“Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) starring Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray and Elaine Stritch / Z-View

Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965)

Director: Joseph Cates

Screenplay: Arnold Drake, Leon Tokatyan; story by Arnold Drake

Stars: Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray, Elaine Stritch, Frank Campanella, Bruce Glover, Tom Aldredge, Rex Everhart  and Daniel J. Travanti.

Tagline: Recommended for Mature Audiences

The Plot…

Norah Dain dreams of being an actress.  In the meantime she works as a nightclub dj.  Norah’s life is turned upside down, when she begins receiving obscene phone calls.  The caller knows what she is doing daily.  It’s frightening to think that he’s stalking her.  Norah gets the police involved when a decapitated teddy bear is left in her apartment.

Detective Dave Madden is assigned to the case.  When Madden suggests that anyone, including himself could be the caller, Norah becomes concerned.  She learns that Madden is still dealing with the loss of his wife who was raped and murdered.

Could Detective Madden be Norah’s stalker?  Or someone even worse?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold Drake who came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay for Who Killed Teddy Bear had a career writing comic book stories.  Drake was the co-creator of many characters including The Guardians of the Galaxy, Deadman, The Doom Patrol, Havok, Polaris and others.

 The camera loves Juliet Prowse. Sadly Who Killed Teddy Bear? would be the last time she would appear in a feature film.  For the remainer of her career she performed on television and stage.

The film straddles the line between noir and exploitation.  And features some suprising scenes for its time.

Watch for a young Daniel J. Travanti, who would in 16 years gain fame for his role as Captain Frank Furillo on Hill Street Blues.

Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars.