- 11/05/2025
‘Maniac’ (also known as ‘Sex Maniac’) is a 1934 American independent exploitation horror film directed by Dwain Esper. Loosely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's ‘The Black Cat’, the film follows Don Maxwell, a former vaudeville impersonator who works as an assistant to Dr. Meirschultz, a mad scientist attempting to reanimate the dead. When Don kills Meirschultz, he assumes the scientist’s identity, leading to a descent into insanity. The film features bizarre medical experiments, exaggerated psychological themes, and surreal horror elements, making it a cult classic among early exploitation films. Despite its low budget and unconventional storytelling, ‘Maniac’ has gained notoriety for its over-the-top performances and shocking imagery.
Credits:
Director: Dwain Esper
Producer: Dwain Esper, Louis Sonney,
Hildagarde Stadie
Starring: William Woods, Horace B. Carpenter, Ted Edwards
Screenplay: Hildagarde Stadie
Cinematography: William C. Thompson
#Maniac1934 #DwainEsper #ExploitationFilm #CultClassic
Credits:
Director: Dwain Esper
Producer: Dwain Esper, Louis Sonney,
Hildagarde Stadie
Starring: William Woods, Horace B. Carpenter, Ted Edwards
Screenplay: Hildagarde Stadie
Cinematography: William C. Thompson
#Maniac1934 #DwainEsper #ExploitationFilm #CultClassic
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The
00:30THE END
01:00THE END
01:30THE END
01:59Tonight, my dear Maxwell, I'm ready to try my experiment on a human.
02:23Yes?
02:25In the morgue, there is a lethal ghast suicide.
02:30An ideals peasant.
02:32Have you made arrangements?
02:41No.
02:42You know I do not work under prying ice.
02:51You will find a way for me to work without detection.
02:55It is your chance to show me your gratitude for my generosity and protection.
03:02I will never forget what you have done for me and will do anything to help you.
03:12But the morgue, dead people, suppose we should be caught?
03:18How many times have you told me of your impersonations that you never had a chance?
03:33Yes.
03:34Yes.
03:35Maybe your art will serve you after all.
03:40You have seen the coroner?
03:42Why not impersonate him?
03:45No.
03:45No.
03:46That's it.
03:47No.
03:48Impersonate him.
03:49The time has come when you can repay me for what I have done.
03:55It's horrible, I tell you.
03:57Working on the death.
03:58Trying to bring back life.
04:00It's not natural.
04:02You with your weird idea.
04:04What?
04:05Haven't I stayed here inert, dying dogs?
04:07Yeah.
04:08And even that miserable cat?
04:13And for what?
04:14For a measly roofing food.
04:16Because you took me in.
04:19When I was down and out.
04:22Once a ham,
04:24always a ham.
04:31You an actor?
04:38But don't forget, my dear Maxwell,
04:42the police would be very glad to find you.
04:48I didn't mean I wouldn't.
04:50Of course not.
04:54In time,
04:56you may become a great man.
05:24This is the one.
05:25Here.
05:26This is the one.
05:27Here.
05:28This is the one.
05:29Here.
05:30This is the one.
05:31Here.
05:32File number 26941.
05:33Maria Altura,
05:40This is the one, here!
05:58File number 26941.
06:01Maria Altura, 24, suicide.
06:05Carbon monoxide gas, not claimed.
06:10Not claimed at the drain.
06:14Got a bit.
06:17Not claimed at the drain.
06:21It's not going to be like a seal.
06:24In this case, the water is the water.
06:28Now in the drain drain,
06:33use a seal.
06:35Perfect.
06:43But we'll have to work fast.
06:58Thank God.
07:00Them stiffs are getting heavier and more of them every day.
07:05Between 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.
07:24Say, did you see the butte that's come in today?
07:36Did I?
07:38She's the one that has the coroner doing the night work.
07:41What, special autopsy?
07:56Must be.
07:57I wonder who that old Sadie Clark is.
08:12I must get her out of here.
08:16She must have oxygen.
08:18Unlock 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.
08:37You say the corpse of the young woman has been stolen?
08:52Yes.
08:53And it sure has me puzzled.
08:55Why, Mike thought I took it.
08:57Well, I just swore it was the coroner himself.
09:00There must have been a very strong resemblance.
09:09Yeah, he was a dead image of him.
09:11And talked like him, too.
09:13Oh, you talked to him?
09:14No.
