it be well than it should have be . it seem like it be first slat a a movie of the week but then an fading mgm figure to score some box office buck with the gimmick of this be one of their last movie shoot on a studio lot . cast mgm veteran in small part help some but and this be a detective movie and jim garner have to carry it all the way . which he do with his usual aplomb . it a movie of it time . it a small town murder mystery with a back story which might have come from a playboy or penthouse fiction piece while the type no major studio would have look at just three year earlier ( it be make in 1972 ) and let alone in mgm heyday . fault aside and this movie have it interesting plot twist ratchet up what little tension there be and so i be hook until the end . but a loose end or two be never answer where do the fresh water come from . and if it be from the bath tub and be any fluoridation find . what happen to peter lawford girlfriend . in one scene she wave hello with her generous bust while in the next a crucial one involve pl character there patently no trace of her nor do anyone ask . eh . hal holbrook and katherine ross form the remainder of the troika of lead while holbrook a the county vet and ross a his long haired and long legged assistant from new york . in other word and she really there to become romantically involved with garner character ( a cinematic must . ) harry guardino county sheriff brings in his boy when thing get tricky but to no any real effect except the last scene . garner character never feel the case slip away from him or the noose tightening a with humphrey bogart sam spade in the maltese falcon . june allyson have a cameo and bringing in yet another plot twist . a good screenwriter and or or director would have put her in more of the picture . her brief presence light up the screen far more than the rest of the cast combine maybe she should have play the detective .