A Killing Affair
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A Killing Affair (also known as Behind the Badge) is a 1977 American made-for-television crime drama film starring Elizabeth Montgomery and O. J. Simpson. The film originally aired on CBS on September 21, 1977.

Plot

Elizabeth Montgomery and O. J. Simpson star as homicide detectives pursuing a killer played by Dean Stockwell. While working on the case, the partners begin having a heated romantic affair.

Cast

Actor Role
Elizabeth Montgomery Vikki Eaton
O. J. Simpson Woodrow York
Rosalind Cash Beverly York
John Mahon Det. Shoup
Priscilla Pointer Judge Cudahy
Allan Rich Capt. Bullis
Charles Robinson Buck Fryman
John P. Ryan Flagler
Dean Stockwell Kenneth Switzer
Dolph Sweet Lt. Scotty Neilson
Todd Bridges Todd York
Fred Stuthman Lukens Switzer
John Steadman Cooks
Michael Durrell Cabrillo
Stephen Parr Sgt. Boyle

Reception

A Killing Affair received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for O. J. Simpson. People called it Simpson s best dramatic performance to date. John J. O Connor of the New York Times wrote,

A Killing Affair is an odd mixture of cliché and quietly powerful statements and perceptions. With David Gerber as executive producer, it has the invaluable asset of a first-rate production. Mr. Simpson tends to settle into an acting monotone, but his personality is so basically attractive that he is able to get maximum results with minimum effort. Miss Montgomery accomplishes the difficult task of transforming a somewhat hardened and cynical professional into a vulnerable but unsentimental human being. And Rosalind Cash is superb as Mrs. York, uncompromising in her portrait of a loving woman being forced into the role of a shrew. Everything works out for the best in the end, of course, but even the resolution is acceptable and quite moving.

A Killing Affair received a 29% Nielsen rating, finishing second to Charlie s Angels in its time slot.

There was relatively little controversy generated by the interracial romance between the protagonists. Montgomery and Simpson did not receive any significant hate mail, though one Southern CBS affiliate did receive a bomb threat after the film aired.

Year 1977
ReleaseDate 1977-09-21
RuntimeMins 100
RuntimeStr 1h 40min
Plot A white female detective is partnered with a black male detective to find the person who is committing a series of particularly vicious murders. During the course of the investigation the two begin to develop an attraction to each…
Awards Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy, 2 nominations total
Directors Richard C. Sarafian
Writers E. Arthur Kean
Stars Elizabeth Montgomery, O.J. Simpson, Rosalind Cash
Produced by Audrey A. Blasdel,James H. Brown,David Gerber
Music by Richard Shores
Cinematography by Al Francis
Film Editing by Ken Zemke
Casting By Sally Powers
Art Direction by Ross Bellah,Robert Peterson
Set Decoration by Richard C. Goddard
Makeup Department Ben Lane
Production Management Harry F. Hogan
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director Harry F. Hogan
Sound Department Doug Grindstaff,Don Isaacs
Special Effects by Bill Clove
Camera and Electrical Department Ron Francis
Casting Department Al Onorato
Costume and Wardrobe Department Grady Hunt
Location Management Buck Edwards
Music Department Sam E. Levin
Script and Continuity Department Larry K. Johnson
Genres Crime, Drama
Companies Columbia Pictures Television, David Gerber Productions
Countries USA
Languages English
ContentRating Not Rated
ImDbRating 6.2
ImDbRatingVotes 100
Keywords interracial romance,detective,sexual attraction,racist,extramarital affair