McNaughton's Daughter

This was, I guess, a pilot for a series called "McNaughton's Daughter" that didn't make it. Susan Clark plays an assistant district attorney who is, as the title suggests, the daughter of a prominent (defense) lawyer. She is assigned the case of a Mother Theresa type who raises money for the poor in Africa, and in fact, has adopted a child from there, Aprile. However, this sainted woman is now accused of murdering someone in her organization. Clark does not believe a jury will convict.

The plot centers around two strong women, Clark and the icon, well played by Vera Miles. Clark is attempting to live her own life, which draws some disapproval: she has a live-in boyfriend, Bohemian friends, and she's on the side of the prosecution. Miles may be a saint, or she may be a fraud and a murderer.

It's an interesting story, with nice appearances by Ralph Bellamy, Ricardo Montalban, and Louise Latham. There were many such shows bouncing around in the '70s; I suppose that's why this one didn't take off. But Clark is an excellent actress and this pilot certainly had the benefit of a good script and a strong cast.