Posts Tagged ‘Cap City’

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Physical Media Lives! So Does M.A.C.

Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

A few of you knew about me going in for a procedure last week (Thursday to be exact). I am recuperating at the moment, so this will be a brief update. Medically speaking, I’m doing fine – it was an ablation/cardioversion having to do with trying to tame my a-fib.

Flowers are unnecessary but good wishes always appreciated. I have the most incredible wife in the world, by the way – Barbara Collins is exactly who any smart person would like to have at their side in any tight scrape.

As the Christmas season approaches, I notice a number of my movies on physical media are popping up at good prices – some of these are steals. I’ll annotate each (they are listed here in no particular order).

For the casual browser who’s just happened to stop by I’ll mention that, in addition to some bigtime stuff like Road to Perdition and the HBO/Cinemax Quarry series, I have done (written and directed) a number of indie projects – seven features, two documentaries, and a handful of short films. Also, I’ve written a few produced screenplays that others have directed – The Last Lullaby, The Expert and recently Mickey Spillane’s Cap City.

Some of the prices listed below are sale prices and may not last long – so now’s the time….

BLUE CHRISTMAS $3.49 (Blu-ray) at Oldies.com

Blue Christmas is a micro-budget adaptation my novella “A Wreath for Marley,” which is essentially The Maltese Falcon Meets A Christmas Carol. We shot it in a week for ten thousand bucks on a single set with a largely local cast, who I think did a terrific job. We won some awards and scored some very nice reviews.

ELIOT NESS: AN UNTOUCHABLE LIFE (Blu-ray) $17.47 at VCI

This is my late friend Michael Cornelison’s signature role as Eliot Ness in a one-man show. It was produced and performed at a theater in Des Moines, Iowa, but we shot it movie style with only the opening and closing from a live performance. It appeared on Iowa PBS and also was an award-winner.

MICKEY SPILLANE’S ENCORE FOR MURDER $1.98 (DVD) at Oldies.com

This is a performance (actually a movie culled by me and editor Chad Bishop from a dress rehearsal and the sole performance) of a radio-style play starring Gary Sandy (who was one of the stars of Mommy 2: Mommy’s Day). Gary had performed Encore (originally written for Stacy Keach in an audio production) in several larger venues, but this captured the version done here in Muscatine, Iowa, with (again) local talent backing him. He did a terrific job, and so did they. Again, a micro-budget production that won awards.

MOMMY & MOMMY 2 (Blu-ray double feature) $16.99 at Amazon

These are the two movies starring Patty McCormack as a sort of grown-up version of her classic Bad Seed role. They were done at the tail end of the home video rental era, and were hits – with respectable budgets in the half-million range – in that market. Mommy also appeared on Lifetime in primetime, and we had a stellar cast backing Patty up – Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Brinke Stevens, Jason Miller, Mickey Spillane, Gary Sandy, Arlen Dean Snyder and more.

CAVEMAN: V.T. HAMLIN & ALLEY OOP, $9.98 at VCI.
My documentary about the cartoon caveman and his creators V.T. Hamlin (Iowa born) and the assistant who took over the famous strip, Dave Graue, is my secret take on Chester Gould and his assistant Rick Fletcher on Dick Tracy. Includes an interview with the great Will Eisner.

DEATH BY FRUITCAKE (DVD), $18.90 at Oldies.com

This is our most recent production, based on a novella in the Antiques/Trash ‘n’ Treasures mysteries by Barb and me (as “Barbara Allan”). It, too, is micro-budget, but like Blue Christmas we got a lot of streaming play and some nice awards. Quad Cities broadcasting legend Paula Sands plays Vivian Borne, Midwest superstar Alisabeth Von Presley (American Idol) is daughter Brandy, and Rob Merritt (star of Blue Christmas) is Detective Tony Cassoto. You can catch this free on Tubi with a few commercials and on Prime and elsewhere on rental.

THE TWO JAKES $12.49 (Blu-Ray) at Barnes & Noble

This is one of my favorite movies, the sequel to Chinatown; this release [The Kino-Lorber release, not the Paramount!–Nate] includes a commentary track by me and my pal Heath Holland.

