Murder in Texas (film)

Murder in Texas
GenreDrama
Based onPrescription Murder
by Ann Kurth
Written byJohn McGreevey
Directed byWilliam Hale
StarringKatharine Ross
Sam Elliott
Farrah Fawcett
Andy Griffith
Theme music composerLeonard Rosenman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersDavid Salzman
Dick Clark
Preston Fischer
ProducerWilliam Hale (as Billy Hale)
CinematographyDonald M. Morgan
EditorJohn A. Martinelli
Running time200 min
Production companyDick Clark Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMay 3, 1981 (1981-05-03)

Murder in Texas is a 1981 television film starring Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, Farrah Fawcett, and Andy Griffith. The film was directed by William Hale, and was based on a true story; that was written for the TV screen by John McGreevey. It first aired on television in two parts on Sunday and Monday May 3–4, 1981.[1]

Plot

Based on the true story of the death of Joan Robinson Hill, this film tells of a plastic surgeon who was suspected of causing the death of his first wife, the daughter of a wealthy member of Houston society. The circumstances around her death – which was never solved – are clouded by a suspiciously hasty embalming and a hurried burial. The doctor then marries his mistress. In spite of two autopsies showing that his daughter died of natural causes, Ash Robinson, convinced that his daughter was murdered, sets out single-handedly to find out the true cause of her death, determined to see that the doctor is punished.

Cast

Reception

The movie was highly ranked in the Nielsen ratings. Part I was the fifth-most popular show for the week ending May 3, and Part II was the most popular show of the following week.[2][3]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
1981
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special Andy Griffith Nominated [4]
Outstanding Film Editing for a Limited Series or a Special John A. Martinelli Won
1982
 American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Episode from a Television Mini-Series Nominated [5]
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [6]

References

  1. ^ Blau, Eleanor (May 3, 1981). "Television Week". The New York Times. p. A2. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  2. ^ "Dallas helps CBS Win". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1981. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Last week's Nielsen horse race wasn't the usual event..." UPI. May 13, 1981. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Murder in Texas". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  5. ^ "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "Murder in Texas". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.


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