Who did it? The husband? The housekeeper? Or someone else? I don't understand. The ending left me hanging.
shareThe Husband did it............there were several clues such as the phone line he cut and his not really trying to look for lines being out cause as he walked right by it.
That's why he charged her at the end bringing about the ending........i have to get my DVD of this movie and watch it soon.
I felt confused at the ending,too. It still could have been the housekeeper (although the cutter of the phone line was wearing a coat similar to the one the husband wore). The ending leaves it unclear if he was in collusion with the housekeeper or acting alone, or it was another party. It is not a definite "the butler did it!"
shareIt was the husband--in the scene where he's finished changing in the bedroom and is hanging up his wet clothes, the clippers he used to cut the phone line fall out of his pocket and he picks them up and hides them in a drawer. I think the housekeeper knew what happened and resolved to protect him.
share***spoilers***
Yes, it was clearly Ben (the husband) who killed Susan. He was the only one with motive. She was divorcing him and leaving him with nothing. He had no job anymore (I think as I haven't seen it in a while). Of course, he had to get Kate on his side but she figured out that something is not right, leading to the film's climax.
As other posters pointed out, the clippers used to cut the phone lines fell out of his pocket, he made no real effort to deal with the fact that the phone was dead, etc.
As to whether the housekeeper was party to it, it's certainly possible. Susan disliked her and the feeling was mutual.
I must say, I love the TV movies of this period. Everything was about atmosphere and suspense, it was more subtle and psychological, which is the best way to scare audiences.
I completely agree, Noirdame (what a name for a dame!). I love this movie. I love how Elizabeth Montgomery does her little "face" when she lies about it being an urgent call (it's really not a lie, but she doesn't realize it yet). I love how her sister answers her phone with a high pitch "Hello!" That part reminds me of how adorable Olivia Hussey is in BLACK CHRISTMAS. I think this TV movie may have influenced the film BLACK CHRISTMAS. Both are scintillating entertainment.
shareI love the original "Black Christmas" and you could very well be right!
No, it wasn't "clearly" the husband. All of the people here asking who did it reflect that it wasn't clear. Nor was he the only one with a motive (the cleaning woman with the "Rebecca"-like obsession with the husband, her jealousy, the fact she was fired and the fact her favorite guy was going to lose "everything" in a divorce, means she had several motives.) Plus, murderers don't need a motive.
Also, I have no idea what the cleaning lady said to him at the end (everybody was throwing back scotch at the turn of a hat so maybe she was drunk). So that added to the confusion.
She said Don't Mr.Chapel i called the Police.
shareThe only confusuion is why people cannot pay attention when they watch something. There was nothing confusing about this film or e ending. It's clear to anyone with eyes that the husband killed her. As to the final comment from the housekeeper...again, pay attention. She says, "Let her go! I called the police."
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