Title from disc label. For Narcotic: [Harry Cording, Joan Dix, Patricia Farley, Jean Lacey, J. Stuart Blackton, Jr.]. For Maniac: Bill Woods, Horace Carpenter, Ted Edwards, Phyllis Diller, Theo Ramsey, Jenny Dark, Marvel Andre, Celia McCann, J.P. Wade, Marion Blackton. Narcotic was originally produced as a motion picture in 1933, and Maniac in 1934. Includes original theatrical trailer for Maniac. Special features: running audio commentary by Bret Wood; selected correspondence from the New York Censor Board's file on Narcotic; excerpts from the screenplay for Maniac; photo gallery; and excerpt of the silent Italian film 'Maciste in Hell' (1924, 4 min.). Includes bibliographical reference. "The Dwain Esper collection"--Container. "K142"--Container
Contents:
Narcotic (1933, 57 min.) / as interpreted by Dwain Esper -- Maniac (1934, 52 min.) / Hollywood Producers & Distributors presents; story and continuity by Hildagarde Stadie; directed by Dwain Esper.
Summary:
Narcotic is loosely based upon the life of William Davies, an opium-addicted snake oil salesman. This film follows his downward spiral from an idealistic medical student, thru opium dens, a carnival freakshow and swanky drug parties, to his eventual suicide. Maniac is the story of a vaudeville impersonator turned lab assistant to an insane scientist. Based quite loosely on Edgar Allen Poe's The Black Cat and refers often to Murders in the Rue Morgue.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.