PARTNERS IN CRIME

US, 1973, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lee Grant, Robert Cummings, Richard Jaeckel, Harry Guardino, Charles Drake, Richard Anderson, Loraine Garry.
Directed by Jack Smight.

A slight telemovie which looks rather like a pilot for a television series. Ordinary kind of crime material, the film is distinguished by a central role being taken by Lee Grant, a very strong actress.

1. The entertainment value of this film? Its qualities as a telemovie in style and content?

2. The thriller conventions, criminal, dangers, murder mystery? As a pilot for a television series?

3. Colour photography, locations?

4. The basic credibility of the plot? The criminal and his plan for recovering the money, danger from rivals, solving the murder mystery? Appealing to the judge and her associate for help? The judge and her associate an credible characters?

5. The character of the judge in terms of administration of justice, helping criminals like Hatch, helping Jordan? Her involvement in the mystery? Dangers? Solving it, Hatch as a credible convict, helping the judge? Connors and his rivalry with Jordan? Jordan and his background, return from prison, searching out the money, deaths and danger? Mrs Jordan and the mystery? The irony of the characterization of the Lieutenant and his being the criminal?

6. The building up to a climax? The showdown at the airport? The use of the cards as symbols?

7. The value of this kind of entertainment - pastime, values, insight via crime thriller conventions?