No Way to Treat a Lady

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No Way to Treat a Lady

Released Mar 20, 1968

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

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9 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Psychopathic serial killer Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) is obsessed with his late mother, and he targets victims who remind him of her. He dons various disguises to gain his victims' trust and always leaves his calling card, a red lipstick mark, when he's done. Christopher begins deliberately tipping off detective Morris Brummel (George Segal) on the phone, drawing the detective -- who has issues with his own overbearing mother (Eileen Heckart) -- into a game of cat and mouse.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

First-class thriller with a deliciously twisty William Goldman script and a deliciously twisted murderer.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 19, 2003

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Steiger is fine in tricky mystery directed by Jack Smight.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 25, 2007

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

A terrific mystery thriller that's both suspenseful and human. Segal is especially winning.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 6, 2005

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Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

Amazing performance by Rod Steiger

Rated: 4/5

Sep 29, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 5, 2004

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Rated: 4/5

Dec 31, 2002

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Ed .

No way to treat a filmgoer. Starts off strong with an enjoyable bouquet of characters (and a bit of caricature) from Steiger. He might likely convince even me to open my front door. Segal's character Mo Brummel is inspired. I never thought I would see Rod Steiger as a blond or a 'swish'. The film loses suspense and then plods along until the end, where it picks up some of the points it loses. George Segal and Lee Remick are two attractive people who, together, show no chemistry for each other. Eileen Heckart is a fine actress who doesn't show it in this film. Her Jewish mother character is one constant overbearing tedious note. I wonder if Morris Brummel was secretly hoping that Steiger's next persona would make Mom Brummel his next victim.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Daniel C. M

The first 30 minutes actually are pretty good, very funny and thrilling. Unfortunaly, it derails very fast after that mark: the comedy aspect becomes very nauseating and randomly splaterred across the script; the thrilling aspect also becomes pretty subpar, the whole movie really just becomes a giant drag to sit through, with a predictable and tiring formula. The only thing that manages to be good through the whole movie is the marvelous acting by both the protagonist and the antagonist.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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Audience Member

The movie is an underrated classic of Hollywood. Makes for a fantastic late night watch. Its a skillful mix of murder thriller and romantic comedy. A rare feat!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

This is one of those movies that exudes star power. Steiger is incredible as a chameleon serial killer, assuming disguises, accents and more while being chased by an earnest Seagal and a luminous Remick. Definitely a product of its era, it still packs a punch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

Brilliance by Rod Stieger makes No Way To Treat a Lady a must see for fans of black and white suspense. Steiger plays his role to perfection but Even without his presence the film flows smoothly and captivates the viewer.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sylvia Poppie: Is that one of your own wigs you're wearing? Christopher Gill: You don't look like Cleopatra, honey. Belle Poppie: Don't raise your voice! Sylvia Poppie: You homo. Christopher Gill: Doesn't mean you're a bad person.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Jack Smight

Director

Rod Steiger

Christopher Gill

George Segal

Morris Brummel

Lee Remick

Kate Palmer

Eileen Heckart

Mrs. Brummel

Murray Hamilton

Inspector Haines

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - You Wanted to See Me Again

2:12

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - That Girl Is A Gem

2:13

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - You're A Midget

2:12

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - Who Is She?

2:12

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - Don't Answer It

2:11

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - A Little Delicate Spot

2:10

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - No Way To Treat A Lady

2:08

No Way to Treat a Lady: Official Clip - Goodbye Mrs. Himmel

2:05

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Synopsis

Psychopathic serial killer Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) is obsessed with his late mother, and he targets victims who remind him of her. He dons various disguises to gain his victims' trust and always leaves his calling card, a red lipstick mark, when he's done. Christopher begins deliberately tipping off detective Morris Brummel (George Segal) on the phone, drawing the detective -- who has issues with his own overbearing mother (Eileen Heckart) -- into a game of cat and mouse.

Director: Jack Smight
Producer: Sol C. Siegel
Screenwriter: John Gay
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Sol C. Siegel Productions
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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