Suspense-master William Goldman (“Marathon Man”) wrote the novel from which this bizarre black comedy was adapted. It's the extraordinary account of a plumber who kills a dowdy matron, a priest who kills a dowdy matron and a policeman who kills a dowdy matron. Actually they're the same man, a psychotic master of disguise brilliantly played by versatile Rod Steiger. The killer also gets his kicks phoning in clues to detective George Segal. All of New York trembles as a sixth strangling is reported in the papers. And the man with the makeup kit stalks another victim… the detective's girlfriend (Lee Remick). A suspenseful, macabre game of cat and mouse.
Critic Reviews:
- " A terrific mystery thriller that's both suspenseful and human. Segal is especially winning. " – Chuck O'Leary (Fantastica Daily)
- " First-class thriller with a deliciously twisty William Goldman script and a deliciously twisted murderer. " – Nell Minow (Movie Mom)
- " Amazing performance by Rod Steiger." – Lori Hoffman (Atlantic City Weekly)