A Killing in a Small Town
| Company type | Television film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Stephen Gyllenhaal (director), Cynthia Cidre (screenplay) |
| Products | Crime drama television film |
A Killing in a Small Town, alternatively titled Evidence of Love, is a 1990 American Crime drama television film helmed by director Stephen Gyllenhaal with a screenplay by Cynthia Cidre. Adapted from the 1984 true crime book Evidence of Love authored by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, the film features performances by Barbara Hershey and Brian Dennehy. It debuted on CBS on May 22, 1990. Hershey earned the 1990 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role; additionally, the production garnered three further Emmy nods, including nominations for Dennehy’s supporting performance, directing, and Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special.
Plot
Candy Morrison, a well-regarded member of her church community, finishes leading a children’s Bible study before heading to her friend Peggy Blankenship’s residence to collect a swimsuit intended for Peggy’s daughter Meg. Candy returns to the church late without providing any explanation.
That evening, while Peggy’s husband Stan is away on a business trip, he grows worried after repeated unanswered calls to his wife. Neighbors discover bloodstains inside the Blankenship household and find Peggy’s severely mutilated body in the utility room—she had been struck more than forty times with an axe. Fortunately, Peggy’s infant daughter remains unharmed.
Law enforcement interviews Stan, who admits to having an affair with Candy. Candy confirms that the relationship ended by mutual agreement; however, discrepancies in her account and bloodied fingerprints found at the crime scene prompt investigators to suspect her involvement. Candy and her spouse retain attorney Ed Reivers.
Candy admits to Ed that she killed Peggy in self-defense and turns herself in to authorities. To prepare a defense strategy, Ed arranges for Candy to undergo hypnosis, which uncovers a repressed traumatic event from her childhood involving her mother silencing her during a distressing emergency room incident.
Throughout the trial, Ed expresses concern that Candy’s unemotional demeanor may adversely affect the outcome. Candy provides testimony detailing the murder: after requesting that Meg stay overnight, she acknowledges the affair with Stan when confronted by Peggy. Peggy returns wielding an axe and demands Candy stay away from Stan. In the ensuing confrontation within the utility room, Peggy attacks Candy with the axe; during their violent struggle, Candy gains control and retaliates with multiple blows before taking a shower and leaving.
To provoke an emotional response, Ed introduces the axe as evidence during court proceedings, prompting Candy’s hysterical reaction. She is ultimately acquitted, causing shock among those present in the courtroom. Following her exoneration, Candy faces challenges as she attempts to restore normalcy in her life.
Cast
- Barbara Hershey portraying Candy Morrison (inspired by Candy Montgomery)
- Lee Garlington as Peggy Blankenship
- Brian Dennehy playing Ed Reivers
- Richard Gilliland as Ed Morrison
- John Terry in the role of Stan Blankenship
- Hal Holbrook as Dr. Beardsley
Production
Principal filming locations for significant scenes—including both interior and exterior shots of Candy Morrison’s residence—were situated in Plano, Texas.