Why, you may ask, have I spent so much time out of my career in doing smalltime projects? The thing is, I have a love for movies and specifically hearing my dialogue spoken that draws this moth to the flame. In a fairly successful fiction-writing career that began in 1972 I have had many options for film and TV, and the money was nice, but the satisfaction (when the bulk of those projects inevitably went south) was negligible.

Part of this is my fault for never leaving my smalltown Iowa home. The reasons I stayed are many, but among them was an understanding that my temperament, and what it would take to make it in Hollywood, were almost certainly incompatible. Doing this in a small-scale way has helped me maintain control and get things done.

Say what you will, I have wracked up a filmography that has allowed me to demonstrate, at least to some small degree, what I’m capable of. God bless collaborators like Mike Cornelison, Phil Dingeldein, Steve Henke, Chad Bishop and so many more – chief among them Barbara Collins – for helping me carve out this small, unlikely place in my CV.

* * *

Craig Zablo has announced the upcoming Quarry’s Reunion on his site with a lovely look at the cover.

Barb and I received copies of Antiques Web from Severn House in London and will share a look at it as we grow closer to the pub date (early October).

Meanwhile I’m beginning serious research on Road to Hell, which will include a chapter about Michael O’Sullivan’s harrowing experiences in the Great War.

That’s all for this week…my beautiful nurse is calling….

M.A.C.

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Mickey Spillane’s Cap City in Film Festival

Tuesday, May 26th, 2026

Mickey Spillane’s CAP CITY will be screened as part of the Iowa Motion Picture Association’s Film Festival on Saturday May 30 at 2:15 at the Fleur Cinema and Café (4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA).

Barb and I will be there to welcome you and chat a bit after.

That evening the Iowa Motion Picture Awards will be presented at the Palms Theatres & IMAX in Waukee, Iowa, 200 NE Westgate Drive, Waukee, IA 50263. 5:30 is Red Carpet and registration. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Cap City has been nominated for best screenplay (by me and director David Wexler) and best feature.

If you are within feasible driving distance (factoring in today’s gas prices!), and are interested in my work and/or Mickey Spillane’s, please consider coming to the screening. The Fleur is one of the best movie houses in Iowa or for that matter the Midwest.

* * *

The story behind David Wexler’s film is, in my view anyway, unique.

David has an impressive career as a filmmaker – check this IMDB link if you want proof.

David was impressed with the Hard Case Crime line of novels, and came upon the novella “A Bullet for Satisfaction” by Mickey Spillane and me.

How did that novella come about? I had looked for something in Mickey’s files of unpublished material, to put something more overtly crime-oriented in with his last finished novel, The Last Stand, which was adventure (not crime) oriented, and was somewhat shorter than usual for Mickey.

The novella was unfinished but substantial and reaction to it upon publication was good – it seemed like vintage Spillane, which was the hoped for result.

David thought the novella, in compact form, put together many classic elements of noir in one place. He wanted to make a film of it. I said fine, but only if I could write the screenplay. The deal came together in an eyeblink.

I wrote the script and David tweaked it and went about seeking funding. Reaction was excellent but nobody bit. Several actresses with name recognition liked the script, but wanted a rewrite in which the lead, a Homicide detective, was female. Could I do that? David asked. Would I do that?

As the co-creator of Ms. Tree, how could I not?

The gender switch actually improved the script, and we got very close with finding backers, but ultimately no cigar.

After almost three years of effort, David called and said he had to throw in the towel. Having just completed Blue Christmas for $10,000 by keeping the shoot short, using one set and not paying certain people (like the writer/director).

I said, “I think I could rewrite this to take place in one penthouse hotel suite where the murder occurs.” That would enable a credible micro-budget version of Cap City.

David gave me the green light to rewrite the script in that fashion, and he loved the new version. He reserved the right to rewrite as needed depending on the location. That seemed fine by me.

And that’s exactly what he did.

He called me to arrange for me to fly to New York for the Brooklyn shoot. But the two weeks he’d scheduled were the same two weeks I’d be shooting Death by Fruitcake.

So that’s how I came to have two movies shooting at the same time…just in case you didn’t think I was a real filmmaker.

Here’s the trailer:

M.A.C.

