IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

US, 1971, 75 minutes, Colour.
Richard Boone, Suzanne Pleshette, Stella Stevens, John Marley, Whit Bissell.
Directed by Robert Day.

In Broad Daylight was one of the first American telemovies, from the early 1970s. It is a routine story about a blinded actor who discovers that his wife is having an affair and he plans to kill her.

1. The appeal of the thriller? Audience enjoyment of the plot, identifying with the characters? The success of this film?

2. Audience expectations of telemovie thrillers - the patterns of the popular series? how well did this film stand by itself?

3. Colour photography, California, glossiness and wealth of Los Angeles? homes, hotels, etc.? The score?

4. The possibilities of the plot - the plan for the perfect crime? The execution of the crime, Chapell and his attempt to recover the umbrella, his being caught? The effect of the audience of participating in the plan, its execution, the attempt to save the plan?

5. Richard Boone's performance as Tony Chapell? His blindness, his arrogance on release from the hospital, his relationship with Kate, the memories of his career, his discovery about Elizabeth and Crawford? His quickness in reaction in covering his tracks, living, a performance, elaborating his plan and executing it?

6. How good was the plan for the perfect crime: his various tantrums and pretences, making Liz

7. Stella Stevens' glamour as the unfaithful Elizabeth, double values and hypocrisy, her death - deserved? her treatment of Tony Crawford and his being framed for the murder? His calling the police?

8. Bergman and his suspicions, the discussions with Chapell, following up the clues, the discussions with the Police Chief, the interviews with the person who saw the Greek, the search for the umbrella, the interviewing of Kate, the discovery of the scrapbook? The final arrest?

9. Kate and her work helping the blind, her interest in Tony, her going away, the interrogation at the police station, her realisation of the truth?

10. Chapell's attempt to recover the umbrella and his using his skills? his satisfaction at finding it?

12. The irony of the ending ? capitalising on Chapell's blindness and its being his downfall?

13. The picture of crime, the avenging of injuries - two wrongs not making a right?