In his first film as director, Clint Eastwood Takes the bold decision to cast himself, as protagonist, against type. Eastwood's Dave Garner, late night DJ on local radio in Eastwood's real life home patch of Carmel, is not a particularly nice man. Given to self gratification without any consideration for the feelings of those he uses, it is poetic justice of a kind which finds him at the receiving end of unhinged retribution care of casual one-night stand Evelyn (Jessica Walter, gorgeous, sexy, and seriously scary). Factor in his attempts to rescue the relationship he damaged with The One That Got Away (Donna Mills) and that's about it for the plot.

Eastwood had, by this time, spent a long time in front of the camera with some of the best directors in the business, so it's no real surprise that the direction here is as good as it is (and it's no fluke either, as his subsequent career has proved). First act exposition is laid out clearly, second act establishment of the primary conflict is involving, and the third act is full of screamingly effective suspense. This is a film by a man who knows absolutely what he is up to.

And it's one of the best thrillers of the 70s.