To Catch a Killer (1992)

"To Catch a Killer" tells the true gruesome story of John Wayne Gacy - a good friend and helpful neighbour, a great child entertainer, a respectful businessman, and a violent serial killer ... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Till

Writer:

Jud Kinberg

Stars:

Brian Dennehy, Michael Riley, Margot Kidder

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Dennehy	...	John Wayne Gacy
Michael Riley	...	Joe Kozenczak
Margot Kidder	...	Rachel Grayson
Meg Foster	...	Attorney Carlson
Martin Julien	...	Koslo
Scott Hylands	...	Paxton
David Eisner	...	Williams
John Boylan	...	Atkins
Tony De Santis	...	DeMarco (as Tony DeSantis)
Mark Humphrey	...	King
Gary Reineke	...	Petrie
Tim Progosh	...	Morris
Danny Pawlick	...	Santori
Bruce Ramsay	...	Bragg
Brenda Bazinet	...	Alice Pearson

Storyline

"To Catch a Killer" tells the true gruesome story of John Wayne Gacy - a good friend and helpful neighbour, a great child entertainer, a respectful businessman, and a violent serial killer who raped and murdered over 30 young boys.

---

Plot Keywords:

serial murderer | serial killer | psycho killer | psycho | cruelty | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jagt den Killer

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Creative Entertainment Group,Libra Pictures,Telestories Entertainment Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

178 min (video) 182 min (video) 180 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Like John Wayne Gacy, Brian Dennehy is a very burly man. However in real-life Dennehy is much taller than the real-life John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was only 5'8" while Brian Dennehy stands at a solid 6'2".

---

Goofs

A Ryne Sandberg Cubs poster is hanging on the wall. At the time of the murders, Sandberg was with the Philadelphia Phillies. He didn't come to the Cubs until 1982.

---

Quotes

John Wayne Gacy: [as Paxton sits at his table] Wait a minute, who the hell are you?
Paxton: [gestures to DeMarco and King] I'm their boss. I bring you regards, from John Miklovich... said he worked for you.
John Wayne Gacy: I don't remember anybody with a name like that, do you?
[Koslo shakes his head]
Paxton: That's funny, he described you perfectly: loud, big belly. Waiter! What are you drinking, John?
John Wayne Gacy: [snatches pad and pencil from waiter] Who the hell do you think you're talking to? Give me that thing. I want your name and shield number right ...
[...]

---

Connections

Version of Gacy (2003)

User Reviews

Dennehy is outstanding

This is a top-flight procedural, based on how one persistent cop finally captured John Wayne Gacy, but what really makes it stand out from the crowd is Brian Dennehy's outstanding portrayal of Gacy. Dennehy has immense charm, but here he shows he can turn on a dime an convert it instantly into stomach-churning menace. There is one scene in which Dennehy shows Gacy's dark side starting to come out at an inappropriate moment, and then catching himself -- it is one of the finest pieces of acting I have ever seen anywhere. The look of repressed, murderous lust appearing on his fact and then being put back in the box is something I'll never forget. Neither Brando nor Olivier could have topped it. Watch it; you'll enjoy it a lot.