Maniac
Dir: Dwain Esper
1934
***
Dwain Esper's 1934 Maniac is so bad it's...really quite good! I have to admit that among the awful acting, laughable 'Science' and odd descriptions of mental health issues (with wonderful upbeat accompanying music) there is so much to admire. It was made in 1934 and yet, I feel I've seen much of this before, that is how influential it has been over the years. The blueprint to many a horror/exploitation film, I couldn't help but find myself immediately fond of it. Fairly little known, it's actually responsible for a whole new genre of film and is very influential, not just in film either but in TV and comics.