BETRAYAL

US, 1974, 74 minutes, Colour.
Amanda Blake, Tisha Sterling, Dick Haymes, Sam Groom.
Directed by Gordon Hessler.

An interesting and effective telemovie. It borrows its plot from the old story of the Kind Lady - the servant ingratiating herself into the friendship of a rich old lady, with intent to rob. The central character in this film is well played by Amanda Blake, star of Gunsmoke. The central role of the servant is taken by Ann Sothern's daughter Tisha Sterling, who is quite credible in the central role, even if with the brief running space of the film, she has to change and develop her motivation. Sam Groom is an above average, suave villain. There is a piece of surprise casting with Dick Haymes, the popular crooner of the forties, playing an elderly judge. Nothing particularly new, but well done of its kind.

1. The entertainment value of tele-movies, their dramatic effect in the home? Suspense? Moral values and issues?

2. How well drawn was the plot, the effectiveness of the opening and the establishing of Gretchen as Mrs Russell's servant, the robbery, the revelation of the truth about Gretchen and Jay, Mrs Russell's death? The introduction to characters, situations? Pension? The irony of the audience knowing what was to happen before it happened? Audience involvement in the characters, situations? The effectiveness of this brief introduction?

3. The American style of the film - the American world, California, wealthy people, society, violence, crime?

4. The ambiguity of the moral judgments made during the opening? The judgments on Gretchen? Revulsion at the murder? The testing of these attitudes throughout the film?

5. Gretchen and her brain work, her work with the old ladies, her planning? Things going wrong and her ability to cope? Disguise? Connections with Jay? Her reaction to Mrs Russell's death? Jay and his reliance on Gretchen? His being her reference by phone? His callow violence, especially in Mrs Russell's death?

6. The brief characterisation of Mrs Russell, the companion, fear, the message to her daughter, the murder?

7. Audience reaction to the setting up of Helen Mercer? Gretchen's plan, arrival, things going askew, Gretchen's not anticipating the human element, it being too late to change, Jay's arrival, his daring attitudes towards Helen, Gretchen and her having to manipulate the situation? The audience's changing attitude towards Gretchen?

8. The initial impact of Helen, strong character, mellowing when the audience got to know her, the story about her husband and her marriage, the shooting and its effect? The Judge and his attentions? Helen's social life, her business sense, her designing? her friends? The dog - and Jay's later killing it? Her making Gretchen welcome, the house, shopping? The growing conversations and the genuine attitudes of Helen towards Gretchen? Her welcome to Jay to stay in the house? The build-up to the confrontation with Jay, the terror in the house, shooting and the same situation occurring? The credibility of her judgment to hide the body? Her puzzle about Gretchen, wanting to share the responsibility with Gretchen? The end and the pain of her understanding the truth? How well drawn a character? The focus of the title on her?

9. The comparison of the characterisation of Gretchen? First judgments on her, her disguise, lies, cruelty? Connections with Jay? Her capacity for improvisation? The friendship with Helen, its effect on her? Jay's arrival and her story, the tensions at the dinner, Jay and his boasting? The dance and her enjoyment of it, her interest in Helen's shop? The possibilities of the future? The questions about the body, the police? Her planning to help Helen and escape? The irony of her being caught by Jay's set-up? Her surrender, her future? Conscience questions? An opportunity for reform? The bonds with Helen?

10. Jay and his callowness, shooting Mrs Russell, posing as the doctor, his arrival at the house and his posing as the author, claiming acquaintance with Helen's friends, planning to rob the house, chasing Helen around the house, the irony of his death? The irony of his setting up the gun for Gretchen and her being caught by it?

11. The Judge and his pleasant attentions, the background of San Francisco society?

12. The build-up of the friendship between the two women, detail and warmth, irony? The parallels of the killings, the concealment? The control of each over the other? The loneliness? The mutual saving of each other? The betrayal of the title?

13. How effective was the drama, characterisation, plot interest? Issues for reflection?