09:15No, he was talking to some other old fellow there that looked like Sandy Clark, as I said to Jake.
09:21He had whiskers and bushy hair and his eyes were wild.
09:26It must have been some other two fellows.
09:27Could you positively identify if you saw the party?
09:32I wouldn't swear to anything now after being secured at the coroner.
09:37You know, Mike's description is very much like your friend Meyer Schultz.
09:43Tell me, have you seen him of late?
09:47What?
09:48Why, Dr. Meyer Schultz is really a great research scientist.
09:52Why, he has formulated some amazing methods for preserving gland extracts
09:56in the most potent state.
09:59He's no body-snasher.
10:02Well, doctors and scientists often have some queer things in their minds.
10:07Anyway, 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, see if you have anything there on Don Maxwell, last heard from in this city.
10:45Impersonations, vaudeville.
10:46Yeah.
10:48Okay, Cap.
10:50Let's see what they got in their files on Don Maxwell.
10:59With 24 hours complete rest, she will recover.
11:03I'll do it.
11:16Think of it.
11:23Life.
11:24Back in a body that's sought oblivion.
11:28It's uncanny.
11:31The possibilities terrify me.
11:33But not one word out.
11:44This is but a step.
11:48Cases like this has the element of doubt.
11:51What I want is a victim with a shattered heart.
11:58Yes, a heart.
12:02That I can replace with this beating thing I have forced life back into.
12:08You will get me such a victim, Maxwell.
12:16It will be my supreme accomplishment.
12:21Not from the morgue.
12:30They'll get the species.
12:31I don't care where you get it.
12:33From the morgue.
12:35From the streets.
12:37The undertaker.
12:38Get one.
12:40The end will justify the means.
12:53The undertaker.
12:54Around the corner.
12:56That gangster shot today.
12:58Just the thing.
13:10And the feet.
13:22The undertaker.
13:23It'll be full of free.
13:25TCULEMENT SAMANT creo.
13:25A antropel?
13:30okay?
13:32And it turns on to get absoluteierno quote.
13:35TCULEMENT SAMANT ensure.
13:37Let's go.
14:07Where is it?
14:12I couldn't get it.
14:20Coward!
14:26Oh, you fools!
14:29You have filled me
14:30in the greatest moment
14:33of my life!
14:35Oh, you fools!
14:37Oh, you fools!
14:38Oh, you fools!
14:39Oh, you fools!
14:40Oh, you fools!
14:41Oh, you fools!
14:42Oh, you fools!
14:43Oh, you fools!
14:44Oh, you fools!
14:45Oh, you fools!
14:46Oh, you fools!
14:47Oh, you fools!
14:48Oh, you fools!
14:49Oh, you fools!
14:50Oh, you fools!
14:52Oh, you fools!
14:53Oh, you fools!
14:54Oh, you fools!
14:55Oh, you fools!
14:56Oh, you fools!
14:57Oh, you fools!
14:58Oh, you fools!
14:59Oh, you fools!
15:00I 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 and take your life.
15:30And I will give it back to you.
15:32My bleeding heart shall be in your body.
15:35And will live again.
15:37Only think of it.
15:39You will live.
15:43You will live.
15:47Live.
16:00Live.
16:01Live.
16:02Live.
16:03Live.
16:03Live.
16:04Live.
16:04Live.
16:06Live.
16:14Live.
16:14Live.
16:14Live.
16:15THE END
16:45Murder.
16:52Murder.
16:55And of my benefactor.
16:59Horrible.
17:00You have so much to give the world.
17:09But has he?
17:12Why should the unconscious piece of the dead be disturbed?
17:20Isn't the spark that moves the maggot the self-same spark that moves the man?
17:27Preserving that spark in the individual is not important.
17:31What we do with the spark while we have it is important.
17:38In Myers-Shos the spark is gone.
17:42In Maxwell it lives.
17:45It lives.
17:46It lives.
18:15This may come in handy.
18:18But nothing to bring him back.
18:21I'd better hide him.
18:23in-many.
18:31In yes.
18:33For 30 Aids in-many.
18:36In that moment.
18:46Dr. 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 murderer of the room morgue.
19:14Tell the doctor I must have some definite help.
19:19I'll go get him and bring him in.
19:25No, don't do that.
19:44Meyer Schultz would be missed.
20:00Maxwell never would.
20:02What ông, let's take the room for the shutter light.