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Cap City in Des Moines – True Noir and Fruitcake Coming Soon!

Tuesday, February 10th, 2026

This coming Valentine’s Day weekend, Barb and I are Guests of Honor at the Star City Film Festival, being held this year at the Fleur Theater in Des Moines. It will include (on Saturday night) the first showing of the final cut of Mickey Spillane’s Cap City, which I adapted from the novella A Bullet for Satisfaction developed by me from an unpublished Spillane manuscript (it appeared in The Last Stand).

Here is the press release courtesy of Dr. Katie O’Reagan, the Star City fest director:

The Star City Film & Theater Festival Announces 9th Season opens at The Fleur Cinema Feb. 12th-14th

Feb. 12–14 at The Fleur Cinema & Café in Des Moines
DES MOINES, IA, UNITED STATES, January 21, 2026 EINPresswire.com — The Star City Film & Theater Festival returns for its 9th season with three days of independent film, live performance, and community engagement, running Thursday, February 12 through Saturday, February 14 at The Fleur Cinema & Café. The festival features more than 20 films, filmmaker talkbacks, live staged script readings, and special events in an intimate, curated setting designed to connect artists and audiences.

Founded and hosted by Katie O’Regan, the festival welcomes acclaimed author and filmmaker Max Allan Collins as Guest of Honor. Collins will participate in special programs throughout the weekend, including a live script reading and a feature film screening.

Festival proceeds benefit Lutheran Lakeside Camp in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Festival Highlights
Independent feature films, documentaries, and short film programs
Filmmaker Q&A sessions following select screenings
Live staged script readings
Valentine’s Day Red Carpet Event
Special appearances by Max Allan Collins

Select Schedule Highlights
Thursday, February 12
4:30 PM – It Isn’t JUST Politics (Documentary, 71 min.)
6:30 PM – Short Films Program
8:15 PM – The Gray (Short, 32 min.)
9:00 PM – Skating on the Razor’s Edge (Feature, 89 min.)

Friday, February 13
3:00 PM – Shorts Program (including web series, music video, and themed selections)
5:45 PM – Live Script Read: The Dream Café — written by Katie O’Regan
8:00 PM – The Painter (Feature, 110 min.) + Q&A with director Michael G. White

Saturday, February 14
2:45 PM – Song & Dance (Feature, 103 min.)
5:00 PM – Valentine’s Day Red Carpet Event
6:20 PM – Live Script Read: True Noir with Max Allan Collins
7:00 PM – CAP CITY (Feature, 80 min.) — co-written by Max Allan Collins
Followed by Q&A with Max Allan Collins
8:55 PM – Art Is Work (Short, 23 min.) + Q&A with Stacy Barton
9:45 PM – Awards Ceremony

Tickets & Information
Full schedule and tickets available at:
www.sacrednoisesociety.org

Barb and I will be there all day Saturday (with time out for meals and a nap) (or two). Probably Friday afternoon, too.

Those of you who live close enough to attend – we hope to see you there! A slightly (slightly) different version of Cap City was shown in August last year at the Last Picture House in Davenport, Iowa, as part of the Alternating Currents Fest.

I can say that seeing Cap City on a big screen in a real theatrical setting was an entirely different experience than getting advance looks at it on a computer or my TV. Very pleased with what my co-writer, co-producer and director/co-star David Wexler did with the material.

This is a long-in-the making picture, starting with a screenplay written with a budget in the low millions in mind. When fund-raising fell through, and David faced the reality of having to move onto the next project, I used Blue Christmas as an example of how a noir mystery could be told in a single setting. He gave me the go-ahead and I rewrote the script into one that takes place almost entirely at the crime scene.

I’m an old hand at finding a way to make a movie on a (sometimes ridiculously) low budget.

* * *

The response to Return of the Maltese Falcon continues to be overwhelmingly favorable and wide-spread. The only disappointment has been the lackluster “support” from Barnes & Noble’s brick-and-mortar chain. I get sporadic reports both that a copy or two are in stock or not at all – the latter includes the Cedar Rapids Barnes & Noble, where I have done business for decades and have done numerous book-signings.

