- 2 days ago
Step into the bizarre and unsettling world of Maniac, a pre-Code horror film that shocked audiences in the early 1930s. Directed by exploitation filmmaker Dwain Esper, this black-and-white cult classic blends madness, pseudo-science, crime, and psychological breakdown into one unforgettable cinematic experience.
Loosely inspired by elements of Frankenstein, Maniac pushes the boundaries of storytelling with its strange narrative style, eerie performances, and controversial themes. Often described as chaotic and surreal, the film has gained a reputation as one of the most unusual horror films ever produced during Hollywood’s early era.
A must-watch for fans of vintage horror, cult cinema, and pre-Code curiosities.
Loosely inspired by elements of Frankenstein, Maniac pushes the boundaries of storytelling with its strange narrative style, eerie performances, and controversial themes. Often described as chaotic and surreal, the film has gained a reputation as one of the most unusual horror films ever produced during Hollywood’s early era.
A must-watch for fans of vintage horror, cult cinema, and pre-Code curiosities.
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Short filmTranscript
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04:31You, an actor?
04:37But don't forget, my dear Maxwell,
04:42the police would be very glad to find you.
04:47I didn't mean I wouldn't.
04:50Of course not.
04:54In time, you may become a great man.
05:48This is the one here.
05:57File number 26941, Maria Altura, 24, suicide, carbon monoxide gas, not claimed.
06:42Perfect.
06:43But we'll have to work fast.
06:57Thank God.
06:59Gosh, them stiffs is getting heavier and more of them every day.
07:12Between the gangsters and the auto drivers, we don't need another war to carry off the population.
07:17You didn't even mention suicides.
07:21They even got the coroner working overtime.
07:32Say, did you see the butte that come in today?
07:36Did I?
07:37Yeah.
07:38She's the one that has the coroner doing the night work.
07:53What?
07:54Special autopsy?
07:56Must be.
08:09I wonder who that old Sadie Clark is.
08:13I must get her out of here.
08:16She must have oxygen.
08:27Unlock the side door and back up the cart.
08:31But watch out for the guard.
08:33And as soon as he's out of the way, we'll take her out of here.
08:49Yes.
08:50You say the corpse of the young woman has been stolen?
08:52Yes.
08:53And it sure has me puzzled.
08:55Well, I might thought I took it.
08:57Uh-huh.
08:58I'd have swore it was the coroner himself.
09:06There must have been a very strong resemblance.
09:09Yeah, he was a dead image of him.
09:11And talked like him, too.
09:13Oh!
09:13You talked to him?
09:14No.
09:15No, he was talking to some other old fellow there that looked like Sandy Claus, as I said to Jake.
09:21He had whiskers and bushy hair and his eyes were wild.
09:25It must have been some other two fellows.
09:29Could you positively identify if you saw the party?
09:32I wouldn't swear to anything now after being secured at the coroner.
09:38You know, Mike's description is very much like your friend Meyer Schultz.
09:43Tell me, uh, have you seen him of late?
09:47What?
09:48Why, Dr. Meyer Schultz does really have great research scientists.
09:52Why, he has formulated some amazing methods for preserving gland extracts
09:56in the most potent states.
09:59He's no body snatcher.
10:02Well, doctors and scientists often have some queer things in their minds.
10:07Anyway, uh, I'll look into it.
10:10Go easy, Jones.
10:11I wouldn't like to offend the doctor.
10:14Don't worry.
10:16I'll do nothing to embarrass you.
10:26Captain, what'll I do about this?
10:34Collins.
10:36See if you have anything there on Don Maxwell.
10:40Last heard from in this city.
10:44Uh, impersonations, vaudeville.
10:47Yeah.
10:48Okay, Cap.
10:50Let's see what they got in their files on Don Maxwell.
10:58With 24 hours complete rest, she will recover.
11:20Think of it.
11:22Life.
11:24Back in a body that's sought oblivion.
11:27It's uncanny.
11:30The possibilities terrify me.
11:38But not one word out.
11:43This is but a step.
11:47Cases like this has the element of doubt.
11:52What I want is a victim with a shattered heart.
11:57Yes, a heart.
12:02That I can replace with this speaking thing I have forced life back into.
12:12You will get me such a victim, Maxwell.
12:16It will be my supreme accomplishment.
12:28Not from the morgue.
12:30They'll get the speeches.
12:31I don't care where you get it.
12:34From the morgue.
12:35From the streets.
12:36The undertaker.
12:38That one!
12:41The end.
12:43Will justify.
12:45The means.
12:52The undertaker.
12:54Around the corner.
12:56That gangster shot today.
12:58Just the thing.
13:18Oh, my God.
13:40Oh, my God.
14:10Where is it?
14:12I couldn't get it.
14:20Coward!
14:26Oh, you fools!
14:28You have filled me in the greatest moment of my life!
14:35You have filled me in the greatest moment of my life!
14:37Yow!
14:40Oh, my God!
14:46Oh, my God!
14:58Oh, my God!
15:16I have it.
