The Golden Gate Murders

The Golden Gate Murders is a 1979 American TV movie. It was the sole television credit for executive producer Carl Foreman who had a long track record in feature films as a writer and producer.

It received theatrical release in some territories under the title Specter on the Bridge.

Premise
A detective and a nun, Sister Benecia, investigate the death of a priest on the Golden Gate Bridge. They refuse to believe it is a suicide.

Cast

 * David Janssen as Detective Sergeant Paul Silver
 * Susannah York as Sister Benecia
 * Paul Coufos as Johnny Butler
 * Tim O'Connor as Captain Dan Bradley
 * Lloyd Bochner as Dr Hamill
 * Kim Hunter as Sister Superior
 * Alan Fudge as Sergeant Mcnally
 * Kenneth Tigar as Father O'Brien
 * Regis Cordic as Father John Thomas
 * Sandy Ward as George Walker
 * Richard O'Brien as Bridge Foreman
 * Richard Bull as Deputy Coroner
 * Lee Paul as Willie Peterson
 * Jon Lormer as Archbishop
 * Jason Wingreen as Larkin
 * Hank Brandt as Detective
 * Byron Morrow as Chief Sullivan
 * Michael O'Dwyer as Father Connelly
 * Olive Bernhart as Sister Teresa

Production
Writer David Kinghorn got the idea while constantly looking at the Golden Gate Bridge from a hospital room when recovering from an accident. It was his first script to be filmed. It was also the first telemovie from executive producer Carl Foreman who said "I'm getting into television for the education. I want to learn the ground rules for television and there's no better time to learn than now." It was Susannah York's American television debut.

Filming began in early January 1979 under the title Specter on the Bridge. The movie was shot in Los Angeles and on location in San Francisco over a three week period.

Foreman says the director did a cut of the film then the producer but both were too long so he did one.

Reception
The Los Angeles Times called it "great fun to watch". The Californian said "suspense is kept to a minimum."

Foreman intended to make more television shows. However this would be his sole television credit.