The Strangler (1964): Cast & Plot
The Strangler is a 1964 horror film directed by Burt Topper, starring Ellen Corby as Mrs. Kroll, Victor Buono and Jeanne Bates. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- Burt Topper
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Bischoff-Diamond Corporation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Strangler About?
The premise of The Strangler without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Inspired by the terror that shocked the nation, the film follows an overweight laboratory technician whose low self‑esteem is amplified by a domineering mother. Driven by that pressure, he becomes a serial killer, preying on female nurses and turning his routine into a chilling spree.
The Strangler Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dead woman
- psychotronic film
- strangler
- psychological thriller
- male pervert
- police detective
- serial murder of women
- toy doll
- strangled with a nylon stocking
- dysfunctional mother son relationship
- nylon stockings
- police psychiatrist
+38 more Show fewer
- misogynist
- voyeur
- peeping tom
- based on boston strangler
- murdered in a shower
- homicidal maniac
- mother son relationship
- defeating a lie detector
- domineering mother
- maniac
- killed in a shower
- attacked in a shower
- serial killer
- psychiatrist
- nurse
- lab technician
- strangulation
- tyranical mother
- murder investigation
- murder by strangling
- police investigation
- ring toss
- brassiere
- dead body with eyes open
- pointing a gun at someone
- selfishness
- wheelchair
- fatal heart attack
- insanity
- medical laboratory
- heart disease
- scantily clad female
- doll collection
- apartment
- widowed mother
- begins with murder
- serial killer as protagonist
- unrequited love
The Strangler Cast & Characters
Ellen Corby leads the cast as Mrs. Kroll, with Victor Buono as Leo Kroll and Jeanne Bates as Clara Thomas. Directed by Burt Topper; 21 actors are credited in all.
- Director Burt Topper
-
Ellen Corby as Mrs. Kroll - Victor Buono as Leo Kroll
-
Jeanne Bates as Clara Thomas - Davey Davison as Tally Raymond
Also Starring in The Strangler
· 17 more- Wally Campo Eggerton
- Diane Sayer Barbara Wells
- Kenner G. Kemp Detective (uncredited)
- Fred Aldrich Apartment House Manager (uncredited)
- James B. Sikking Police Sketch Artist
- Russ Bender Dr. Clarence Sanford
- Benjie Bancroft Police Officer (uncredited)
- Byron Morrow Dr. Morton
- Michael Ryan Detective Mel Posner
- Baynes Barron Sgt. Mack Clyde
- Fred Fisher Detective (uncredited)
- Mimi Dillard Thelma
- David McLean Lt. Frank Benson
- Selette Cole Helen Lawson
- John Yates Intern
- Victor Masi Attendant (uncredited)
Show all 21 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Cranford Jack Rosten
More from Burt Topper
More films directed by Burt Topper: The Hard Ride, The Devil’s Eight, The Diary of a High School Bride and Tank Commandos.
The Strangler Plot Summary
What happens in The Strangler from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Leo Kroll is a mother-fixated lab technician who collects dolls and moves through life with the cold precision of a serial killer. Heerries the line between routine and danger as he becomes the prime suspect in a string of nurse murders, yet the police release him, unable to pin him down. The tension tightens when he fixates on Clara Thomas, the nurse who has been caring for his possessive mother in the hospital after a heart attack. In a chilling move, he hints at his next target and leaves behind a doll at the scene, a taunting clue that will haunt the investigation.
Full summary
The whole story of The Strangler, scene by scene
The Strangler Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Strangler.
How Well Do You Know The Strangler?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the profession of Leo Kroll, the film's antagonist?
The Strangler Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Le bambole del desiderio” and “Le Tueur de Boston”.
- Also known as
-
- Le bambole del desiderio
- Le Tueur de Boston
- Душитель
Seen The Strangler?
Movies Like The Strangler
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Boston Strangler, Strangler vs Strangler and The Strangler.
-
The Boston Strangler 1968 -
Strangler vs Strangler 1984 -
The Strangler 1970 -
The Hollywood Strangler Meets the Skid Row Slasher 1979 -
Teen-Age Strangler 1964 -
The Las Vegas Strangler 1968 -
Boston Strangler 2023 -
Night of the Strangler 1972 -
The Disturbance 1990 -
The Psycho Lover 1970 -
Tokyo Strangler 2006 -
The Mutilator 1984
The Strangler FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Strangler, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Strangler?
The Strangler runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was The Strangler released?
The Strangler was released on April 1, 1964.
Who directed The Strangler?
The Strangler was directed by Burt Topper.
More films by Burt Topper Who is in the cast of The Strangler?
The Strangler stars Ellen Corby as Mrs. Kroll, Victor Buono as Leo Kroll and Jeanne Bates as Clara Thomas, among 21 credited actors.
Does The Strangler have a post-credit scene?
No. The Strangler has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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