Dr. David Furie (Ken Clayton) is a research physicist working on a nuclear experiment when an accident happens that kills him and his assistant.
Two years later, physicist and Professor Dr. Martin Becker (Ed Nelson) is teaching physical chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley when one of his theories is challenged by a pretty woman in the lecture hall. Martin is intrigued by the pretty woman. Later he sees her at a local eatery and invites himself to sit at her table. Conversation happens and so does interest. He finds out that her name is Anne Banning (Suzanne Pleshette). The two begin dating and fall in love.
Anne’s real name is Janet Furie and is actually the widow of the scientist killed in the experiment two years ago. Anne knows that Martin was working with her husband in his research and believes that he is responsible for David’s death. Anne has a plan to get even with Martin but her feelings for him begin to get in the way. That is until, in a conversation about the accident, Martin claims that David was a hack and didn’t deserve the accolades he received. Martin is hoping to get a Nobel Prize for his work and tells Anne that David didn’t deserve it.
After that, Anne decides to continue with her plans to discredit Martin and frame him for her murder. Anne’s intricate plan works. Martin is arrested and put on trial. Despite the fact that there is no body and only circumstantial evidence, Martin is found guilty and put in prison. Anne, having been on hiatus from her archeology job since her husband’s death, returns to work.
While at work Anne, who is now back to her real name of Janet, receives a letter from a friend of hers and her husband’s who is now working in San Salvador. The friend, Dr. William Grey, states that Martin did not steal her husband’s discovery and actually committed suicide. This news sends Janet for a loop since she is the one who orchestrated the fake murder that sent Martin to prison. Now Janet believes that she must come forward and clear Martin, but there are still some loose ends that will turn everything upside down again.
“Along Came A Spider” was released in 1970 and was directed by Lee Katzin. It is a made for television American suspense thriller. The film was based on the play “Sweet Poison” by Leonard Lee.
As far as “Movies of the Week” are concerned, this one is pretty good. It may be a little farfetched and sometimes implausible but that’s what makes it fun and kept me watching. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story which makes for great drama. It starts out a bit slow, but the suspense and storyline ramp up to the point where you go along for the ride no matter what.
The movie may have been a little longer than necessary but it kept adding more context and plot devices to where it moved quicker. To enjoy the film, you really should be fond of roller coasters.