A Killing in a Small Town (1990)

The gory ax-murder of one mousy, suburban Texas housewife by another is nearly as shocking as the excuse offered by the bespectacled defendant's attorney: self-defense. Could it be so?

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers:

John Bloom (book), James Atkinson (book) (as Jim Atkinson)

Stars:

Barbara Hershey, Brian Dennehy, John Terry

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbara Hershey	...	Candy Morrison
Brian Dennehy	...	Ed Reivers
John Terry	...	Stan Blankenship
Richard Gilliland	...	Dale Morrison
Lee Garlington	...	Peggy Blankenship
Hal Holbrook	...	Dr. Beardsley
Matthew Posey	...	Norman Billings
James Monroe Black	...	Dr. Giles (as James Black)
Dennis Letts	...	Chief McAlester
Marco Perella	...	Rick Slocum
Norman Bennett	...	Jim Ramsey
Jerry Haynes	...	Judge Scott
Rodger Boyce	...	Rex Staples
Daphne Eckler	...	Dede Alexander
Jan DeWitt	...	Connie Keating

Storyline

In a quiet Texas town, Candy Morrison and her husband, Dale, seem to live an ordinary life -- but that all changes when she begins sleeping with her husband's friend Stan Blankenship. When Stan's wife winds up dead -- the victim of a brutal ax murder -- Candy's arrest leaves the community in disbelief. And, as her attorney Ed Reivers attempts to prove her innocence, he makes a shocking discovery about his client.

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Plot Keywords:

upskirt | lifting up dress | hand up dress | texas | murder | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the true story of the 1980 murder of Betty Gore by Candace (Candy) Montgomery in Wylie, Texas.

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Goofs

The film establishes that the crime was committed on the Friday 13th January, 1980. However, that date fell on a Sunday not Friday.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Barbara Hershey/Jeff Cesario/Dr. Henry Stenhouse (1990)

User Reviews

A great performance by Barbara Hershey

I saw this movie since it's release in 1990, I've been amazed by the incredible performance by Miss Hershey, Brian Dennehy is very good too, I think Barbara Hershey is a very underrated actress, I just rented the Entity another of her mind-blowing performances, Killing in a small town, a small budget film but with great acting, I'm going to have to buy the video, 'cause I haven't seen it in video clubs. Thanks for your time

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Axtmörderin

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hearst Entertainment Productions, IndieProd Company Productions, King Phoenix Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1