They Only Kill Their Masters

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They Only Kill Their Masters

PG

1972

1h 37m

Mystery & Thriller

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3 Reviews

30%

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100+ Ratings

When a woman is mysteriously killed in the small coastal town of Eden Landing, Police Chief Abel Marsh (James Garner) investigates. Initially, he's inclined to believe the town rumor that she was killed by her own Doberman Pinscher. But as Abel digs deeper he uncovers a complex network of connections between the dead girl and virtually everyone else in their tiny community. Faced with an ever-widening number of suspects, Abel consoles himself by sleeping with the prettiest (Katharine Ross).

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The mystery isn't too complex, but Garner and Ross make the film interesting nonetheless.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 31, 2020

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Dick Lochte

Los Angeles Free Press

With television gradually improving the quality of its Movies of the Week, one would expect theatrical producers to follow that example.

Jan 3, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Neat atmospheric low-key whodunit.

Rated: B-

Oct 9, 2013

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Felix M

My wife and I saw this movie in the theater during our second year of marriage in 1972. We were both big fans of James Garner, and living in a coastal town on Cape Cod, we enjoyed it very much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

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Audience Member

Wait for it...what a twist, what a slice of history. Extremely CONTROVERSIAL & AHEAD of its time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

James Garner is the sheriff of a small costal California town (modern day, not old west) investigating the murder of a woman in this Raymond Chandler-like mystery. Katharine Ross, Hal Holbrook, June Allyson, Tom Ewell , Peter Lawford, Edmond O'Brien and Arthur O'Connell are among the suspects, but sadly the film is rather slow and not all that engaging. Garner is always easy to watch on screen, so that helped hold my interest compared to if there had been a lesser actor in the lead.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

one of those dog movies first saw this at the drive-in

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

A "whodunit" with an interesting premise - did a Doberman actually kill his master or is there something more sinister behind it all? Unfortunately, this narrative hook is handled in a very straight-forward and obvious manner that is more adequate for an episode of, say, "The Rockford Files" (which, or course, features Garner as well). The direction is rather workman-like (again, TV quality) but the performances are strong enough to maintain interest (especially Garner). Sadly, this is nothing more than a good episode of a some detective show and not the quality of a feature film. If it's on television, give it a watch, but don't go out of your way to see it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS (1972)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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James Goldstone

Director

James Garner

Abel

Katharine Ross

Kate

Hal Holbrook

Watkins

Harry Guardino

Capt. Streeter

June Allyson

Mrs. Watkins

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Synopsis

When a woman is mysteriously killed in the small coastal town of Eden Landing, Police Chief Abel Marsh (James Garner) investigates. Initially, he's inclined to believe the town rumor that she was killed by her own Doberman Pinscher. But as Abel digs deeper he uncovers a complex network of connections between the dead girl and virtually everyone else in their tiny community. Faced with an ever-widening number of suspects, Abel consoles himself by sleeping with the prettiest (Katharine Ross).

Director: James Goldstone
Producer: William Belasco
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 37m

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