Maximum Overdrive

All of the interior scenes were filmed at De Laurentiis’ Wilmington-based studio facility, which at the time was called “DEG,” or De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. One of the iconic Green Goblin heads from the cab of the Happy Toys truck remained on the studio lot until the mid-90’s, when it was sold to a private collector.

All of the interior scenes were filmed at De Laurentiis’ Wilmington-based studio facility, which at the time was called “DEG,” or De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. One of the iconic Green Goblin heads from the cab of the Happy Toys truck remained on the studio lot until the mid-90’s, when it was sold to a private collector.

While shooting the scene when a lawnmower comes alive in a residential neighborhood, cinematographer [[Armando Nannuzzi]] was struck in the right eye, his “shooting eye,” by a large splinter of wood that had become lodged in the blade. According to camera assistant Silvia Giulietti, “We were shooting a scene where a lawnmower—the machine that cut the grass—was following a boy to kill him. And we put the camera on the ground with piece of wood beneath. To wedge, okay? I remember that Armando Nanuzzi ask to Stephen King, “Can we take out the blades?” But Stephen King say, “no, no, I like to see them.” Armando say, “But we don’t see them in the shot.” But Stephen King say, “No. No. Better that you let it.”<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> The special effects department had also suggested removing the blade for safety reasons, but King continued to insist that it remain, so the scene could appear more life-like. Nannuzzi was helicoptered from set and then flown to a hospital in Raleigh where he eventually lost his eye. Production was halted for brief period, but Nannuzzi returned to finish the film.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> After the film was released, Nannuzzi sued King, De Laurentiis Productions, and 16 others involved with the film for US$18 million. The suit was filed in New York, as King and many of the other defendants often did business in that state. The case was later settled.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/02/21/stephen-king-sued-over-injury/ab640b57-6bb6-4c51-84fd-c1754b8571de/</ref> Nannuzzi continued to work on films after his accident, but believed he would never again be considered for large budget projects, as producers wouldn’t want a cameraman with no depth perception.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> He returned to Italy, where he worked until his retirement in 1998. He died on May 14, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005811/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title = Armando Nannuzzi|website = [[IMDb]]}}</ref>

While shooting the scene when a lawnmower comes alive in a residential neighborhood, cinematographer [[Armando Nannuzzi]] was struck in the right eye, his “shooting eye,” by a large splinter of wood that had become lodged in the blade. According to camera assistant Silvia Giulietti, “We were shooting a scene where a lawnmower—the machine that cut the grass—was following a boy to kill him. And we put the camera on the ground with piece of wood beneath. To wedge, okay? I remember that Armando Nanuzzi ask to Stephen King, “Can we take out the blades?” But Stephen King say, “no, no, I like to see them.” Armando say, “But we don’t see them in the shot.” But Stephen King say, “No. No. Better that you let it.”<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> The special effects department had also suggested removing the blade for safety reasons, but King continued to insist that it remain, so the scene could appear more life-like. Nannuzzi was helicoptered from set and then flown to a hospital in Raleigh where he eventually lost his eye. Production was halted for brief period, but Nannuzzi returned to finish the film.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> After the film was released, Nannuzzi sued King, De Laurentiis Productions, and 16 others involved with the film for US$18 million. The suit was filed in New York, as King and many of the other defendants often did business in that state. The case was later settled.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/02/21/stephen-king-sued-over-injury/ab640b57-6bb6-4c51-84fd-c1754b8571de/| title = STEPHEN KING SUED OVER INJURY – The Washington Post}}</ref> Nannuzzi continued to work on films after his accident, but believed he would never again be considered for large budget projects, as producers wouldn’t want a cameraman with no depth perception.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/> He returned to Italy, where he worked until his retirement in 1998. He died on May 14, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005811/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title = Armando Nannuzzi|website = [[IMDb]]}}</ref>

During some of the studio production work, Wilmington was grazed by [[Hurricane Gloria]]. Winds and rain were very heavy, and the crews created a competition to see who could move from stage to stage without being blown over. Production was eventually halted again for a brief time while the storm passed and the studio lot could be assessed for damage.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/>

During some of the studio production work, Wilmington was grazed by [[Hurricane Gloria]]. Winds and rain were very heavy, and the crews created a competition to see who could move from stage to stage without being blown over. Production was eventually halted again for a brief time while the storm passed and the studio lot could be assessed for damage.<ref name=”slashfilm.com”/>