15:19You know my powers.
15:21You have worked with me.
15:23You have faith in me.
15:26Here, take this.
15:28Take it.
15:29And take your life, and I will give it back to you.
15:32My bleeding heart shall be in your body, and will live again.
15:37Only think of it.
15:39You will live.
15:43You will live.
15:47Live.
15:48Oh, no.
15:56Oh, no.
16:02Go me.
16:09Go on.
16:14Go on.
16:45Murder.
16:46Murder.
16:52Murderer.
16:54And of my benefactor.
16:59Horrible.
17:00You have so much to give the world.
17:09But has he?
17:13Why should the unconscious people
17:16the peace of the dead be disturbed?
17:21Isn't the spark that moves the maggot
17:23the self-same spark that moves the man?
17:28Preserving that spark in an individual
17:31is not important.
17:33What we do with the spark while we have it
17:35is important.
17:38In Meyer Schultz the spark is gone.
17:42In Maxwell, it lives.
18:15This may come in handy.
18:18But nothing to bring him back.
18:21I'd better hide him.
18:23Awe.
18:25Awe.
18:35Awe.
18:38Awe.
18:39Awe.
18:41Awe.
18:43Awe.
18:55Dr. Meyer Schultz, please.
18:58Why, he isn't here.
19:00How terrible.
19:02It's so very urgent.
19:04Will you tell him that Mr. Buckley is having positively alarming hallucinations?
19:10Why, he thinks he's the orangutan murderer.
19:13Imposed murder of the room morgue.
19:15Tell the doctor I must have some definite help.
19:19I'll go get him and bring him in.
19:25No, don't do that.
19:27No, don't do that.
19:57would be missed. Maxwell never would.
21:14It's ugly.
21:27Not only do I look like Meyer Schultz, I am Meyer Schultz. I will be a great man.
22:04I will be a great man.
22:27I will give him a shot to relieve the nerve tension. May I help him? We will try that first.
22:34Take off your coat.
22:35Take off your coat.
22:36Take off your coat.
22:48Take off your coat.
22:49Take off your coat.
23:03Take off your coat.
23:08Take off your coat.
23:22Super adrenaline.
23:25Take off your coat.
23:26Take off your coat.
23:50Take off your coat.
24:22And now.
24:23You'll feel better.
24:29Slipping.
24:34Doctor, it seems to be getting worse instead of better.
24:47Stealing through my body.
24:51Creeping through my veins.
24:55Pouring in my blood.
24:59Oh, dust of fire in my brain.
25:03Stabbing me.
25:06Agony.
25:09I can't stand this torture.
25:13This torment.
25:15I can't stand it.
25:18I won't.
25:20I won't.
25:21I won't.
25:23I won't.
25:36What was in that hypo?
25:38I won't.
25:45I can't stand it.
25:49Grrr...
25:50Grrr....
25:51Grrrr...
25:53Grrrrrr...
25:55Grrrrrr...
25:57Grrrrr...
25:59Grrrr...
26:04Grrrr...
26:05Grrrr...
26:22He's dead.
26:25Doctor, what have you done?
26:28This looks like murder.
26:30No, no.
26:32Not murder.
26:34My assistant.
26:37Shot himself.
26:41Shot himself?
26:43When?
26:45Why, I only saw him an hour ago.
26:48Why didn't you call the police?
26:50No, not the police.
26:52I wanted to bring him back to life.
26:55I wanted to experiment on him.
26:58In fact, I must.
27:03I can restore him.
27:06You shot your assistant just to experiment on him?
27:15I can�.
27:30I can't read it.
27:36I can't read it.
27:39Dr. Martin, I have often heard of your uncanny experiments, but this tops them all.
27:48But I think we speak the same language. Am I right?
27:55Well, I just don't get what you mean, same language.
28:00We have a common interest.
28:02When you bring your assistant back to life, his mind will do as you direct.
28:11You can do the same to Buckley, then he will do as I direct.
28:41Buckley saw that body. The police. If they should come, I must bring them back.
28:58I'll find that formula.
29:06Kitty, kitty. Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
29:14Oh, howdy, Doc. Say, a couple of my cats got away. You seen them anywhere?
29:19Of course not. What would I want with your cats?
29:22Oh, well, I didn't know. I thought maybe, you know, you might use them for, well, some experiments or something.
29:31Me, cats? Never.
29:34Oh, that is, I think too much of Satan to use cats for experiments.
29:40Oh, well, that's what I thought, you know.
29:43What's going on?
29:48Well, no harm, man, Doc. Well, so long.
29:51Thanks.
30:06What am I going to do?
30:09The police will be here any minute.
30:13I must dispose of a body.
30:16I'll hide it. I'll burn it.
30:20No.
30:22That can't be that.
30:25The basement.
30:45The basement.
30:46John.
30:57Ah!
31:00Ah!
31:14Wonderful.
31:14The same time.
31:15Dr.
31:15Satan, the gleam.
31:20You wretch!
31:23Stand between me and Farbathan, will you?
