Max Allan Collins

Arguably the most influential person in American comics, Will Eisner, as artist, entrepreneur, innovator, and visual storyteller, enjoyed a career that encompassed comic books from their early beginnings in the 1930s to their development as graphic novels in the 1990s. During his sixty-year-plus career, Eisner introduced the now-traditional mode of comic book production; championed mature, sophisticated storytelling; was an early advocate for using the medium as a tool for education; pioneered the now-popular graphic novel, and served as inspiration for generations of artists. Without a doubt, Will Eisner was the godfather of the American comic book.

In this documentary, filmmaker Max Allan Collins chronicles the life and storied career of pioneering cartoon artist Vincent T. Hamlin, creator of the long-running cartoon strip "Alley Oop." Interviews with Hamlin's contemporaries, such as his devoted assistant Dave Graue and fellow cartoonist Will Eisner, illuminate Hamlin's drive as well as his particular genius that helped establish "Alley Oop" as an American pop-culture icon.

Patty McCormack's "Mommy" is psychotically obsessed with her 12-year-old daughter Jessica Ann -- so much so that when she finds out Jessica didn't get the "Student of the Year" award again, she solves the problem by murdering the teacher who didn't recommend her for it. She dismisses the killing as inconsequential ("a minor accident"), but the homicide detective assigned to the case suspects her immediately, and an insurance investigator who also suspects her tries to get close to Jessica Ann to find out what really happened.

Patty McCormack's "Mommy" is psychotically obsessed with her 12-year-old daughter Jessica Ann -- so much so that when she finds out Jessica didn't get the "Student of the Year" award again, she solves the problem by murdering the teacher who didn't recommend her for it. She dismisses the killing as inconsequential ("a minor accident"), but the homicide detective assigned to the case suspects her immediately, and an insurance investigator who also suspects her tries to get close to Jessica Ann to find out what really happened.

Chicago 1941. Meet private eye Richard Stone, celebrating at his Christmas Even office party after beating the draft by way of a bribe. He's a disappointment to his secretary and main squeeze, Katie Crocket, whose brother Ben is fighting overseas; and his honest young employee joey Ernest is guilt-ridden over all the divorce-racket keyhole peeping. Worst of all, his equally sleazy partner, Jake Marley, was murdered a year ago tonight and Stone didn't bother solving Jake's ho-ho homicide.

Chicago 1941. Meet private eye Richard Stone, celebrating at his Christmas Even office party after beating the draft by way of a bribe. He's a disappointment to his secretary and main squeeze, Katie Crocket, whose brother Ben is fighting overseas; and his honest young employee joey Ernest is guilt-ridden over all the divorce-racket keyhole peeping. Worst of all, his equally sleazy partner, Jake Marley, was murdered a year ago tonight and Stone didn't bother solving Jake's ho-ho homicide.

It was a brutal murder that sent deranged psychopath Martin Kagan to prison. It was a naive deputy warden that granted him a stay of execution. Now, the police department's tactical defence instructor, John Lomax, wants revenge for his beloved sister's death.

Price, a former hitman, is struggling to cope with retirement. He left the assassination business to live the "easy life." However, retirement arrived with its own agenda. It was not the instant peace and calm that Price expected. Rather, it was emptiness, boredom, and, worst of all, restlessness. The Last Lullaby plummets Price back into his old life and forces him into a corner from which he may never escape. Price's old ways no longer work for him when his heart opens, and he finds life beyond his profession. The tension finally boils, as Price must decide to close himself off again or open himself up to a world beyond his control.

After escaping a lethal injection for the murders Mommy (Patty McCormack) had committed, she is given a special implant in her arm that will keep her from having homicidal urges. However, since she still tries to see her daughter and other murders are continuing, it doesn't look very good for Mommy.

After escaping a lethal injection for the murders Mommy (Patty McCormack) had committed, she is given a special implant in her arm that will keep her from having homicidal urges. However, since she still tries to see her daughter and other murders are continuing, it doesn't look very good for Mommy.

