Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) is a hammy theatre manager who is also a psychotic killer who uses various disguises – including a priest, a plumber, a gay hairdresser, a police officer and a chef – to trick and strangle his female victims, leaving behind his trademark: a kiss painted in lipstick on the victim’s forehead.
Single and flustered NYPD detective Mo Brummel (George Segal) starts to get phone calls from the strangler commenting on his ineffectual investigations and builds a strange alliance as a result. Meanwhile, Mo’s overbearing live-in mother (Eileen Heckart) wishes her son would be a successful Jewish doctor like his big brother.
Kate Palmer (Lee Remick) is a swinging, hip tour guide who witnesses Gill leaving her dead neighbour’s apartment and sets her sights on detective Brummel.
The Paramount film has trouble deciding if it’s a black comedy or a thriller and flips between humour and some genuinely chilling murder scenes.
Christopher Gill
Rod Steiger Kate Palmer
Lee Remick Morris “Mo” Brummel
George Segal Mrs Brummel
Eileen Heckart Inspector Haines
Murray Hamilton Mr Kupperman
Michael Dunn Alma Mulloy
Martine Bartlett Belle Poppie
Barbara Baxley Mrs Fitts
Irene Dailey Sylvia Poppie
Doris Roberts Mrs Himmel
Ruth White Detective Monaghan
Val Bisoglio Lieutenant Dawson
David Doyle Sadie
Kim August
Director
Jack Smight
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