31:45He's dead.
32:00I've been here for a while.
32:03I've been here for a while.
32:06He's dead!
32:09He's dead.
32:10He's dead.
32:11He's dead!
32:17Why?
32:19It's not unlike an oyster.
32:21Or a crepe.
32:26But the gleam is gone.
32:42Let's go.
33:15Let's go.
34:03Let's go.
34:08Let's go.
34:10Let's go.
34:16Let's go.
34:29Let's go.
34:39Let's go.
34:43Let's go.
34:52Let's go.
35:08Let's go.
35:13Let's go.
35:43Let's go.
35:59Let's go.
36:02Let's go.
36:11Let's go.
36:41Let's go.
36:42Let's go.
37:03Let's go.
37:05Let's go.
37:12Let's go.
37:32Let's go.
37:50Let's go.
37:55Let's go.
38:05Let's go.
38:17Let's go.
38:20Let's go.
38:39Let's go.
38:43Let's go.
39:01Let's go.
39:10Let's go.
39:21Let's go.
39:32Let's go.
39:59Let's go.
40:01Let's go.
40:02Let's go.
40:06Let's go.
40:09Let's go.
40:12Let's go.
40:14certa Dathtonight.
40:15All right.
40:31All right.
40:33Let's go.
40:34Let's go.
40:37Let's go.
40:37Let's go.
40:38Let's go.
40:40Let's go.
40:43Put this back to me.
40:44I'll explain.
40:49THE END
41:14THE END
41:44It was in Meyer Schultz's eyes when he wanted to murder me.
41:50It was in Mrs. Buckley's eyes when she wanted to murder her husband.
41:56Alice had the gleam in her eye when she wanted to find me.
42:02Alice, she'd murder me.
42:05That's what she wants to do.
42:08I must get rid of her.
42:14But now...
42:16Mrs. Buckley.
42:17Mary, she will help.
42:22She must help.
42:26We are lost.
42:28You are right.
42:32But before I can get him back here, you will have to help me.
42:36Mrs. Maxwell is crazy and will be here any minute.
42:41She thinks that I murdered her husband.
42:44She wants to turn me over to the police.
42:46We must keep her subdued till I can get Buckley.
42:54Down in the basement is a secret vault.
42:58We will put her down there.
43:01You quiet her by jabbing this in her arm.
43:05And in the meantime, I will go get Buckley.
43:09It sounds all right.
43:12Except the fact she's crazy.
43:15It seems to me she has the right idea.
43:20So you feel that way too.
43:26Stay in there.
43:27I'll call you when needed.
43:35At last I've really secured living for us.
43:38We can travel or anything we want.
43:39Then you knew of the inheritance?
43:42Sure.
43:43I have one little job to accomplish.
43:45Then we can leave together.
43:47No doubt you were surprised at this disguise.
43:49Oh, no.
43:50Well, I wouldn't be surprised at anything from you.
43:54No, honey.
43:55You were here in time to help me.
43:56I knew there was a catch in this someplace.
43:59But spill it.
44:02In the other room, I have a crazy woman I've been treating.
44:07Ha, ha.
44:08So you've been treating.
44:10Quiet, will you?
44:11Now this is serious.
44:12Our lives are in danger.
44:14What do you mean, are?
44:16That's what I said.
44:17Now listen to me.
44:19I want you to help me take this woman downstairs.
44:24I'll give her a shot.
44:26Then you take care of her till I get help.
44:30Well, how about me getting the help?
44:36She's quiet now, isn't she?
44:39Yes, but she'll break out any minute.
44:42She's not afraid of a woman.
44:45So if she happens to get wild, just shove this into her arm.
44:50Now keep it hid.
44:52And all will be well.
45:06All right, Mrs. Buckley.
45:08We will go downstairs now.
45:10I have a special treatment room there.
45:32She'll give her.
45:34I'll kill you.
45:45No, no, no, no, no.
46:06Ha, ha, ha, ha.
46:07Ha, ha, ha, ha!
46:18Ha ha ha!
46:20Ha ha ha ah ah!
46:44Help! Help! Help! Help!
46:50Help! Help!
46:52Help!
46:55Give me...
47:13Look in that room, Parker. You come with me, Finney.
47:21I've got orders to search this place and take everyone in it down to headquarters for questioning.
47:29What is that?
47:31Nothing. A couple of my patients having a little argument.
47:35Take me down there.
47:36It won't do any good. There are a couple of wooden emergencies fighting it out.
47:41Man, you're crazy. What kind of a place is this?
47:44Oh, I'm crazy, am I?
47:46Oh, let me tell you something.
47:48Those women have to go in.
47:51I know you have to do some time.
47:53Oh, that's too real.
47:54All right, get it going.
48:09Come on, come on. Quiet down.
48:21What's behind this wall?
48:24Finney, tear this wall down.
48:26Murderous Satan.
48:28Threats beneath my ritual fire.
48:30What?
48:31He still has the gleam.
48:33Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
48:37Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
48:39Why do I keep crying there?
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