The Strangler (1964)

An overweight lab technician with low self esteem, brought on by his dominant mother, becomes a serial killer of female nurses.

Director:

Burt Topper

Writer:

Bill S. Ballinger

Stars:

Victor Buono, David McLean, Diane Sayer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victor Buono	...	Leo Kroll
David McLean	...	Lt. Frank Benson
Diane Sayer	...	Barbara Wells
Davey Davison	...	Tally Raymond
Baynes Barron	...	Sgt. Mack Clyde
Ellen Corby	...	Mrs. Kroll
Michael Ryan	...	Detective Mel Posner
Russ Bender	...	Dr. Clarence Sanford
Jeanne Bates	...	Clara Thomas, the Nurse
Wally Campo	...	Eggerton
Mimi Dillard	...	Thelma
Byron Morrow	...	Dr. Morton
John Yates	...	Intern
James Sikking	...	Police Sketch Artist
Robert Cranford	...	Jack Rosten

Storyline

Leo Kroll, a lab technician in a large unnamed city, is responsible for the strangulation murders of several young nurses. He feels that in some twisted way, that he is getting back at his overbearing shrew of a mother. Leo also kills the nurse who is taking care of his mother in the rest home she is staying at. As a result, Mrs. Kroll dies from a heart attack. He also kills an arcade worker whom he feels can identify him.

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Plot Keywords:

manipulation | pantyhose | police officer | stocking | showering | 

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Taglines:

Based on the terror that has shocked the nation!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Boston Strangler

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bischoff-Diamond Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Victor Buono plays the mother-fixated Leo Kroll. Psychiatrists have theorized that the Boston Strangler had a mother fixation.

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Goofs

When the police are on the way to the first murder shown in the movie, they are driving in a 1950s boxy sedan. However, when the police arrive, they are in an early-1960s era sedan.

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Crazy Credits

In the main opening titles, actor Michael Ryan has the middle initial "M" in his billing, but it is not in the full cast list in the end credits.

User Reviews

Excellent portrayal by Buono

I just saw this on TCM this morning. I agree that the other actors were quite wooden and some of the things the police overlooked (or the scriptwriter conveniently left out) were ridiculous, but Victor Buono was perfect as the killer and that is the reason to watch this film. They got much right about serial killers and their MO and "type" and Buono's ability to move from tenderness to arrogance and hatred creepiness and craziness - all with his face - was quite a thing to see. Just watch it for his portrayal. Ellen Corby as the harridan of a mother is quite fine too. The women who worked at the arcade were a bit dense, though I was glad to see the mother's nurse and the woman who worked with Buono in the lab were not. The movie is of its time, but Victor Buono is so good in this, it shouldn't be discounted.