The film was shot on the streets of New York in the early 1980s, capturing the city during one of the most dangerous and vibrant periods of its history. The story follows Detective Fred Williams, who hunts a serial killer with a peculiar habit of speaking in a raspy voice reminiscent of a duck's quack. The killer roams Manhattan, attacking women with brutal methods, including the infamous scene with a razor blade and an eyeball. The production fully utilizes the seedy atmosphere of Times Square and the contrasting prestigious avenues of midtown Manhattan, painting a portrait of a city where danger lurked on every corner. Director Lucio Fulci, known for his extreme Italian horror films, brought his signature visual style to real New York locations, giving the film a documentary-like rawness that studio sets cannot replicate. Since then, the film has become a cult favorite among fans of the giallo genre and exploitation cinema.

Filming Locations:

Park Avenue (between East 52nd and 53rd Streets)

In the Film

Scene where the killer pursues a victim through the streets of the affluent Midtown Manhattan neighborhood, with the polished facades of Park Avenue creating an unsettling backdrop for the violence. The juxtaposition of the refined district and the brutal murders heightens the sense of unease and underscores that no place in the city is safe from the killer with the duck-like voice.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on the stretch of Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan between East 52nd and 53rd Streets, where the street is surrounded by dense development of corporate skyscrapers, expensive residential buildings, and high-end hotels, which in the early 1980s reflected the wealthy side of Manhattan, sharply contrasting with the more seedy scenes shot in other parts of the city.

Times Square (Broadway, 7th Avenue, West 42nd and 47th Streets)

In the Film

Scene where the gritty streets of Times Square, bathed in neon light, are shown in focus, showcasing the famous 1980s atmosphere with adult entertainment venues and overall urban decay. This location underscores the themes of moral degradation and danger lurking in plain sight among the crowds and flashing lights of one of the world's most recognizable intersections.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the Times Square area of Midtown Manhattan, centered on the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between West 42nd and 47th Streets, where in 1982 the square was far less touristy and was notorious for adult theaters, peep shows, and street crime, reflecting the seedy side of New York that the film exploits throughout its screen time.