It’s another night of honors at the New Beverly for a rogue filmmaker whose achievements and perseverance in Underground Cinema has enriched film libraries and Netflix Queues everywhere. Eric Caidin and Brian Quinn’s Grindhouse Film Festival has set its sights this month on director, producer, and writer William Lustig, recognizing the pleasure his films have brought to many late night eyes for over three decades. A motley crew of devotees, including myself, who hold Lustig’s films in the highest of regard, will no doubt turn out for two of his crowned achievements, Maniac and Hit List. The bloody tale of savage killings executed on 42nd street prostitutes and other random New Yorkers is the icing on Maniac’s crudely-shot cake. The true soul of the picture belongs to the tortured layers in the serial killer performance given by cult favorite, Joe Spinell. William and Joe’s passion for the films they saw along 42nd Street helped to steer this collaborative effort into the direction that most late night moviegoers revered and lusted over. It was collaborations with artists such as this that helped make Lustig’s low budget labors of love accessible and memorable to the average viewer, garnering a following that has helped his films transcend the decades. A humble man, still somewhat skeptical of large turnouts for revival screenings of his films, Lustig remains a thriving force in Underground Cinema and he’ll bare witness to that at yet another packed house of eager fans come Tuesday.

— BlueBloodAngeleno

MANIAC AND HIT LIST AT NEW BEVERLY CINEMA, 7165 W. BEVERLY BLVD., LOS ANGELES. NEWBEVCINEMA.COM.