Murder in Texas | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama |
Written by | Ann Kurth (book) John McGreevey |
Directed by | William Hale |
Starring | Katharine Ross Sam Elliott Farrah Fawcett Andy Griffith |
Theme music composer | Leonard Rosenman |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | David Salzman Dick Clark Preston Fischer |
Producer | William Hale (as Billy Hale) |
Cinematography | Donald M. Morgan |
Editor | John A. Martinelli |
Running time | 200 min |
Production company | Dick Clark Productions |
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | May 3, 1981 |
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]
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 of 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.
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]
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] |
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Katharine Juliet Ross is an American actress on film, stage, and television. Her accolades include an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.
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Joan Olive Robinson Hill was a socialite and equestrian from Houston, Texas. Her unexplained death at age 38 led to her husband, John Hill, becoming the first person to be indicted by the state of Texas on the charge of murder by omission. The case precipitated a series of events that included the 1972 murder of John Hill and, two years later, the fatal police shooting of the man accused of that murder. Adopted as an infant by wealthy oil tycoon Davis Ashton "Ash" Robinson and his wife, Rhea, Joan became an equestrian at a young age. She excelled and continued the sport into adulthood, ultimately winning several national titles.
The death of Joan Robinson Hill at 38 years old led to her husband, John Hill, becoming the first person to be indicted by the State of Texas on the charge of murder by omission. The case precipitated a series of events that included the 1972 murder of John Hill and, two years later, the fatal police shooting of the man accused of that murder.