20:18We'll be still right at the shutter light.
20:21But no, he's the murderer.
20:22Sovereign kardeş is a low.
21:26Not only do I look like Meyer Schultz, I am Meyer Schultz.
21:32I will be a great man.
21:36I will be a great man.
22:06I will give him a shot to relieve the nerve tension.
22:16I will give him a shot to relieve the nerve tension.
22:28May I help him?
22:30We'll try that first.
22:32Take off your coat.
22:34Let's go.
22:36Let's go.
22:38Let's go.
22:42Let's go.
22:44Let's go.
22:48Let's go.
22:50Let's go.
22:54Let's go.
22:56Let's go.
22:58Let's go.
23:00Let's go.
23:08Let's go.
23:10Let's go.
23:22Super-adrenaline.
23:24Let's go.
23:26Let's go.
23:28Let's go.
23:30Let's go.
23:32Ah!
23:37Water.
23:40That will do no harm.
23:47And I will be rid of them.
24:02There, now. You will feel better.
24:12Slipping.
24:17Ah!
24:21There, now. You will feel better.
24:28Slipping.
24:33Doctor, it seems to be getting worse instead of better.
24:46Stealing through my body.
24:50Creeping through my veins.
24:55Pouring in my blood.
24:57Darts of fire in my brain.
25:03Stabbing me.
25:06Agony.
25:08I can't stand this torture.
25:12This torment.
25:15I can't stand it.
25:17I won't.
25:19I won't.
25:20I won't.
25:21I won't.
25:22I won't.
25:23I won't.
25:35I won't.
25:37What was in that hypo?
25:38I won't.
25:39I won't.
25:41We all had lots of pain.
25:43We all had to do it in approval.
25:45What's up?
25:47What do we have to do today?
25:49I won't kill you suddenly.
25:51Not a dog.
25:53They're almost all the kings of whateverций has.
25:55If you feel 137...
25:57I can't stand it tied Yakni.
25:59TheOC is an untry.
26:02They're trying to hang out today.
26:04He's dead.
26:25Doctor, what have you done?
26:28This looks like murder.
26:30No, no.
26:32Not murder.
26:34My assistant shot 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.
27:01If I can bestow him.
27:06You shot your assistant just to experiment on him?
27:12No, no.
27:19No!
27:20No!
27:29No!
27:30No!
27:30Dr. Martin, I have often heard of your uncanny experiments, but this tops them all.
27:49But I think we speak the same language.
27:53Am I right?
27:55Well, I just don't get what you mean, same language.
28:00We have a common interest.
28:03When 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.
28:30Buckley saw my body.
28:42The police, if they should come, I must bring them back.
28:51I'll find that formula.
29:03Kitty, kitty.
29:04Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
29:07Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
29:15Oh, howdy, Doc.
29:16Say, a couple of my cats got away.
29:18You seen them anywhere?
29:19Of course not.
29:20What would I want with your cats?
29:22Oh, well, I, I didn't know.
29:24I, I thought maybe, you know, you might use them for, well, some experiments or something.
29:31Me, cats?
29:32Never.
29:33Uh, oh, uh, that is, I think too much of Satan to use cats for experiments.
29:40Oh, well, uh, that's what I thought, you know, and.
29:48Well, no harm meant, Doc.
29:50What am I going to do?
30:09The police will be here any minute.
30:13I'm not the sport of a body.
30:16I'll hide it.
30:18I'll burn it.
30:20No.
30:22I'll kill you there.
30:26The basement.
30:50Satan.
30:57Oh.
30:58Oh, man.
30:58Oh, man.
31:00Oh, man.
31:04Oh.
31:05Satan, the gleam, you wretch, stand between me and Farbaiton, will you?
31:35I'm sorry.
31:45I'm sorry.
31:55Why?
32:18It's nothing like an oyster.
32:22Or a crepe.
32:24But the gleam is gone.
32:54It's nothing like an oyster.
33:01It's nothing like an oyster.
33:08It's nothing like an oyster.
33:13It's nothing like an oyster.
33:20It's nothing like an oyster.
33:25It's nothing like an oyster.
33:30It's nothing like an oyster.
33:34It's nothing like an oyster.
33:37It's nothing like an oyster.
33:52It's nothing like an oyster.
33:59Do you know how Dr. Meyer Schultz and his assistant Don Maxwell?
34:02Sure.
34:03They're sort of queer, I'd say.
