Sam McNeill (Andy Griffith) is the sheriff in the quiet little California mountain town of Eagle Lake. While investigating the defacing of the town sign he receives a call from the office secretary, Doris (Louise Latham). She reports that one of the town residents, Elaine Carter (Devra Korwin) was found shot to death in her home. The shooter used a shotgun and wrote “The First” in red spray paint outside her window. Elaine’s husband, Bill (Tim O’Connor) was away at the time. Something many people in town were aware of. Bill becomes the primary suspect.
Sam’s investigation brings him to question a local ski bum named Dave Michaels (Nick Nolte). It seems that Dave and Elaine had an affair sometime in the past. Sam also finds out that the Carters had a young girl living with them a year or so ago. The girl’s name was Cynthia Howe (Elayne Heilveil). Before Sam can investigate further, Dave Michaels is murdered. In the snow is written in red spray paint “The Second”. With two unsolved murders in the quaint little ski town, Sam’s job is made harder by the town council, seeing dollars disappear with the disappearing tourists.
The local doctor, Dr. Bill Hammond (John Larch) tells Sam that Cynthia Howe’s mother died a couple years back and that her father was not mentioned on her birth records. He also learns that Cynthia had been pregnant, with Dave’s baby, when she disappeared. Once again, before Sam can go any further, there is another murder. Reverend Phillips (David Frankham) is shot and a red spray-painted message on his door says, “The Third”. Then Sam learns that Cynthia committed suicide. Sam now believes that Cynthia’s biological father may be responsible for the murders. Sam thinks that he may know who the killer is, but another sudden death sends him in the wrong direction.
“Winter Kill” was released in 1974 and was directed by Jud Taylor. It is an American made-for-television mystery thriller. Produced by Andy Griffith Enterprises and MGM television, the movie was supposed to be a pilot for a television series called “Adams of Eagle Lake”, with Griffith’s character named Sam Adams, but the series itself only had two episodes. The film was modeled after the 1972 movie “They Only Kill Their Masters” which starred James Garner as well as the 1973 film “Isn’t It Shocking” with Alan Alda in the lead role. Griffith once again tried to revive the small-town sheriff concept in 1977 with “The Girl in the Empty Grave” and “Deadly Game”. This time the sheriff’s name was Abel Marsh.
The movie is sprinkled with many really good character actors. Combined with a good story and some nicely placed red herrings, the movie ends up being really good.
There was a lot of talk from people saying that Griffith was trying to reboot his Andy Taylor role. Perhaps, but the genres are different. Taylor was a home spun good ol’ boy from North Carolina and the show was about a widower sheriff and his everyday life. Here the murders are prominent, and although Griffith is still a sheriff, the emphasis is on the mystery.