| Genre: | Drama Thriller |
| Screenplay: | William Hanley |
| Director: | James Steven Sadwith |
| Starring: | Brian Dennehy Cloris Leachman Marcia Gay Harden Chris Cooper John Anderson Ken Jenkins |
| Theme Music Composer: | Patrick Williams |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Executive Producer: | John F. Roach Freyda Rothstein |
| Producer: | Michael Biber Jeffrey C. Hogue |
| Location: | Elgin, Texas Bastrop, Texas |
| Editor: | Scott Vickey |
| Cinematography: | Robert Draper |
| Runtime: | 90 minutes |
| Company: | Force Ten Productions |
| Network: | NBC |
In Broad Daylight is a 1991 American made-for-television thriller drama film about the life of Ken McElroy, the town bully of Skidmore, Missouri who became known for his unsolved murder.[1] McElroy was fictionalized as the character Len Rowan, portrayed by Brian Dennehy.[2] The film is based on Harry N. MacLean's nonfiction book of the same name.[3]
Based on the true events in Skidmore, Missouri in 1981, the film centers around the town dealing with violent bully Len Rowan (Brian Dennehy). After a confrontation at a local grocery, Rowan begins stalking the owner Ruth Westerman (Cloris Leachman) and her husband Wes. The harassment culminates with Rowan's shooting Wes and claiming self defense, while standing trial. Through a series of legal maneuvers, Rowan prolongs his freedom for over a year, all the while continuing to harass anyone in the town whom he feels is a threat—including police. After he violates the orders of his appeal, the town decides to meet and figure out how to deal with him.
The film was released on VHS in Canada and the UK, and on laserdisc for Asian markets. It remains unreleased on DVD.