34:05There's lots of queer goings on up there.
34:07Why, they even brought a dead dog back to life once.
34:10Well, that sounds very remarkable to me.
34:12It may be, but to my notion,
34:14those of the monkeys with what they got no business to
34:16gets queer sooner or later.
34:18Maybe you're right.
34:19I know I am.
34:21Well, I even heard a shot up there last night.
34:23Why didn't you notify the police?
34:25That's their business, not mine.
34:28I understand from your neighbors that your cats are making noise at night.
34:47Dr. Meyer Schultz has complained.
34:49Yeah, but he's been stealing my cats for his experiments.
34:52I know.
34:53I've been spying on them.
34:55How many cats have you?
34:56What's the matter, rats?
34:57Oh, thousands of them.
34:59Right here in my backyard.
35:00Thousands?
35:01Yeah, I've got a thousand cats, too.
35:03Wanna see them?
35:04What's the idea?
35:05You sell them?
35:06Oh, no.
35:08It's my own idea.
35:12I'm in the business.
35:20Fur business.
35:22Oh, I see cats fur.
35:24You'll get it quick.
35:26Hey.
35:27Where do the rats come in?
35:29Oh.
35:30You ain't as quick as I thought.
35:33Look.
35:35You see, I figured out that rats breed faster than cats.
35:42And cat skins makes good fur.
35:45Cats eat rats.
35:47And rats eat raw meat.
35:50That is, they eat the carcasses of the cat.
35:54So, the rats eat the cat.
35:56The cats eat the rats.
35:58And I get the skin.
36:03Well, rats eating cats.
36:04Well, that is news.
36:06Simple, ain't it?
36:07Say, by the way, did you hear a shot last night?
36:10Maybe.
36:11Maybe.
36:12I don't know.
36:13I don't know.
36:14Well.
36:15But you know.
36:16Right.
36:17Let's go.
36:18Hey, Maisie, we know your heart boils.
36:37You don't have to stay in the water 30 minutes to prove it.
36:41Oh, let me alone.
36:42I may not be decent, but I'm sure going to be clean.
36:44Say, if anyone is entitled to the first place in that bathroom, it should be me.
36:51Didn't I sign the register and welcome you all in secret, yes?
36:57If it wasn't for nervy little Alice, you'd all be sinking your weary bones into the soft recesses of some park bench
37:03with light, fleecy coverlets made by the great American press.
37:09Press?
37:11That reminds me, I have pressing business.
37:14Here's one for the book.
37:33Sandwich man pounding pavements walks out of a wallet with 42 grand in it.
37:37I'd like to find that man.
37:40Maybe we could sandwich him in.
37:41Can you imagine if the darn fool turned it in?
37:44His head must be a jelly bean instead of what they thought it was.
37:49Well, it sure was soft, all right.
37:51But would it be soft to land on 42 grand?
37:54Yeah, but listen, after he turned it in, people made such a fuss over him that he went nutty.
37:59Thought he was the almighty in person.
38:01So that's what being honest gets you.
38:03A nice, soft, padded cell in the bug house.
38:06La cucaracha, la cockroacha, da-da-da-da-da-da-da.
38:11It's pretty tough.
38:13Imagine the poor guy.
38:15I'll bet nobody noticed him all his life.
38:17And then, say, wasn't there some guy in history that spent all his life looking for an honest man?
38:24Sure, in his day, men were men.
38:28But today, they're too scared to be anything but honest.
38:31Yeah, but a brave guy can sure get away with plenty.
38:36Say, you must have been reading the papers.
38:39Or maybe you've been drinking crazy water and your head's stiggling.
38:42Be yourself, Alice.
38:43Playing the heavy, heavy don't suit you.
38:46Oh, it's getting me down.
38:48Always broke and never a break.
38:50Why don't you ditch that ham and pick yourself a rich husband?
38:55Rich husband?
38:56I've heard they come that way.
38:58Not very often.
39:00Often enough, but not our way.
39:02Oh, the girl has brains.
39:04You don't have to put a zipper on it.
39:05It's going to prove it either.
39:06Alice, listen to this.
39:09Down back to where personality impersonator gets lucky braids.
39:12Why, that's your husband, ain't it?
39:14Pipe down, will you?
39:16Let her read it.
39:17By queer quirk of fate, actor falls heir to Australian estate.
39:20This paper is trying to find him.
39:23He used to be around in vaudeville days, but we haven't heard much of him lately.
