"A police detective's investigation of a prostitute's murder points to his best friend."
Sidney Poitier
as Virgil Tibbs
Martin Landau
as Logan Sharpe
Barbara McNair
as Valerie Tibbs
Anthony Zerbe
as Rice Weedon
Ed Asner
as Woody Garfield
Jeff Corey
as Captain Marden
Norma Crane
as Marge Garfield
Juano Hernández
as Mealie Williamson
David Sheiner
as Lt. Herb Kenner
Beverly Todd
as Puff
Ted Gehring
as Inspector Deutsch
Linda Towne
as Joy Sturges
Garry Walberg
as Medical Examiner
George Spell
as Andy Tibbs
Wanda Spell
as Ginger Tibbs
John Hillerman
as Reporter (uncredited)
Hilly Hicks
as Freddie (uncredited)
John Alvin
Ted Christy
as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)
Vic Christy
Michael L. Davis
as Police Sergeant at Campaign HQ (uncredited)
Dick Dial
as Carson (uncredited)
Mickey Golden
as Pool Player (uncredited)
Don Hanmer
as Pusher (uncredited)
Carol Henry
Henry Leff
Martin Strader
Kevin G. Tracey
Erick Vinther
as Cameraman (uncredited)
Al White
as Spectator Outside Church (uncredited)
Ted White
as Hood at Pool Hall (uncredited)
Gordon Douglas
Director
Quincy Jones
Original Music Composer
John Ball
Characters
Lynn Stalmaster
Casting
Herbert Hirschman
Producer
Alan Trustman
Screenplay
Gerald Perry Finnerman
Director of Photography
James R. Webb
Bud Molin
Editor
Edward G. Boyle
Set Decoration
Walter Mirisch
Executive Producer
Addison Hehr
Art Direction
Bob Herron
Stunts