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IMDbPro

They Only Kill Their Masters

  • 19721972
  • PGPG
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
California small town police chief investigates a suspicious death involving the victim's own dog that presumably killed its owner.
Play trailer2:43
1 Video
24 Photos
  • Mystery
  • Romance
  • Thriller
California small town police chief investigates a suspicious death involving the victim's own dog that presumably killed its owner.California small town police chief investigates a suspicious death involving the victim's own dog that presumably killed its owner.California small town police chief investigates a suspicious death involving the victim's own dog that presumably killed its owner.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • James Goldstone
  • Writer
    • Lane Slate
  • Stars
    • James Garner
    • Katharine Ross
    • Hal Holbrook
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Goldstone
  • Writer
    • Lane Slate
  • Stars
    • James Garner
    • Katharine Ross
    • Hal Holbrook
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:43
    Official Trailer

    Photos24

    They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    James Garner, Peter Lawford, and Hans in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    James Garner in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    June Allyson in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    Tom Ewell in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    June Allyson and James Garner in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    Lee Pulford and Hans in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    Hal Holbrook and Hans in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    James Garner and Arthur O'Connell in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    Ann Rutherford in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)
    Ann Rutherford in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Garner
    James Garner
    • Abel Marshas Abel Marsh
    Katharine Ross
    Katharine Ross
    • Kate Binghamas Kate Bingham
    Hal Holbrook
    Hal Holbrook
    • Dr. Warren G. Watkinsas Dr. Warren G. Watkins
    Harry Guardino
    Harry Guardino
    • Capt. Daniel Streeteras Capt. Daniel Streeter
    June Allyson
    June Allyson
    • Mrs. Watkinsas Mrs. Watkins
    Christopher Connelly
    Christopher Connelly
    • Johnas John
    Tom Ewell
    Tom Ewell
    • Walteras Walter
    Peter Lawford
    Peter Lawford
    • Lee Campbellas Lee Campbell
    Edmond O'Brien
    Edmond O'Brien
    • Georgeas George
    Arthur O'Connell
    Arthur O'Connell
    • Ernieas Ernie
    Ann Rutherford
    Ann Rutherford
    • Gloriaas Gloria
    Art Metrano
    Art Metrano
    • Malcolmas Malcolm
    Harry Basch
    Harry Basch
    • Mayor Wendellas Mayor Wendell
    Jenifer Shaw
    Jenifer Shaw
    • Dianaas Diana
    Jason Wingreen
    Jason Wingreen
    • Malloryas Mallory
    Robert Nichols
    Robert Nichols
    • Doctor Petersonas Doctor Peterson
    Norma Connolly
    • Mrs. DeCampas Mrs. DeCamp
    David Westberg
    David Westberg
    • State Trooperas State Trooper
    • Director
      • James Goldstone
    • Writer
      • Lane Slate
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Peter Lawford, June Allyson, and Ann Rutherford were all veterans who had spent the better part of their careers at M-G-M. Allyson and Lawford had co-starred together in two films, Good News (1947) and Little Women (1949), while also appearing separately in Girl Crazy (1943). This film served as a reunion of sorts, giving them an opportunity to be in the last film shot on the fabled studio backlot before the land was sold.
    • Goofs
      When he starts chasing Watkins, Abel is driving a 1967 Chevrolet. When he runs Watkins off the road in the field above the ocean at the conclusion of the same chase, Abel is driving a 1966 Chevrolet.
    • Quotes

      Kate Bingham: Can you imagine coming home, and your wife says she's leaving you for someone else, and you say, "Who, Phil?" and she says, "No. Phyllis."

      Abel Marsh: Well, that's the ultimate put-down... to those of us who are normal heterosexuals.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: James Garner/Bruce Dern/Terry Galanoy (1972)

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Marsh Files
    One of the first vehicles of the 1970's catering to the 1970's Doberman craze; although this particular pooch is more a McGuffin than pet: A friendly yet sometimes growling, possibly deadly red-herring that could provide California small town sheriff James Garner some clues...

    He plays writer Lane Slate's rural lawman, Abel Marsh, in the first of three movies (Andy Griffith took over the rest); and while this is the only one made for the big screen, with a lightweight, glossy main score it both sounds and plays like a Movie Of The Week...

    Even the town itself, the last chance audiences got see the Universal lot, is pure television, as is Garner's affable manner despite throwing around a few glib curse words and references to homosexuality...

    The latter concerns the woman who dies in the beginning, seeming killed by the dog, Murphy... And, adding to the sporadic attempts to fit into the progressive, post counter-culture era, the beach-drowned victim is the bisexual wife of classy Peter Lawford, hanging around a young, full-chested and very straight Jenifer Shaw...

    But it's natural-beauty's natural-beauty Katharine Ross who provides Garner both an ingenue and a possible twist... One of several moments where THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS wakes up from its episodic daze and becomes the Old School Detective/Neo Noir Mystery it strives for (but not quite often enough).
    helpful•0
    0
    • TheFearmakers
    • May 24, 2021

    FAQ1

    • Who killed Mr. Campbell (Peter Lawford) ?? Dr. Watkins, his wife?? The fire, but who set it in the first place!? Mrs. Watkins or her husband trying to cover for her!??

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 26, 1973 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Bestie hat einen Namen... Dobermann
    • Filming locations
      • Malibu, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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