Christine Cromwell is an American crime drama television series that aired as a rotating element of the ABC Mystery Movie. It debuted on November 11, 1989, and ended on February 17, 1990, with four episodes presented semi-monthly.[1]

Christine Cromwell
Christine Cromwell title card
GenreCrime drama
Created byDick Wolf
Developed byMichael Duggan
Directed byHarvey Hart
E.W. Swackhamer
Leo Penn
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes4
Production
Running time120 minutes (including commercials)
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseNovember 11, 1989 (1989-11-11) –
February 17, 1990 (1990-02-17)

Premise and cast

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Christine Cromwell, portrayed by Jaclyn Smith, is a lawyer for a prestigious law firm in San Francisco with cases that involve famous, wealthy people.[2] She was valedictorian of her class in Harvard Law School and worked as a public defender for a decade.[3]

Cromwell enjoys high-society activities with her mother, Samantha (Celeste Holm) and works in the law firm with senior partner Cyrus Blain (Ralph Bellamy). Other regulars were Sarah the secretary (Rebecca Cross) and Nanny the housekeeper (Ellen Albertini).[2]

Dick Wolf was the executive producer.[1]

Reaction

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Mark Dawidziak, in an article distributed by Knight Ridder newspapers, praised the first episode's production values but described the plot as "horribly hackneyed." He added that the program went from fun in the first hour to being a dud in its conclusion.[4]

Episodes

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No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Things That Go Bump in the Night"November 11, 1989 (1989-11-11)
A friend of Christine's claims self-defense in the death of her husband, a wealthy client of the firm's.
2"Easy Come, Easy Go"December 9, 1989 (1989-12-09)
Two clients of the firm are accused of murdering a con artist who swindled a million dollars out of each of them.
3"In Vino Veritas"January 27, 1990 (1990-01-27)
A winegrower's body turns up at the 100th-anniversary pressing following a feud with his brother.
4"Only the Good Die Young"February 17, 1990 (1990-02-17)
Four members of a college tontine are murdered, leaving the three survivors to share millions.

References

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  1. ^ a b Erickson, Hal (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948–2008. McFarland. p. 57. ISBN 9780786438280. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 187. ISBN 9780786486410. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  3. ^ Zurawik, David (November 10, 1989). "After watching CC on ABC, you may bolt for CC on CBS". The Baltimore Sun. Maryland, Baltimore. p. 1 E. Retrieved 29 May 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (November 10, 1989). "Jaclyn Smith in 'Christine Cromwell on 'ABC Saturday Mystery'". The Monitor. Texas, McAllen. Knight-Ridder Newspapers. p. 36. Retrieved 29 May 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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