The Brute Man (1946) – Jean Yarborough.

Striking post war terror icon Rondo Hatton plays the vengeful Creeper, hell-bent on righteously revenging himself upon all those he deems responsible for his terrible plight. This formulaic, yet entertaining enough 40s B-shocker presents the increasingly desperate activities of The Creeper (Rondo Hatton) as he morosely prowls the city's ill-lit streets, brutally breaking the backs of all those unfortunate to cross his lumbering path! The shrill Police Broadcast claiming that the elusive slayer is a 'tall, heavy-set man in a hat and coat' is almost entirely spurious, while the schmutter is correct, poor Mr. Hatton is clearly a frail, ailing gentleman, his suggested bulk, merely the conspicuous padding in his well-worn jacket. More melancholic, than macabre, one can't help but feel a profound sympathy for this solitary, infirm, and utterly unloved creature. Contrary to the braying naysayers, Yarborough's The Brute, like a great many pointedly recycled B-Horrors are flawed by their prosaically plagiarised texts, the fault lies NOT with the estimable Mr. Hatton, who arguably remains the sole reason to watch the film! Undeniably mawkish, I personally found the scenes between the desperately lonely Creeper and kindly piano teacher to be genuinely moving, lending The Brute a frisson of pathos that is so rarely remarked upon.