A series of muggings in New York by a sadist man who not content in stealing the women's purses, he leaves a signature slash on their left cheek. As this story begins, a woman who was victimized by the stranger is taken to see police psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Marshall. He recognizes his m.o. because Katherine Elio shows signs that are repeated by the other women before her.
Dr. Marshall is friendly with taxi driver Eddie Baxter, who sometimes takes him home. Eddie wants the doctor to speak to his sister-in-law Jeannie, who is going through a bad moment. As it happens, Jeannie is a friend of an undercover police woman, Claire, posing as a dancer in one of those clubs where women were paid to dance. Claire was romantically involved with Dr. Marshall. When Jeannie is found dead, the thought was she was murdered by the mugger as well. Marshall enlists Claire to help him arrest the mugger.
There are two plots in this film. One being the mugger himself as he goes attacking women, and the second one is a murder involving a pregnant girl. The film is based on a novel by Evan Hunter who wrote about cops and criminals, and adapted for the screen by Henry Kane. The picture was under the direction of William Berke, a veteran of Hollywood with a lot of movies under his belt. This is essentially a B movie which was shown on a classic cable channel recently. "The Mugger" is not one of the best of its kind, or for that matter a good adaptation of an Evan Hunter work. The identity of the mugger comes out of nowhere, to the viewer's complete surprise.
Kent Smith, a handsome actor is seen as Dr. Marshall. Mr. Smith was an actor that had it all but never achieved star status. He always delivered and was a welcome presence in any venture that required his presence. A young James Franciscus appears as Eddie Baxter. Also in minor roles one can spot George Maharis and Renee Taylor. Nan Martin played Claire.
Dr. Marshall is friendly with taxi driver Eddie Baxter, who sometimes takes him home. Eddie wants the doctor to speak to his sister-in-law Jeannie, who is going through a bad moment. As it happens, Jeannie is a friend of an undercover police woman, Claire, posing as a dancer in one of those clubs where women were paid to dance. Claire was romantically involved with Dr. Marshall. When Jeannie is found dead, the thought was she was murdered by the mugger as well. Marshall enlists Claire to help him arrest the mugger.
There are two plots in this film. One being the mugger himself as he goes attacking women, and the second one is a murder involving a pregnant girl. The film is based on a novel by Evan Hunter who wrote about cops and criminals, and adapted for the screen by Henry Kane. The picture was under the direction of William Berke, a veteran of Hollywood with a lot of movies under his belt. This is essentially a B movie which was shown on a classic cable channel recently. "The Mugger" is not one of the best of its kind, or for that matter a good adaptation of an Evan Hunter work. The identity of the mugger comes out of nowhere, to the viewer's complete surprise.
Kent Smith, a handsome actor is seen as Dr. Marshall. Mr. Smith was an actor that had it all but never achieved star status. He always delivered and was a welcome presence in any venture that required his presence. A young James Franciscus appears as Eddie Baxter. Also in minor roles one can spot George Maharis and Renee Taylor. Nan Martin played Claire.