This is not the store’s fault – they simply were sent no copies by corporate. They have since, I’ve learned, ordered copies.

I am glad to say rival chain Books-a-Million (aka BAM!) are doing a better job of it. Note the two unbiased shoppers below at the Davenport BAM! These two, coincidentally, closely resemble my grandson Sam and granddaughter Lucy.

And the Davenport Barnes & Noble has ordered a substantial number, God bless ‘em.

Do please continue to send photos of Return of the Maltese Falcon seen “out in the wild,” particularly at Barnes & Noble.

Another reader sent this, spotted at a Texarkana, Texas BAM!.

* * *

The worldwide release of True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak is imminent: Feb. 17. The 4-CD set can be ordered at Amazon.

* * *

Even for somebody prolific like me, it’s unusual when two major releases debut the same day. But True Noir comes out Feb. 17, as I said, and so does Death By Fruitcake, which will hit DVD on the same date. There will be no Blu-ray (that I know of), so this is your physical media way to get (and support) our little film, based on the Antiques series written by Barb and me.

* * *

In other Nate Heller news, we have a lovely little write-up from Ed Catto about the Hard Case Crime title, The Big Bundle.

I have just proofed, corrected and approved the typeset Quarry’s Return for editor Charles Ardai at Hard Case Crime. That doesn’t come out till November – the 50th anniversary Quarry.

And I’ve also just signed to do two more novels for Hard Case Crime – what they will be, I won’t tell you.

Finally, a few days ago Barb and I delivered Antiques Web to our publisher, Severn House.

M.A.C.

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Best Crime Novel Honor & Christmas Gifts for Everybody!

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Some announcements as we head toward Christmas 2025, after which I have some presents for you to unwrap.

Barb and I have been invited to be guests of honor at this year’s Star City Film Festival, where last year Death by Fruitcake won Best Feature. Mickey Spillane’s Cap City, which I co-produced and wrote, will be an official entry.

Last year we went to Waukon, Iowa, for the fest; but this year festival chair Dr. Katie O’Regan is moving the proceedings to Des Moines and the terrific Fleur Theatre, which is very supportive of Iowa filmmakers. More about this later, but if you’re within driving distance, mark your calendar for Valentine’s Day weekend 2026.

I’m pleased to say that the great Borg web site has named Baby, It’s Murder the Best Crime Novel of the Year. If you go to the link, you’ll need to scroll down to read this nice honor for my final Mike Hammer collaboration developed from unpublished Spillane material.

And out of the blue comes this interesting review of Seduction of the Innocent, the third of the Jack and Maggie Starr mysteries (and likely the last).

If you haven’t seen my movie Blue Christmas, and would like some low-budget holiday cheer, it’s available on various streaming services, most recently You Tube.

* * *

Now my Christmas presents for all of you who stop by here. These are performances from some of my favorite musical artists – many of you will be familiar with most if not all. But I encourage everyone to enjoy these, possibly with some rum-spiked egg nog.

This rendition of “Lazy River” starts out slow but really, really builds, as Bobby Darin so often did. Stick around for the whole performance and you’ll likely understand my obsession with BD that dates back to when I was eleven years old.

Introducing the Beatles doing “Ticket to Ride,” which I loved performing with the Daybreakers and Crusin’.

If you’ve never witnessed Vanilla Fudge in action, here’s their mind-boggling classic appearance on Ed Sullivan with “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”

What James Bond fan can resist a great live performance of “Thunderball” by Tom Jones?

The most underrated female artist of the ‘80s – Kim Wilde. Feast your eyes and ears.

This, my friends is rock ‘n’ from the king – Elvis…Costello.

And here is Debbie Harry on The Midnight Special making America fall in love with her:

And my favorite non-Beatles British invasion group in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame performance.

Finally, last and least, here are the Daybreakers in 2008, the original band regrouped for their induction into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Say what you will about the goofy song I wrote in 1967 – which became the only national release by my first band, the Daybreakers – it did go on to be one of the most anthologized garage band singles, covered by bands around the world, including (but not limited to) The Outta Place, The Tellers and the X-Ray Harpoons.

You’re welcome. Now, let’s have a better 2026, everybody!

M.A.C.

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