McNaughton's Daughter (TV 1976)

A female district attorney is assigned to prosecute a respected religious leader who is accused of murdering her young lover.

Directors:

Jack Arnold, Daniel Haller,

Writers:

Ken Trevey (screenplay), Ken Trevey (story),

Stars:

Susan Clark, Ricardo Montalban, James T. Callahan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Clark	...	Laurel McNaughton
Ricardo Montalban	...	Dist. Atty. Charles Quintero
James T. Callahan	...	Lew Farragut
John Elerick	...	Ed Hughes
Louise Latham	...	Cassy Garnett
Vera Miles	...	Grace Coventry
Ralph Bellamy	...	Moses Bellman
Mike Farrell	...	Colin Pierce
Ramon Bieri	...	Randall Justice
Tina Andrews	...	Aprili
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Zareb Parker
Ivor Francis	...	Judge
Jeff Donnell	...	Juror
Raul Arroyo	...	Carlos Ruiz
Joey Aresco	...	Jerry Loftus

Storyline

A female district attorney is assigned to prosecute a respected religious leader who is accused of murdering her young lover.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | poison | trial | secret | daughter | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Try to Catch a Saint

Company Credits

Production Co:

Groverton Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

A '70s Mother Theresa is accused of murder

This was, I guess, a pilot for a series called "McNaughton's Daughter" that didn't make it. Susan Clark plays an assistant district attorney who is, as the title suggests, the daughter of a prominent (defense) lawyer. She is assigned the case of a Mother Theresa type who raises money for the poor in Africa, and in fact, has adopted a child from there, Aprile. However, this sainted woman is now accused of murdering someone in her organization. Clark does not believe a jury will convict.

The plot centers around two strong women, Clark and the icon, well played by Vera Miles. Clark is attempting to live her own life, which draws some disapproval: she has a live-in boyfriend, Bohemian friends, and she's on the side of the prosecution. Miles may be a saint, or she may be a fraud and a murderer.

It's an interesting story, with nice appearances by Ralph Bellamy, Ricardo Montalban, and Louise Latham. There were many such shows bouncing around in the '70s; I suppose that's why this one didn't take off. But Clark is an excellent actress and this pilot certainly had the benefit of a good script and a strong cast.