Isn’t It Shocking?

Isn’t It Shocking?

Year: 1973

Runtime: 73 mins

Language: English

Director: John Badham

MysteryTV MovieHorror

A small-town sheriff is confronted with the deaths of local senior citizens and strange goings-on in his town.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Isn’t It Shocking? yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Isn’t It Shocking? (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Isn’t It Shocking? (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 20th century

The timeframe appears contemporary to the film’s production, placing events in a late 20th-century setting. A striking link to the past is the 1928 graduating class, shown through a yearbook that ties present victims to former classmates. The small-town pace and modern policing emphasize a present-day context where old secrets can resurface with new violence.

Location

New England town, Mrs. Tate's motel, isolated house in the woods

Set in a small New England town, the story centers on locations like the town police station, Mrs. Tate's motel, and an isolated house in the woods. The motel serves as a social hub where secrets surface and tension builds. The investigation moves through the town’s intimate streets and surrounding woods, highlighting a sense of isolation and proximity among residents.

🏙️ New England town 🏨 Motel setting 🌲 Rural woods

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:28

Main Characters – Isn’t It Shocking? (1973)

Meet the key characters of Isn’t It Shocking? (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Daniel Barnes (Alan Alda)

A principled, calm, small-town police chief who leads the investigation while navigating a secret romance with Mrs. Tate. His dedication to duty clashes with personal desires, testing his judgment and resolve. He uses methodical reasoning to connect clues from the 1928 class to current murders.

👮 Police Chief 💔 Affair

Mrs. Tate (Patricia Quinn)

A motel owner who pursues a relationship with Barnes and hopes he will move in with her and her children. Her role blends warmth with the town’s underlying secrets, making her a focal point of emotional tension. Her actions reflect the pressure to settle down in a community wary of change.

🏨 Motel Owner ❤️ Love Interest

Blanche (Louise Lasser)

The police receptionist who assists Barnes by digging into records and the yearbook. She provides steady support and practical insight that helps uncover connections to the 1928 graduating class. Her collaboration illustrates the quiet, essential teamwork in small-town policing.

🧭 Assistant 🗂️ Helper

Lemuel Lovell (Will Geer)

The coroner who theorizes a defibrillator is being used to induce heart attacks. He and his daughter Doc Lovell contribute the scientific angle to the investigation, anchoring the case in medical realism. His measured, analytical approach helps frame the killer’s methods and motive.

⚖️ Coroner 🧠 Analytical

Doc Lovell (Dorothy Tristan)

The coroner’s daughter who collaborates with the investigation, providing medical and analytical insight. She adds a professional perspective that aids in interpreting the killings. Her involvement underscores the town’s reliance on expertise to solve complex crimes.

🩺 Doctor 🧠 Analytical

Justin Oates (Edmond O'Brien)

A surviving member of the Class of ’28 who emerges as the primary suspect. His past humiliation at a party becomes the trigger for the alleged violent acts. The investigation gradually reveals how trauma and revenge drive his actions.

🕳️ Suspect 🧠 Calculating

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:28

Major Themes – Isn’t It Shocking? (1973)

Explore the central themes of Isn’t It Shocking? (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Mystery

A calculated killer uses modern means to strike at a close-knit community, turning a peaceful town into a crime scene. The investigation hinges on connecting disparate deaths to a single 1928 class, weaving past and present together. Suspense builds as the detective assembles clues, uncovers motives, and traps the killer.

❤️ Romance

Romantic entanglement between the police chief and Mrs. Tate complicates professional duties and personal loyalties. The affair introduces tension between secrecy and the demand for duty, influencing decisions about marriage and stability. Personal relationships become both leverage and vulnerability within the murder investigation.

🧠 Trauma

A traumatic past event at a surprise party spurs the killer’s actions, showing how humiliation can seed long-term violence. The investigation reveals psychological scars and the way trauma shapes behavior and motive. The film explores how unresolved memories in a small town can erupt into deadly consequences.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:28

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Isn’t It Shocking?

Don't stop at just watching — explore Isn’t It Shocking? in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Isn’t It Shocking? is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Isn’t It Shocking? Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Isn’t It Shocking?, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Isn’t It Shocking? Summary

Isn’t It Shocking? Timeline

Track the full timeline of Isn’t It Shocking? with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Isn’t It Shocking? Timeline

More About Isn’t It Shocking?

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Isn’t It Shocking?: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Isn’t It Shocking?