Lady Ice

Lady Ice

Year: 1973

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Tom Gries

ThrillerCrimeDrama

SHE wanted a fortune in jewels … HE wanted her! An insurance investigator romances a wealthy young beauty when he suspects she may be involved in fencing stolen jewels.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lady Ice 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 – Lady Ice (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lady Ice (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

Set in the 1960s, the film channels the era's stylish crime thriller vibe with sharp fashion and brisk pacing. The period mood supports a web of deceit, cross-border scheming, and insurance-related plots. It reflects a time when sophisticated heists and backroom deals were a staple of crime cinema.

Location

Miami, Florida, Chicago, Illinois, Nassau, Bahamas

The story begins in a Miami hotel room that becomes the command center for the initial confrontation. Much of the tension unfolds around a garage in another city and Paula's home as Hammon's scheme takes shape. The action then shifts to Chicago and finally to Nassau, where the caper widens and the stakes escalate across multiple locales.

🌆 Urban crime setting 🏛️ Government investigation 🏖️ Exotic locations

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:16

Main Characters – Lady Ice (1973)

Meet the key characters of Lady Ice (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ford Pierce (Robert Duvall)

A Department of Justice official who oversees the investigation into the alleged jewel thefts. He methodically pieces together the connections between Paula, Eddie, and Booth to build a case. He exudes control and uses official channels to pressure suspects, illustrating the film's themes of power and manipulation.

🧭 Investigation 🏛️ Authority 📜 Bureaucracy

Andy Hammon (Donald Sutherland)

An insurance investigator from Chicago who appears suave but is orchestrating a multi-jewel scheme. He uses his investigative persona to manipulate Paula and Brinker, while pursuing a larger payoff. He negotiates deals, evades capture, and shows a willingness to betray allies to secure the jewels.

🧭 Charmer 💼 Mastermind 🕵️‍♂️ Deception

Paula Booth (Jennifer O'Neill)

Wealthy young woman who initially resents Hammon's advances but becomes entangled in his plan. She is cautious, skeptical of criminal schemes, and negotiates for immunity and safety. Her choices drive the plot and reveal a pragmatic, survival-oriented side.

💎 Wealth 🎭 Duplicity 💰 Opportunity

Paul Booth (Patrick Magee)

Paula's father, a wealthy businessman whose unexplained wealth draws attention from the investigation. He fires Hammon from the garage job and becomes a central figure under scrutiny for possible money matters. His status and secrecy heighten the stakes for everyone involved.

🏛️ Wealth 💼 Businessman 🔎 Scrutiny

Eddie Stell (Jon Cypher)

Paula's contact within the Chicago operation; a loyal but dangerous partner who coordinates the sale of the stolen gems. His actions drive pursuit and escalate risk, offering constant tension as loyalties shift.

🔎 Criminal contact 💣 Violent 🕵️‍♂️ Double-dealer

Peter Brinker (Eric Braeden)

A wealthy jewelry dealer who negotiates deals and helps move the stolen gems. He collaborates with Paula and Eddie to move the jewels and later attempts to claim the insurance money after being robbed. His role anchors the mercantile side of the caper.

🧩 Conspirator 💼 Dealer 💸 Fraud

Tony Lacava (Buffy Dee)

A slick fence known as 'The Fat Man' who tries to move the stolen necklace and becomes a catalyst for the investigation. He is killed early in the plot, triggering further complications and torpedoing one strand of the operation.

💼 Fence 🗡️ Catalyst ⚰️ Victim

Jeweler (Zvee Scooler)

A minor jeweler involved in the movement of gems within the criminal network. He represents the everyday trades that underpin the caper and helps connect the thieves to the market.

💎 Jeweler 🧾 Part of the scheme

Jeweler (Sol Frieder)

A second jeweler who participates in the supply chain surrounding the stolen gems. His role underscores how many hands contribute to illicit profit in the jewelry trade.

💎 Jeweler 🧾 Part of the scheme

Robber #1 (Charles J. Swepeniser)

One of the gang members who carries out the initial robbery and helps set the plot in motion. His involvement marks the start of a chain of crimes that ripple through every location the story visits.

🗡️ Robber 💰 Criminal

Robber #2 (Edward Biagianti)

Another member of the burglary crew who teams with the group to move the jewels. His role contributes to the cross-city nature of the crime and the rising tension as the plan unfolds.

🗡️ Robber 💰 Criminal

Head Matron (Berenice Clayre)

A cast member credited as Head Matron; appears in a supporting capacity within the film’s network of locations. Her scenes add to the film's atmosphere and procedural texture, without being a central driver of the plot.

🏥 Supporting role 🎭 Minor part

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:16

Major Themes – Lady Ice (1973)

Explore the central themes of Lady Ice (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Deception

Deception drives the entire plot as Hammon hides his true role from Paula and others. Paula herself is torn between suspicion and temptation, testing the trust she places in those around her. The characters repeatedly use information as a weapon to manipulate outcomes. The theme underscores how appearances can mask dangerous intentions.

🧾 Fraud

The central crime revolves around stolen jewelry, recutting, and an elaborate insurance ploy. Brinker and the others operate within a supply chain that exploits legal channels and loopholes. The plot twists hinge on fake movements of gems and the illusion of legitimate deals. Fraud here is both a tactic and a consequence, driving the narrative forward.

💰 Greed and Escape

Across multiple locations, characters chase a fortune with little regard for consequences. The pursuit is marked by double-crosses, shifting allegiances, and last-minute gambits. Greed pushes everyone toward risky decisions and precarious bargains, culminating in a tense pursuit. The theme ties money to risk, revealing how ambition can erode trust.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:16

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Lady Ice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Lady Ice, 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.

Lady Ice Summary

Lady Ice Timeline

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Lady Ice Timeline

More About Lady Ice

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