Maniac (1934)

In the shadowy depths of the underworld, Don Maxwell, a former vaudeville performer with an untamed knack for impersonation and a fugitive from law enforcement, finds himself entangled in the sinister machinations of Dr. Meirschultz. The doctor, a mad scientist with a chilling obsession for reanimating the dead, employs Maxwell as his unlikely assistant. Together they slip past morgue guards, using a groundbreaking serum to breathe life back into the lifeless body of a beautiful young woman. But Meirschultz's ambitions stretch far beyond this, harboring a living heart in a jar, eager to implant it within a deserving corpse. In a shocking twist, the doctor hands Maxwell a gun, suggesting he take his own life to become the new host for the heart. However, Maxwell, driven by survival, turns the weapon on Meirschultz instead, killing him and swiftly hiding the evidence. The sudden absence of the well-known scientist provokes suspicion, and Maxwell, in an audacious move, adopts the identity of his departed benefactor, complete with eyeglasses and a false beard. But the ruse becomes a twisted reality as Maxwell, embodying the mad doctor too convincingly, descends into the same madness that consumed Meirschultz. The narrative is further entwined with elements from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat," adding a layer of grim, gothic intrigue to this thrilling tale. This chilling journey of identity, insanity, and resurrection will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning the thin line that separates the impersonator from the impersonated.

Maniac is a horror movie featuring Phyllis Diller.

Maniac is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Pluto TV, Public Domain Movies and Tubi TV and it's also available on Cultpix, Fandor Amazon Channel, FilmBox+, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel , Shudder Amazon Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Maniac on Amazon Video.