I have been a fan of the Maniac Cop trilogy since I was a kid, and had a lot of fun digging into all three of the movies for a trio of What Happened to This Horror Movie? videos. (Here are the links: Maniac Cop, Maniac Cop 2, Maniac Cop 3.) Another fan is author Paul Downey – and he’s such a fan of the trilogy, he has written a 261-page book about it! Now available from Harker Press, Downey’s book is called This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop, and you can pick up a copy – hardcover, paperback, or Kindle – on Amazon.
Description
In 1988, audiences were introduced to Officer Matt Cordell, a wronged cop turned slasher-avenger who stalked the streets of New York City and carved out a permanent place in horror history. Two sequels and nearly four decades later, Cordell’s status as a genre icon remains firmly cemented.
Now, author Paul Downey takes readers deep inside the making and legacy of the Maniac Cop series with his new book, This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop. Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews, Downey delivers the most comprehensive chronicle of the trilogy ever assembled.
Packed with never-before-seen photos, untold stories, and firsthand accounts from the filmmakers and cast, the book offers an unflinching look at the creative triumphs, behind-the-scenes conflicts, and enduring appeal of one of horror cinema’s most unique franchises. The volume also features a capstone discussion with legendary trilogy director William Lustig, reflecting on the films’ origins, challenges, and legacy.
Part production history, part cultural retrospective, and part celebration of independent genre filmmaking, This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop is essential reading for horror fans, film historians, and anyone fascinated by the gritty, no-holds-barred era of exploitation cinema.
Highlights
Highlights of the book include:
- Newly uncovered info on the films’ special effects and makeup
- Harrowing stories of stunts gone wrong
- Revealing details on deleted scenes and alternate endings
- An exploration of the original, unmade version of Maniac Cop 3
- Coverage of the long-developing Maniac Cop remake
- A close examination of the recent Maniac Cop novelizations
- A warm and heartfelt tribute to genre icon Robert Z’Dar
Are you a Maniac Cop fan, and will you be buying a copy of This City is Going to Hell: The Making of Maniac Cop? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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