Episode XXIV: Maniac and it’s Remake – August 5th, 2013

“I Warned You Not To Go Out Tonight!”

On this show we review William Lustig‘s Maniac and it’s remake made last year, starring Elijah Wood. Maniac (1980) was a controversial slasher which had feminists picketing it for it’s misogynist cruelty and gore. Gene Siskel walked out on the film after only half an hour. It became one of the notorious video nasties. Beneath that sensation lies a clever story of a traumatized boy growing up into a lethal, murderous man. Joe Spinell plays Frank Zito, the killer in the film. His performance is disturbing. The original Maniac was made for well under $100,000 yet it had Caroline Munro starring in it and some of Tom Savini‘s juiciest gore effects ever filmed. We’ll discuss both films. Their high and low points. The comparisons and the contrasts. There’s a twist to this podcast. It’s the first time we view a film that Cash hasn’t seen yet. The educator will become the pupil on this 24th podcast. It’s another solidly packed 45 minute show filled with soundtrack music and audio clips of the scenes we discuss. Join us for Maniac: Then and Now!

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

1:58 The educator is finally being schooled…

3:00 The movie the L.A. Times wouldn’t run adds for…

4:35 Joe Spinell’s performance is as authentic as you can get…

8:12 The phone that wouldn’t die!

9:35 We start with a pair of binoculars….

13:00 The greatest headshot in horror history…

17:43 Caroline Munro charmed? We don’t buy it

20:00 The holocaust!!

23:25 Scoring the 1980 film…

26:30 How is a remake possibly going to do this kind of film any justice?

28:00 “THAT…is how a remake should be done!”

30:35 POV is done masterfully…

31:10 Subway nod and the attack that made us all wince…

32:36 My name’s Anna…(a much better relationship).

34:18 All the nods to the original…a very nice touch.

36:00 Why the mannequins?

37:54 “I’m going to tear you to pieces, Frank…”

39:07 Finally…a remake worthy of fans…

41:00 Kudos to Mr. Wood…

42:45 William Lustig closes her out…thanks for listening.

Maniac (1980)

Directed by: William Lustig

Written by: Joe Spinell and C.A. Rosenberg

Starring:

Joe Spinell as Frank Zito
Caroline Munro as Anna D’Antoni
Abigail Clayton as Rita
Rita Montone as Hooker
Tom Savini as Disco Boy
Hyla Marrow as Disco Girl
Kelly Piper as Nurse
Frank Pesce as T.V. Reporter (voice)

Maniac 2012

Directed by: Franck Khalfoun
Written by: Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur

Starring:

Elijah Wood as Frank
Nora Arnezeder as Anna
Genevieve Alexandra as Jessica
Liane Balaban as Judy
Jan Broberg as Rita
Megan Duffy as Lucie
America Olivo as Frank’s Mother
Sammi Rotibi as Jason

All video, pictures and audio used from Maniac (1980) is copyright © 1980 by Magnum Motion Pictures Inc.
All video, pictures and audio used from Maniac (2012) is copyright © 2012 by…
La Petite Reine (co-production)
Studio 37 (co-production)
Canal+ (with the participation of)
Ciné+ (with the participation of)
Blue Underground (in association with)

All media used for educational and review purposes. No reproductions please.