as Captain Daniel Streeter, June Allyson as Mrs. Watkins, Tom Ewell as Walter, Peter Lawford as Campbell, Edmond O’Brien as George, Arthur O’Connell as Ernie, and Ann Rutherford as Gloria.

It is written by Lane Slate, who reworked the concept and main character several times. The sequel TV movie Isn’t It Shocking? (1973) starred Alan Alda as similar character Dan Barnes with the setting relocated to Oregon. Andy Griffith starred as a similar character named Sam McNeill in the 1974 TV movie Winter Kill. Griffith starred again as Sam Adams in 1975 in the short-lived TV series Adams of Eagle Lake, and again in 1977 as Abel Marsh in The Girl in the Empty Grave and Deadly Game.

The title refers to Doberman dog that might have been responsible for the woman’s death.

Garner wrote in his memoirs: ‘I’d rather not talk about the film.’

It was shot from late July to early September in 1972 as the last major film shot on MGM’s backlot before it was sold, and the former MGM stars appeared as a farewell. Other scenes were filmed at the Paradise Cove Pier, Paradise Cove in Malibu, California. Two years later in The Rockford Files, Garner ‘s trailer was in the same place.

Also in the cast are Art Metrano as Malcolm, Christopher Connelly as John, Harry Masch as Mayor Wendell, Jenifer Shaw as Diana, Jason Wingreen as Mallory, Robert Nichols as Doctor Peterson, Norma Connolly as Mrs. DeCamp, David Westberg as State Trooper, Lee Pulford as Jenny Campbell, Royce D. Applegate as Harry, and Alma Beltram as Rosa.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,496

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