Book excerpt: During the 1970s, Larry Cohen's name was often linked with the new wave of independent film directors, such as Wes Craven, Brian DePalma and Tobe Hooper, whose early work promised a revitalization of a classical Hollywood tradition. But while Craven, DePalma and Hooper gained entry to the Hollywood studio system, Cohen remained on the margins, producing a wide variety of independent films that have influenced filmmakers and television directors alike.Cohen's best known works are Black Caesar and It's Alive, but many of his other films have been marginalized by critics and have suffered from limited theatrical release. His films are often iconoclastic, criticizing American society in the same vein as Robert Aldrich and Sam Fuller. Part One of this book focuses on his films and television work and Part Two consists of an extensive interview with Cohen and several of his collaborators, including James Dixon, Michael Moriarty and Janelle Cohen. A comprehensive filmography of Cohen's work is also provided.