Truly Dreadful Film

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I was very surprised when I found the web page for "Linda" on IMDb. Usually, IMDb shows a photo from the movie or a poster but this time here's a poster from some porno film with a naked brunette on it! This has absolutely NOTHING to do with this made for TV film...nothing!This film begins on a secluded California beach. Linda and and Jeff (Stella Stevens and John Saxon) are shooting at beer cans as Linda's husband, Paul, and Jeff's wife watch. Then, out of the blue, Linda turns the gun on the wife and Jeff---killing them both! Paul takes the gun away from her and then phones the police to tell them his wife murdered the two folks. When the police arrive, however, they only find the dead woman and no beer cans. A few moments later, Linda and Jeff come walking down the beach with a stringer of fish-- and they say they have no idea what's happened. The police think Paul is nuts and must have killed the lady--and Linda and Jeff play it up! Obviously this is a set-up but will the police figure this out or is Jeff destined to be some inmate's new love interest?This is a very good thriller. It's well written and has a nice payoff. In fact, it's very good for a made for TV film and holds up very well today thanks to excellent writing and acting.

Saw this when it first aired. Faithful adaptation of a novella by John D. MacDonald (creator of Travis McGee), concerning a very clever and cold-blooded pair of murderers -- esp. Stella Stevens' character, the mastermind. The crime shocks you from the start, and what follows for the innocent party is even more startling. A nearly perfect frame nearly works, and the way things unravel is intelligent and watchable. There are fine performances all around from solid, reliable actors, esp. John McIntyre as a crusty lawyer and John Saxon as a man over his head, and Ed Nelson strikes the perfect balance between horrified astonishment and clear-thinking determination. One of the better made-for-TV works of the time. But the poster above, ostensibly from this film, must be from some other production with the same name; it has NOTHING to do with this one!

Being lucky enough to be a local coordinator, aide and extra driver living in Carmel, CA during the location set building and filming of "Linda" was a great experience. It allowed me extra insight into the story itself as well as how the cast and crew perceived it and played to it. The main locations included a deserted beach down the coast south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and in Watsonville... so the beautiful scenery and interesting buildings of coastal central California adds a lot of eye appeal to this interesting and well done made for TV film. The well rounded cast and crew that was selected for "Linda", and the interaction between them was very productive and enjoyable for all, both in front of and behind the camera. That unity carries well into the final product's quality and is evident in it. My rating is probably biased for sure, but getting a chance to see this film will be time well spent for you. I'll never forget the beach football games with cast and crew to pass the time between takes and set changes either. Nor meeting and working with a real down to earth gentleman like John Saxon and the very sexy Stella Stevens especially. To the cast and crew if you see this, always remember the artichokes!

After seeing "The Poseidon Adventure" in 1972, I had a new favorite actress: I thought Stella Stevens nearly walked off with the picture. Unfortunately, Stevens' next role as the title character in this cheaply-made movie-of-the-week is a letdown for her fans. Crime-drama gives Stella the short shrift in favor of Ed Nelson playing her husband, whom she has apparently framed for murder. It all begins when Linda guns down both a female friend and the woman's husband on the beach; Linda's spouse goes for the police but, when the cops finally arrive, it's a different situation. Adapted from a well-regarded book by John D. MacDonald, the movie stumbles by keeping selfish, scheming Linda on the sidelines while disgusted hubby fights to clear his name. Stella Stevens is appealing as hell, but sloppy director Jack Smight doesn't recognize this. By keeping his hot star on ice--waiting around for the sluggish beachfront police to catch onto her--he stalls nearly all interest in "Linda".