39:27Well, lucky ham.
39:29From now on, he'll have the company of a good age.
39:32We'll wonders every season.
39:35Say, I wonder if he's still with that goofy professor.
39:43He's inherited a fortune.
39:46You say a fortune?
39:47He never spoke to me of any rich relatives.
39:51He hardly knew of them himself.
39:53I believe it was his uncle in Australia.
39:57I am certainly glad to hear that.
40:00I'm sure he'll be blamed.
40:02Oh, but don't tell him.
40:04You see, I want to tell him the news first.
40:08Oh, that's only natural.
40:09Mrs. Maxwell, your husband, will be here at eight tonight.
40:15All right.
40:16넘ce to him.
40:25Oh, that's a matter of time.
40:37Oh.
40:38Oh, my God.
41:38The gleam.
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.
41:59She'd murder me.
42:05That's what she wants to do.
42:08I must get rid of her.
42:12But now...
42:15Mrs. Buckley.
42:17She will help.
42:22She must help.
42:26Oh, we are lost.
42:28You are right.
42:28But 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.
42:44And 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.
43:04And in the meantime, I will go get Buckley.
43:09It sounds all right.
43:12Except the fact she's crazy.
43:16It 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.
43:34At last I have really secure living for us.
43:38We can travel or anything we want.
43:40Then 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 are surprised at this disguise.
43:49Oh, no.
43:50I 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,
44:04I 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.
44:18Now listen to me.
44:19I want you to help me take this woman downstairs.
44:25I'll give her a shot.
44:27Then you take care of her till I get help.
44:30Well, how about me getting the help?
44:34She's quiet now, isn't she?
44:39Yes.
44:40But she'll break out any minute.
44:42She's not afraid of a woman.
44:45So if she happens to get wild,
44:47just shove this into her arm.
44:50Now keep it hid.
44:52And all will be well.
44:53All right, Mrs. Buckley.
45:08We will go downstairs now.
45:11I have a special treatment room there.
45:13I have a special treat.
45:25So,
45:25come back,
45:26we will go downstairs now.
45:26I'll buy her.
45:27We will go downstairs.
45:28We'll go downstairs.
45:29We will have to leave the room.
45:31I've finished the room.
45:32And a great day.
45:34Help! Help! Help!
46:04I
46:34Ha ha ha!
47:04Ha ha ha ha!
47:11Ha ha ha ha ha!
47:13Look in that room, Parker. You come with me, Vinnie.
47:16Ha ha!
47:21I've got orders to search this place and take everyone in it down to headquarters for questioning.
47:25Ha ha ha!
47:29What is that?
47:30Ha ha ha!
47:31I'm not seeing a couple of my patients having a little argument.
47:35Ha ha ha ha!
47:36Take me down there.
47:37It won't do any good.
47:38There are a couple of wooden emergeses fighting it out.
47:41Man, you're crazy. What kind of a place is this?
47:43Oh! I'm crazy, am I?
47:46Oh, let me tell you something!
47:48Those women have the game!
47:51I know you're supposed to be fine.
47:53Oh, that's too real!
47:54All right, get it going.
47:56Ha ha ha ha!
48:01Come on, come on.
48:03Quiet down.
48:04What's behind this wall?
48:07Vinnie, tear this wall down.
48:09The murder of Satan.
48:11The wreck of Vinnie Myers, you'll fire it.
48:13He still has to clean.
48:14He still has to clean.
48:19Ha ha ha!
48:21Why do I need crying then?
48:26Oh!
48:27What?
48:28What's behind this wall?
48:29Vinnie, tear this wall down.
48:30The murder of Satan!
48:31The wreck of Vinnie Myers, you'll fire it.
48:33He still has to clean.
48:35Ha ha ha!
48:36Ha ha ha!
48:37Ha ha ha ha!
48:38Why do I keep grinding?
49:08Why do I keep grinding?
49:38Why do I keep grinding?
49:50They drove me to it, I tell you.
49:54They drove me with hunger, with misery and humiliation.
50:00I only wanted to amuse, to entertain.
50:06But here I am, spent my life in perfecting enough that no one wanted me.
50:14No one appreciated me.
50:18I showed them Dr. Meierschor.
50:24A real impersonation.
50:32Meierschor.
50:34My supreme impersonation.
50:38He's done, he's done.
50:42He's done.
50:44AVAILABLE NOW
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