The Zodiac Killer (1971)

The San Francisco area is beset by a series of seemingly random murders without motive or pattern. The police are taunted by phone calls and letters. Could the maniac be the violent, truck ... See full summary »

Director:

Tom Hanson

Writers:

Ray Cantrell (screenplay), Manny Cardoza (screenplay)

Stars:

Hal Reed, Bob Jones, Ray Lynch

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hal Reed	...	Jerry
Bob Jones	...	Grover
Ray Lynch	...	Sgt. Pittman
Tom Pittman	...	Officer Heller
Mary Darrington	...	First Murder
Frank Sanabek	...	Joe
Ed Quigley	...	Tony
Bertha Dahl	...	Mrs. Crocker
Dion Marinkovich	...	Helen
Doodles Weaver	...	Doc (as Doddles Weaver)
Gloria Gunn	...	Marilyn
Richard Styles	...	Judd
Manny Cardoza	...	Hippy (as Manny Cordoza)
Norma Takaki	...	Lakey
Donna Register	...	Donna

Storyline

The San Francisco area is beset by a series of seemingly random murders without motive or pattern. The police are taunted by phone calls and letters. Could the maniac be the violent, truck driver, or the seemingly mild-mannered mailman, or even a cop?

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Plot Keywords:

letter | murder | psycho killer | gun | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

He may be a stranger... a friend... or the quiet guy who lives next door.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Zodiak Killer

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer/Actor Anthony Begonia's parents were classmates of one of the victims.

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Quotes

Doc: I like 'em plump and juicy and dumb!

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Connections

Version of The Zodiac (2005)

User Reviews

sleaze-driven non-account of famed serial killer

A shoddy Poverty Row production made to cash in on the real-life serial killer who called himself Zodiac and paralyzed the San Francisco Bay Area with fear for years.

In this illusory concoction, the killer's identity is no mystery, as we are introduced formally to him as a seemingly mild-mannered mail carrier who loves his pet guinea pigs and occasionally worships at a Satanic altar in his apartment.

Despite some intermittent chuckles of the so-bad-it's-funny variety, this film actually delivers at moments, and presents some shocking and surprisingly violent murder scenarios...this might actually be worth a look to a few patient crime/thriller enthusiasts, but don't expect a fact-based story.

4.5/10