They Only Kill Their Masters (1972) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A police chief investigates a dog-blamed death and uncovers a jealous murder conspiracy hidden behind a veterinary practice.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Dog Takes the Blame

Abel returns to Eden Landing and investigates Jenny's apparent death by her pet dog. Kate's demonstration and the inconsistent injuries make Abel question the initial explanation.

Key Events

• Eden Landing — Abel returns from vacation to Eden Landing and learns of Jenny's death. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: California coastal town
• Dog Blamed For Death — Jenny is reported dead, with her Doberman blamed for attacking her. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Jenny Campbell's beachfront home
• Veterinary Examination — Abel visits the clinic where the dog was tranquilized after being found beside Jenny's body. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Veterinary clinic
• Dog Obeys Kate — Kate demonstrates that the dog responds readily to voice commands. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Veterinary clinic
• Bite Pattern Questioned — Abel questions why the injuries are on Jenny's extremities rather than her throat. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Veterinary clinic
• Autopsy Ordered — Abel orders an autopsy because the apparent dog attack does not fit the injuries. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Police investigation

Evidence Beneath the Surface

The autopsy reveals that Jenny drowned and that the dog only moved her body. Abel questions Lee and discovers troubling information about Jenny's relationships.

Key Events

• Drowning Revealed — The autopsy identifies drowning in fresh water containing salt and reveals Jenny was pregnant. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Pathology examination
• Dog Exonerated — Abel realizes the dog only pulled Jenny's dead body from the ocean. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Police investigation
• Lee Questioned — Abel questions Lee about his divorce and Jenny's relationships. Characters: Abel Marsh, Lee Campbell Location: Lee Campbell's residence
• Divorce Motive Disclosed — Lee says he divorced Jenny after she fell in love with another woman. Characters: Abel Marsh, Lee Campbell Location: Lee Campbell's residence
• Beachfront House Search — Abel returns to Jenny's house with Kate to inspect the premises. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Jenny Campbell's beachfront home
• Disinfected Bathtub — Kate identifies cleaning evidence, and Abel concludes the bathtub was likely the murder scene. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Jenny Campbell's bathroom

Love and Ashes

Abel and Kate identify the bathtub as a likely murder scene and grow romantically closer. The case becomes more dangerous when Lee is found dying in the burning house.

Key Events

• Dog Taken In — Abel takes the dog in and begins to bond with it. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Abel Marsh's home
• Romance Develops — Abel and Kate's relationship deepens, and they spend the night together. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Abel Marsh's home
• Case Authority Challenged — A senior police official questions Abel's handling of the case but leaves him in charge. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Police headquarters
• House Burns — Abel finds the house burning and Lee dying from stab wounds inside the bedroom. Characters: Abel Marsh, Lee Campbell Location: Jenny Campbell's beachfront home
• Emergency Delay Explained — A patrolman explains that emergency crews were delayed by a sports car blocking the tunnel. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Tunnel near the beachfront house
• Silent Dog Mystery — Abel wonders why the dog did not bark at the arsonist. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Abel Marsh's home

The Hidden Command

Abel studies the dog's strange behavior and begins to suspect that someone connected to the veterinary clinic knows more than they admit. Kate's knowledge of the dog's name intensifies the suspicion.

Key Events

• Silent Dog Mystery — Abel wonders why the dog did not bark at the arsonist. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Abel Marsh's home
• Attack Command Triggered — Abel taps the dog's snout without realizing he has triggered its attack command. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Abel Marsh's home
• Kate's Knowledge Exposed — Abel asks how Kate knew the dog's name, and Kate says the veterinarian told her. Characters: Abel Marsh, Kate Bingham Location: Kate Bingham's bedroom
• Veterinarian Arrested — Abel infers a long connection to the dog and arrests the veterinarian for the murders. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Veterinary clinic
• Drugged Escape — The veterinarian injects Abel with an euthanasia drug and escapes while Abel radios for help. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Veterinary clinic

Jealousy Exposed

The veterinarian escapes after drugging Abel, but Abel resumes the pursuit. Mrs. Watkins attacks him and finally confesses to killing Jenny and Lee while her husband helped conceal the crimes.

Key Events

• Hospital Recovery — Abel wakes in hospital and learns that the drug has been flushed from his system. Characters: Abel Marsh Location: Hospital
• Final Pursuit — Abel tracks down the veterinarian, but Mrs. Watkins strikes him as her husband runs outside. Characters: Abel Marsh, Mrs. Watkins Location: Veterinary clinic
• Killer Confesses — After the veterinarian is shot, Mrs. Watkins confesses to killing Jenny and Lee. Characters: Abel Marsh, Mrs. Watkins Location: Outside the veterinary clinic
• Murder Conspiracy Revealed — Mrs. Watkins explains that jealousy led her to kill Jenny and Lee, with her husband covering the crimes. Characters: Abel Marsh, Mrs. Watkins Location: Outside the veterinary clinic

Story Breakdown

• Eden Landing Setup — Abel returns to the coastal town and encounters the apparent dog attack.
  • Abel Returns Home — Abel comes back from vacation and learns about Jenny's death.
  • Dog Takes Blame — Jenny's pet dog is initially considered responsible for her death.
• First Investigation — Abel examines the dog and finds that the physical evidence does not support the initial theory.
  • Kate Tests Commands — Kate shows that the dog responds to voice commands.
  • Bite Pattern Doubts — Abel questions why the injuries are not on the throat.
• Autopsy Reversal — Medical evidence changes the case from an animal attack into a murder investigation.
  • Drowning Evidence — The autopsy identifies drowning in fresh water containing salt.
  • Dog Exonerated — Abel realizes the dog pulled the dead body from the ocean.
• Relationship Motives — Abel questions Lee and learns about Jenny's romantic history and the divorce.
  • Lee Faces Questions — Abel interviews Lee about his marriage to Jenny.
  • Divorce Secret — Lee says Jenny fell in love with another woman.
• House Crime Scene — Abel and Kate inspect Jenny's home and identify evidence of a concealed murder.
  • Bathtub Disinfected — Industrial disinfectant suggests the bathtub was cleaned after the crime.
  • Romance Deepens — Abel and Kate become romantically involved during the investigation.
• Fire And Suspicion — The murder investigation escalates when Lee dies in a deliberate house fire.
  • Lee Dies Burning — Abel finds Lee dying from stab wounds in the burning house.
  • Tunnel Blocked — A sports car delays emergency crews by blocking the tunnel.
• Hidden Dog Command — The dog's unexplained behavior and Kate's knowledge point Abel toward the veterinary clinic.
  • Silent At Arson — Abel wonders why the dog did not bark at the arsonist.
  • Kate Knows Name — Kate struggles to explain how she knew the dog's name.
• Veterinary Escape — Abel arrests the veterinarian, but the suspect uses an animal drug to escape.
  • Arrest At Clinic — Abel arrests the veterinarian after connecting him to the dog.
  • Euthanasia Drug — The veterinarian injects Abel and escapes while Abel radios for help.
• Final Confession — The pursuit ends with a violent confrontation and the revelation of the jealous killer.
  • Mrs Watkins Attacks — Mrs. Watkins strikes Abel as the veterinarian runs outside.
  • Jealousy Revealed — Mrs. Watkins confesses to killing Jenny and Lee while her husband covered the crimes.

Directed by

James Goldstone

Key Cast

• James Garner — Abel Marsh
• Katharine Ross — Kate Bingham
• Hal Holbrook — Dr. Warren G. Watkins
• Harry Guardino — Capt. Daniel Streeter
• June Allyson — Mrs. Watkins