A cop quits the force after too much disappointment in the system. He becomes a bodyguard of a rich recent widow. She is on trial for her husband's murder. He decides to help her clear her name... and get over her husband.
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Title: A Lovely Way to Die (1968)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Kirk Douglas | ... | Jameson Schuyler | |
| Sylva Koscina | ... | Rena Westabrook | |
| Eli Wallach | ... | Tennessee Fredericks | |
| Kenneth Haigh | ... | Jonathan Fleming | |
 |
Martyn Green | ... | Finchley |
| Sharon Farrell | ... | Carol | |
| Ruth White | ... | Biddy | |
| Philip Bosco | ... | Fuller | |
| Ralph Waite | ... | Sean Magruder | |
| Meg Myles | ... | Mrs. Magruder | |
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William Roerick | ... | Loren Westabrook |
| Dana Elcar | ... | Layton | |
| Dolph Sweet | ... | Captain Haver | |
|
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Dee Victor | ... | Mrs. Gordon |
| Lincoln Kilpatrick | ... | Daley | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A womanizing policeman with a tendency for violent arrests quits the department rather than face an inquiry. He is recruited by a defense lawyer to assist with the murder trial of a young beautiful foreign widow whose older rich husband was killed. The wife and her playboy boyfriend are the defendants and the ex-cop is assigned to check out their alibi including a dubious witness. There is a larger criminal conspiracy underway and the relationship of the suspect and her husband and his murder get swept up in the cover up of the real crime. Written by prairiekid
Taglines:
He uses his badge like a bludgeon...She uses her body like a lure! See more »Parents Guide:
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Music by Kenyon Hopkins
Lyrics by Judy Spencer
Sung by Jackie Wilson
Recording produced by Carl Davis
[Played over opening title card and credits]
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Did You Know?
Goofs
Kirk and the widow are sitting at the side of the road outside the gated estate of the crime. Several of the criminals approach, honk the horn, and the gate opens to let them in. Kirk follows them through the open gate. How did the guys in the car not see Kirk and the big black Lincoln sitting across from the gate and why would they allow him to follow them into the crime scene. See more »Soundtracks
A Lovely Way to DieMusic by Kenyon Hopkins
Lyrics by Judy Spencer
Sung by Jackie Wilson
Recording produced by Carl Davis
[Played over opening title card and credits]
See more »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
19 April 1968 (West Germany) See more »Also Known As:
A Lovely Way to Die See more »Company Credits
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Police detective Jim Schuyler (Kirk Douglas) quits his job before he gets investigated for a history of rough treatment of suspects. He takes work from lawyer Tennessee Fredericks (Eli Wallach) and his client Rena Westabrook who is going on trial for the murder of her wealthy husband.
At first, I thought Jim is being hired to solve the murder. Instead, he's not much more than a bodyguard and the movie takes on a slightly comedic tone. I don't see how the clashing tones work in this movie. It's weird and it goes nowhere quick. The murder trial hangs over everything and lacks any tension. I really don't like the music. It takes over an hour before she asks him to find her husband's killer. Why hire a police detective in the first place if not to solve the case? I just wanted him to get going with the investigating.