A strangler is on the loose in New York City, using disguises to get into apartments of unsuspecting women. This is similar to "The Boston Strangler," released the same year. Steiger rarely passed up a chance to ham it up and here he finds a role that is perfectly suited to his flamboyant acting style. Segal is quite good as the detective engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the serial killer. Remick is charming as a witness that Segal becomes romantically involved with. Heckart is funny as Segal's nosy Jewish mother. Dunn has a hilarious bit as a midget who tries to convince Segal that he's the elusive killer. While it is entertaining for the most part, the wrap-up is disappointing.

This is an amazing movie that is a dark comedy and a thriller at the same time. This was directed by Jack Smight and stars Rod Steiger, Lee Remick and George Segal. Segal is a Jewish detective who still lives with his mother and Steiger is a serial killer who had some problems with his mother and now goes around killing middle aged woman and leaving lipstick on their forehead. Remick is a witness who briefly saw Steiger but didn't get a good look and Segal and Remick begin dating. Steiger begins to call Segal and talk to him and also at his home and the captain tries to take Segal off the case. It's a really great movie that has some very funny scenes.

Watching serial killer Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) trying to enlist the trust of his prospective victims is what makes this film really interesting. Once these babes in the Manhattan woods let down their guard, then ... pounce. And like some deep-sea predator that changes its color or its shape to suit the needs of its prey, Gill changes his disguise from Irish priest to plumber to eccentric hair stylist to waiter, to suit the needs and desires of his selected middle aged female targets.Gill is a loner, but he still needs human contact. So, between killings, he engages in a phone dialogue with detective Morris Brummel (played well by George Segal). Gill also checks the newspapers frequently, to verify that his killings get noticed by the police and by society in general. The film is thus a character study of a fictional psychopath. But the characterization is consistent with expert profiling of the generalized needs and motivations of real life serial killers.Indeed, some researchers have speculated that the infamous Zodiac killer "may" have studied this film. In some ways, Gill's modus operandi is similar to that of the Zodiac who was known to be a movie buff. Further, the killings in the San Francisco Bay Area premiered just a couple of years after this film came out.Quite aside from its possible historical significance, the film is very well made. It conveys a well-written script, good cinematography, attention to detail in costumes and production design, effective pacing and editing. The background music at the film's beginning and end is beautifully haunting, and lends a tone of sadness, and therefore emotional depth, to the story. And, of course, Steiger's performance is so good that it alone makes the film worth watching. The only downside is Morris Brummel's nagging mother who quickly becomes grating and irritating.That this film has been largely forgotten is unfortunate. But it is available on DVD, and therefore can be seen by anyone who appreciates good movies.

During a hot Summer day in New York City, in the Theatre District around 44th Street, I noticed a large crowd and decided to find out what was going on. I noticed a man getting his hair brushed and make-up being applied to his face and it was Rod Steiger who was getting ready to walk into a theatre as (Christoper Gill),"W.C.Fields & Me",'76. Steiger played a very mentally disturbed actor who was abused by his mother and decided to perform perfect murders, playing roles as Priest, Plumber and many other roles, using plenty of lipstick. Lee Remick,(Kate Palmer)," Days of Wine & Roses",'62, looked very charming and sexy. Kate meets up with detective Morris Brummel,(George Segal),"For the Boys",'91, who is investigating all these murders. This film has comedy between Kate and Morris and it is a great entertaining film.