‘I warned you not to go out tonight’
Maniac is a 1980 American slasher horror film co-produced and directed by William Lustig (Maniac Cop and sequels; Uncle Sam) from a screenplay written by actor Joe Spinell (who also stars as the titular character) and C. A. Rosenberg.
The splatter special effects were the work of Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead; Day of the Dead; From Dusk Till Dawn), who also has a cameo role in which he gets his head blown off with a shotgun. Composer Jay Chattaway (Silver Bullet; The Ambulance) provided the brooding synthesiser score.
Principal photography began on October 21st 1979 and wrapped on January 18th 1980. With a minuscule $350,000 budget, many scenes in the 16mm film were shot guerrilla-style. Prints were blown up to 35mm for theatrical showings.
Originally considered purely an exploitation film, Maniac has since attained cult status and was remade in 2012 with Elijah Wood in the lead role.
Plot:
New York: A young couple is lying on a beach, unaware that they are being watched by an unseen person. Within minutes, both lovers have been slain by an assailant.
Frank Zito (Joe Spinell) then sits up in his bed in sweat, screaming after having a nightmare. He lives in a small apartment that is full of bizarre paintings, artwork and a framed picture of a woman decorated with candles and trinkets. Zito also owns a collection of mannequins, one of which is wearing the beach girl’s clothes and bloody scalp. He puts on a heavy winter coat and gloves and leaves the apartment…
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Cast and characters:
Joe Spinell … Frank Zito
Caroline Munro … Anna D’Antoni
Abigail Clayton … Rita
Kelly Piper … Nurse
Rita Montone … Hooker
Tom Savini … Disco Boy
Hyla Marrow … Disco Girl
James L. Brewster … Beach Boy
Linda Lee Walter … Beach Girl
Tracie Evans … Street Hooker
Sharon Mitchell … Second Nurse
Carol Henry … Deadbeat
Nelia Bacmeister … Carmen Zito
Louis Jawitz … Art Director
Denise Spagnuolo … Denise
Billy Spagnuolo … Billy
Frank Pesce … TV Reporter’s voice
Candace Clements … First Park Mother
Diane Spagnuolo … Second Park Mother
Kim Hudson … Lobby Hooker
Terry Gagnon … Woman in Alley
Joan Baldwin … First Model
Jeni Paz … Second Model
Janelle Winston … Waitress
Andrew W. Garroni … Jerry
William Lustig … Al – Hotel Manager
Filming locations:
Hotel St. James, 109 West 45th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York
Brooklyn, New York City, New York
Woodside, Queens, New York City, New York
Technical details:
1 hour 27 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1
Audio: Dolby Stereo | Dolby Atmos
Suggested double-bill:
Don’t Go in the House (1979)
