In the Cool of the Day

Susan Ertz's novel of romantic intrigue in scenic Athens comes to the big screen under the stewardship of John Houseman. Producer Houseman elevates the story above mere sudsier status by recruiting a powerhouse quartet of players to play the intertwined couple: A young Jane Fonda (in her third motion picture performance), Angela Lansbury, Peter Finch and Arthur Hill (fresh from his award winning run in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf). Fonda plays Christine Bonner, the malady ridden bride who feels herself wilting under the overprotective care of her doting husband, Sam (Arthur Hill). Sam enlists the aid of his publisher friend Murray to save his marriage and help heal his wife. Unfortunately for the Bonners, Murray has been trapped in a loveless marriage with his wife, Sybil (Angela Lansbury), for quite some time and sparks fly between Murray and Christine. A romance blossoms that threatens to have both touching and tragic results.