The Bait

The same year that Angie Dickinson took on the role of Pepper Anderson, Donna Mills appeared in this carbon copy. The story is just your typical psycho on the loose film and Mills pretty much walks through it as the detective that's out to catch the lunatic. I'm wondering if Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg were knowingly trying to copy the success of "Police Woman". If they were, they did a very lousy job.

"The Bait" is an interesting idea for a film and back in 1973 it was very modern and innovative. After all, rape was hardly ever talked about and it's one of the earlier made for TV films that addresses it. Unfortunately, the script has a few holes and the star, Donna Mills, while a lovely actress was just out of her element here playing a tough cop!

When the film begins, Tracy Fleming (Mills) is an undercover cop on duty on buses. It seems that some pervs have been annoying women and she is busting these jerks. However, while these crimes might seem petty, this rookie cop soon will deal with a seriously deranged rapist--one who not only molests his victims but kills them! I was shocked when a character played by Arlene Golonka was attacked and killed by him, as she always played the sweet girl next door type. And now, Tracy is out to rid the world of this baddie.

The biggest problem I had was watching Tracy busting criminals came off as kind of cute. The thin, not at all muscular Mills just was impossible for me to believe as a tough cop. Additionally, late in the film her character seemed really dumb and ineffectual when confronted by the killer--something very inconsistent. Overall, a film that tried but just didn't quite hit the mark.

These old ABC-TV Movie of the Week thrillers are great to watch, if nothing more than being amazed by the vintage clothing, home decor and cars of the era. Since these films are actual time capsules, rather than the recreation of a specific period, just makes them more appealing as you know they are 100% accurate. No anachronisms here! This one, probably filmed sometime in 1972, is like going through a Sears catalog from that year. In addition, it also has some pretty good suspense for an early TV- movie. I had forgotten how beautiful and classy June Lockhart was, and Donna Mills is just a treat to the eye. I don't consider it a Police Woman ripoff at all. I give it 7 out of 10.

Contrary to what was posted in a previous comment, The Bait was first broadcast on March 13, 1973, more than a year and a half before Police Woman debuted in September 1974. It was actually based on a 1968 novel by former policewoman Dorothy Uhnak. Sure, it seems cheesy today -- just like all those other made-for-TV thrillers from the early 70's -- but The Bait was exciting and, with a young and super hot Donna Mills in the lead role, it definitely held your attention. I thought Donna gave a strong performance. She was effective and appealing. I'm not sure if it was in reference to this particular film, but I remember a reviewer stating that nobody does wide-eyed looks of terror as well as Donna Mills! Looking back, it's funny to see what was considered provocative at that time. The short skirts and outfits that Mills' character wore to catch the attention of the rapist-killer are pretty tame by today's standards.

I became a Donna Mills fan with "Play Misty for Me", and here working in TV she has a starring breakthrough with a fabulous performance as a lady cop. Though it didn't go to series, the show fleshes out her character and the story format/solid supporting cast that definitely merited a pickup.

Leonard Horn sustains suspense artfully, and the structure carefully injects clues, red herrings and plot twists par excellence. William Devane is strong as the adversary, but there's no doubt that such a strong character that Mills has created will prevail.

Only sad note, for me at least, is late in the show a fleeting closeup (plus that voice) identifies the allt-me great (and eccentric) character actor popping up in a pointless part as the night clerk manning the front desk of Mills' workplace building. What a shame that this great talent went unappreciated.