The Zodiac Killer (1971)

Director:

Tom Hanson

Writers:

Ray Cantrell (screenplay) &
Manny Cardoza (screenplay)

Genre:

Crime | History | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

He may be a stranger... a friend... or the quiet guy who lives next door.

Plot:

The San Francisco area is beset by a series of seemingly random murders without motive or pattern. The police are taunted by phone calls and letters...

Plot Keywords:

Letter | Murder | Scream | Kill | Nudity

Cast

Hal Reed	...	Jerry
Bob Jones	...	Grover
Ray Lynch	...	Sgt. Pittman
Tom Pittman	...	Officer Heller
Mary Darrington	...	First Murder
Frank Sanabek	...	Joe
Ed Quigley	...	Tony
Bertha Dahl	...	Mrs. Crocker
Dion Marinkovich	...	Helen
Doodles Weaver	...	Doc (as Doddles Weaver)
Gloria Gunn	...	Marilyn
Richard Styles	...	Judd
Manny Cardoza	...	Hippy (as Manny Cordoza)
Norma Takaki	...	Lakey
Donna Register	...	Donna
Barbara Schillaci	...	Barbara
Edna DeHart	...	Susan
Bobette Holman	...	Man in Bar #1
Duke Wescott	...	Man in Bar #2
Robert Towne	...	Man in Bar #3 (as Robert Tubin)
Bill Coverdale	...	Man in Bar #4
Ron Collins	...	Man in Bar #5
Norma Michaels	...	Gloria
Tom Hanson	...	Paul
Dennis Thomann	...	Pete
Werner Maahs	...	Kelly
Dick Nedwick	...	Morrie
Emanuel Nedwick	...	Nedwick (as Manny Nedwick)
Brian Falkner	...	Ray
Elliot Katt	...	Copy Boy
Steve Harper	...	Editor
Stacy Videen	...	Julie
Marleen Parris	...	Housewife
Pat West	...	Housewife
Robert Hanson	...	Bobby
Jo Porrine	...	Sandy
Arthur Porrine	...	Bill (as Art Porrine)
Larry Hines	...	Black Man
Susie Knolan	...	Mrs. Simpson
Don Law	...	Cab Driver
Wayne Jeppson	...	Cab Driver
Ray Cantrell	...	Cab Driver
Dave Warfel	...	Bartender
Dave Carlson	...	Cab Driver
Gabe Balcar	...	Secretary
Hans Klein	...	Bodyguard
Aaron Koslow	...	Psychic
Bart Dempster	...	Elevator Murder
Sharon Ridgeway	...	Hitchhiker
Lundyne Johns	...	Spare Tire Murder
Pearl Leidy	...	Car Hood Murder
George Fryette	...	Mr. Quigley
Melissa Mosley	...	Nurse
William J. Kurdi	...	Doctor (as William Kurdi)
Richard Garrison	...	Dick (as Rik Garrison)
Louise Keene	...	Kay

Directed by
Tom Hanson

Writing credits
Ray Cantrell		(screenplay) &
Manny Cardoza		(screenplay)

Produced by
Tom Hanson	....	producer
Werner Maahs	....	associate producer
Matt Marinkovich	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Robert Birchall
Wilson S. Hong		(as Wilson Hong)

Production Management
Emanuel Nedwick	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Manny Cardoza	....	assistant director

Art Department
Ray Cantrell	....	props

Sound Department
Ken Carlson	....	sound
Dick Damon	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Ray Lynch	....	key grip
Arthur Porrine	....	assistant camera
Dennis Thomann	....	gaffer

Other crew
Paul Avery	....	consultant
William J. Kurdi	....	consultant

Distributors

• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2002) (USA) (DVD) (DVD-R)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2002) (USA) (VHS)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2003) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• Siren Visual Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Audubon Films (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• Academy Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Adventure Productions

Other Companies

• Filmic Editorial Service  post production

Also Known As:

The Zodiak Killer (USA) (video box title)
Zodiac (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Certification:

Australia:R

Trivia:

Producer/Actor Anthony Begonia's parents were classmates of one of the victims.

Quotes:

Jerry: Atlantis shall rise again! I am the super zodiac!

Movie Connections:

Version of "Zodiak - Der Horoskop-Mörder" (2007)

No Truth but Fun

ZODIAC KILLER, THE (1971) ** (out of four) A "what if" take on the Zodiac Killer who stalked San Francisco in the late 60's. The film is somewhat interesting but some bad acting, laughable dialogue and the overall slow pace really kills it from being any better. The violence is quite graphic and looks very realistic, which does help the film a bit. To date, there have been many films and documentaries on the Zodiac but none of them have come close to capturing the mood and spirit of the times the murders took place.

This film is available on DVD through Something Weird Video along with two other films: THE SEX KILLER (1967) and ZERO IN AND SCREAM (1970).