Michael Cornelison portrays legendary real-life lawman Eliot Ness in this fascinating one-man show that offers a look at the ups and downs of the courageous gangbuster's life and career. As he tracks down criminals and crooked cops, Ness's diligence leads to his capture of the country's first serial killer. Written by Max Allan Collins (creator of the graphic novel Road to Perdition), the show received an Edgar nomination.

Michael Cornelison portrays legendary real-life lawman Eliot Ness in this fascinating one-man show that offers a look at the ups and downs of the courageous gangbuster's life and career. As he tracks down criminals and crooked cops, Ness's diligence leads to his capture of the country's first serial killer. Written by Max Allan Collins (creator of the graphic novel Road to Perdition), the show received an Edgar nomination.

Michael Cornelison portrays legendary real-life lawman Eliot Ness in this fascinating one-man show that offers a look at the ups and downs of the courageous gangbuster's life and career. As he tracks down criminals and crooked cops, Ness's diligence leads to his capture of the country's first serial killer. Written by Max Allan Collins (creator of the graphic novel Road to Perdition), the show received an Edgar nomination.

Documentary about the life and work of mystery writer Mickey Spillane.

Documentary about the life and work of mystery writer Mickey Spillane.

During the dress rehearsal for a festive Christmas play in small-town Serenity, Iowa, star Louise Lamont topples over after a bite of prop pastry. Since the frosty actress had earned plenty of enemies through her offstage dramatics, the cast of suspects is longer than Santa's "Naughty or Nice" list. Prop mistress Brandy Borne and her diva-turned-director mother, Vivian-assisted by their savvy shih tzu, Sushi-must solve this fruitcake fatality before it's curtains for anyone else.

During the dress rehearsal for a festive Christmas play in small-town Serenity, Iowa, star Louise Lamont topples over after a bite of prop pastry. Since the frosty actress had earned plenty of enemies through her offstage dramatics, the cast of suspects is longer than Santa's "Naughty or Nice" list. Prop mistress Brandy Borne and her diva-turned-director mother, Vivian-assisted by their savvy shih tzu, Sushi-must solve this fruitcake fatality before it's curtains for anyone else.

In this documentary, filmmaker Max Allan Collins chronicles the life and storied career of pioneering cartoon artist Vincent T. Hamlin, creator of the long-running cartoon strip "Alley Oop." Interviews with Hamlin's contemporaries, such as his devoted assistant Dave Graue and fellow cartoonist Will Eisner, illuminate Hamlin's drive as well as his particular genius that helped establish "Alley Oop" as an American pop-culture icon.

In this documentary, filmmaker Max Allan Collins chronicles the life and storied career of pioneering cartoon artist Vincent T. Hamlin, creator of the long-running cartoon strip "Alley Oop." Interviews with Hamlin's contemporaries, such as his devoted assistant Dave Graue and fellow cartoonist Will Eisner, illuminate Hamlin's drive as well as his particular genius that helped establish "Alley Oop" as an American pop-culture icon.

Young armed robbers seeking money for drugs burst into a convenience store, and a simple hold-up escalates into a wholesale homicide! Assembled entirely from security camera, squad-car cam and news team footage... digitally enhanced... REAL TIME is a unique experiment in non-stop terror that takes YOU inside a hostage crisis.

Young armed robbers seeking money for drugs burst into a convenience store, and a simple hold-up escalates into a wholesale homicide! Assembled entirely from security camera, squad-car cam and news team footage... digitally enhanced... REAL TIME is a unique experiment in non-stop terror that takes YOU inside a hostage crisis.

Edited from two dress rehearsals and a live stage performance, Encore for Murder is a Golden Age Radio-style production of the Spillane/Collins script produced in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Clearwater, Florida, starring Gary Sandy (WKRP In Cincinatti) as Mike Hammer.

Edited from two dress rehearsals and a live stage performance, Encore for Murder is a Golden Age Radio-style production of the Spillane/Collins script produced in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Clearwater, Florida, starring Gary Sandy (WKRP In Cincinatti) as Mike Hammer.

A retired hitman returns to rescue a kidnapped girl.